Mission Analysis Engineer
Parque Industrial de Elche (Poligono Industrial),
Spain
About PLD:
Founded in 2011, PLD Space is a high-tech engineering, manufacturing and service-driven company, with deep track record and expertise in space launch technologies.
We are a trusted global championing industry leader disrupting the pathway to space access. We are on a mission to reach new heights by making space more accessible, supporting missions that will make us smarter, safer and wealthier.
Our purpose is to propel new futures, to enable progress from space and enrich peoples’ lives on Earth, by moving new economies, people and world forward.
Mission
As a Mission Analysis Engineer at PLD Space, your mission is to contribute to the analysis and planning of space missions, ensuring the successful execution of launch vehicle and spacecraft missions. You will play a crucial role in assessing mission feasibility, optimizing trajectories, and providing critical mission-related information to support decision-making processes.
Responsibilities
- Perform mission analysis and trajectory optimization for launch vehicle and spacecraft missions, considering various parameters such as payload mass, target orbit, and mission objectives.
- Support to mission design for interplanetary and Earth Observation missions
- Modelling and simulation of space systems, including space environment and space vehicle dynamics
- Analyse mission requirements and constraints to determine launch windows, ascent trajectories, staging events, and orbital manoeuvres.
- Conduct sensitivity analyses and trade studies to evaluate the impact of different mission parameters on performance, payload capacity, and mission success.
- Perform GNC (Guidance, Navigation and Control) assessments.
- Develop software tools for mission analysis activities.
- Utilize specialized software tools and simulation models to perform trajectory calculations, propulsion system performance analyses, and mission performance predictions.
- Evaluate mission risks, including launch vehicle performance margins, propellant reserves, and contingency plans, to ensure mission safety and success.
- Support launch site selection and launch campaign planning by assessing the compatibility of the launch vehicle with the target orbit and launch range infrastructure.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including systems engineers, propulsion engineers, and trajectory designers, to define mission requirements and ensure their integration into the overall mission architecture.
- Generate mission-related documentation, including mission profiles, trajectory reports, and performance analyses, to communicate mission requirements and analysis results to internal teams and external stakeholders.
- Participate in technical reviews, meetings, and presentations, providing mission analysis expertise and insights to stakeholders and project teams.
- Generate documentation, including user guides, guidelines and user manuals for internal customers use.
- Generate documentation for formal program development reviews.
Necessary Requirements
- Aerospace Engineering bachelor’s degree or demonstrable relevant experience in lieu thereof. Advanced degree preferred.
- > 5 years of relevant technical experience.
- Strong understanding of orbital mechanics, astrodynamics, and mission analysis principles.
- Proficiency in using mission analysis software tools, such as ASTOS (Astrodynamics Tool Software), STK (Systems Toolkit), or similar.
- Knowledge of optimization theory and techniques.
- Knowledge of Software engineering methods and techniques
- Knowledge of launch vehicle performance parameters, such as mass fractions, delta-v budgets, and propellant utilization.
- Familiarity with spacecraft subsystems and their impact on mission design, including power, communication, and thermal constraints.
- Understanding of launch vehicle integration and launch campaign planning processes.
Desired Requirements
- Analytical thinking and problem-solving skills to perform complex mission analysis tasks and trade studies.
- Excellent mathematical and computational skills for performing trajectory calculations and simulations.
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy in analysing data, conducting simulations, and documenting results.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, managing multiple tasks and priorities.
- Strong organizational and time management skills to meet project deadlines and milestones.
- Ability to work both independently and in a team, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.
- English B2-C1.
Desired Competencies
- Experience in mission analysis or trajectory optimization for launch vehicles or spacecraft.
- Knowledge of optimization techniques and algorithms for mission planning and trajectory design.
- Familiarity with statistical analysis and uncertainty quantification methods for mission risk assessment.
- Understanding of launch vehicle performance trade-offs and sensitivity analyses.
- Experience with launch site selection and launch range infrastructure considerations.
- Knowledge of industry standards and regulations related to mission analysis and launch vehicle operations.
- Familiarity with:
- Thermal Analysis (CLA Thermal) - Ground & Flight.
- Mechanical Analysis (CLA Mechanical).
- EMC Analysis.
- Separation Analysis (Separation Velocity, Induced Angular Velocities, Collision Margins...)
- French B2-C1.
Benefits
Health & Wellness: We want you to be happy and healthy in body and mind. We encourage you to have regular physiotherapy sessions at our facilities so that you can continue with your physical activities.
We offer partial coverage of your medical scheme covering you, your spouse or partner, and your children.
Boost your creativity: Focus. Energy. Yummy snacks and those fizzy waters you love. It takes a lot to be creative all day, but we’ve got you covered. Eat local, sustainable, delectable fare at our cafes, and plunder our pantries for fresh fruit and other goodies whenever you need a boost.
Engineering by doing: We encourage hands-on learning and foster internal mobility and team collaboration, with one-third of positions filled by current employees and one in five people promoted each year.
Find balance: PLD Space offers 23 days of annual leave, 6 global wellbeing days, and public holidays. We prioritize worklife balance with flexible schedules, empowering teams to manage their own hours. We work hard here, so we encourage taking breaks to recharge, ensuring a healthy work environment.
Never stop learning: At PLD Space, education and professional development is a priority. We offer extensive learning opportunities, from conferences and webinars to higher education programs and technical certifications. We encourage hands-on learning and foster internal mobility and team collaboration, with one-third of positions filled by current employees and one in five people promoted each year.
Focus on your financial future: Flexible remuneration plan lets you allocate part of your salary to everyday expenses like lunch, nursery school or public transport, which are exempt from Personal Income Tax (IRPF) when paid through this system.
Values
We have four critical beliefs that guide the way PLD Space is shaping the future of space launch technologies.
- Teamwork.
- Hard work.
- Dynamism.
- Commitment.
- Keep it simple.
Become part of our movement, enabling you to make change happen in your career and, above all, your life.