Mission Design / Trajectory Design Group Lead

Mission Design / Trajectory Design Group Lead 

About Intuitive Machines 

Intuitive Machines is an innovative and cutting-edge space company making cislunar space accessible to both public and private customers. Our mission is to further science and exploration, communications, and economic progress from the Earth to the Moon and beyond. With the first commercial lunar landing in history, multiple NASA lunar missions in development, and additional private missions on our manifest, we pride ourselves in supporting our customers and the nation in paving the way to return humans to the surface of the Moon. Our world-class team includes experts in all aspects of spacecraft subsystems design, development, and test, on-orbit operations, and safety. 

About The Position 

As a Mission Design / Trajectory Design Group Lead, you will lead a team to developing optimal trajectories and mission plans for various space missions, including lunar landings, interplanetary missions, and satellite deployments.  In addition, this position will serve as Supervisor for the Mission Design group within the Flight Dynamics division at Intuitive Machines.  The applicant will work closely with multi-disciplinary teams to define mission objectives, model and simulate spacecraft dynamics, and develop robust trajectory solutions to ensure mission success. 

Responsibilities: 

• As Mission Group Lead Engineer you will oversee and manage the team responsible for the development and analysis of mission and trajectory designs for lunar, deep space, and Earth-orbit missions.
• Develop and refine high-fidelity models of spacecraft dynamics, including orbital mechanics, propulsion, and attitude control systems.
• Perform mission feasibility studies and trade-off analyses, ensuring optimal mission profiles that meet scientific and technical goals.
• Simulate and optimize mission trajectories, accounting for constraints such as fuel efficiency, time, mission duration, and safety margins.
• Support mission planning, navigation, and control strategy development, ensuring that trajectory design aligns with overall GN&C objectives.
• Collaborate with spacecraft design teams to integrate trajectory solutions with propulsion, thermal, and power subsystems.
• Conduct failure analyses and develop contingency trajectories in response to potential mission anomalies.
• Work with flight dynamics teams to ensure accurate execution of mission plans and support real-time trajectory corrections during mission operations.
• Interface with customers, mission partners, and stakeholders to communicate mission design solutions and ensure alignment with overall mission goals.
• Contribute to technical proposals and presentations for future missions and contract bids.

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field; Ph.D. is a plus.
• 10+ years of experience in mission design, trajectory optimization, or space systems engineering, ideally with experience in lunar or interplanetary missions.
• Proficiency in using mission design software such as STK, GMAT, FreeFlyer, or MATLAB/Simulink.

• Strong understanding of orbital mechanics, spacecraft dynamics, and space mission architecture.
• Experience in developing and analyzing high-fidelity trajectory simulations.
• Familiarity with propulsion systems, spacecraft GNC (Guidance, Navigation, and Control) algorithms, and flight dynamics.
• Experience with mission operations and real-time trajectory correction is preferred.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary team environment.

Preferred Skills &  

US EEO Statement 

Intuitive Machines is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.