> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/584152-advanced-mission-design-engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/584152-advanced-mission-design-engineer). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Advanced Mission Design Engineer - **Company:** Mclaurin Aerospace - **Location:** Houston, TX, United States - **Experience:** Experienced - **Salary:** $220,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** 3D Computer Graphics Software, Microsoft Windows, Adobe InDesign, Apple Mac Systems, Bash Shell, C++ (Programming Language), Continuous Integration, Linux, Fortran (Programming Language), Python (Programming Language), Microsoft Office, OpenGL, OpenSceneGraph, Package Management Systems, Qt (Software), Requirements Management, Software Engineering, Julia, Orbital Mechanics, Gitlab, Git, Gitlab-ci, Software Version Control, Programming Languages - **Published:** June 12, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.careerjet.com/jobad/us1968fbf067adbd5ec244008ff2f11c41 ## About the Role This position has been posted at multiple levels. Depending on the candidate's experience, requirements, and business needs, we reserve the right to consider candidates at any level for which this position has been advertised. * Typically requires a bachelor's degree in engineering and a minimum of 2- 5 years of experience in the field or in a related area. * Experience with orbital mechanics and designing spacecraft trajectories. * Experience with development of spacecraft mission design algorithms and analyzing spacecraft performance. * Experience developing, verifying, and validating simulation models. * Excellent communication skills * Experience working in a team environment consisting of NASA civil servants and contractors. * Strong interpersonal skills to enable successful performance in a collaborative environment. * Ability to organize and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines and schedules with limited supervision. * Ability to prepare written documents and to verbally present at meetings. * Experience with Microsoft Office products., * PhD in Aerospace Engineering with a focus on trajectory design, optimization, and orbital mechanics. * Experience with 3-DOF spacecraft simulations. * Proficiency in software development using programming languages such as Modern Fortran, Python, C++, bash, and Julia. * Experience with Python package management systems such as conda/mamba. * Experience with 3D graphics libraries such as OpenSceneGraph, OpenGL, and OpenFrames. * Experience with GUI development in Python and Qt. * Experience with multiple operating systems such as Windows, macOS Linux. * Experience with product delivery and management. * Experience with source code management tools such as Git/GitLab and continuous integration systems such as GitlabCI. ## Description We have an exciting opportunity for an Advanced Mission Design Engineer to join our JETS II contract team at NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX. If selected you will: * Provide trajectory products supporting spacecraft mission design & analysis for advanced Orion crewed missions such as Artemis I-III and related missions. * Perform trajectory optimization runs to characterize vehicle performance and mission availability for a variety of scenarios. * Develop, integrate, and test new algorithms for evaluation of vehicle and mission performance. * Provide software development and scripting of NASA's Copernicus trajectory optimization tool and related applications. * Integrate Copernicus with other trajectory software and tools. * Develop requirements documentation for mission design products. * Provide recommendations for improvements in design and software development processes. * Perform other duties as required. ## Related Videos - [How a Small Team Shrank a Microsoft Monorepo by 94%](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1236-how-a-small-team-shrank-a-microsoft-monorepo-by-94) - [Docker network without Docker](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1418-docker-network-without-docker) - [Building and Modernising Apps with Agentic AI - Julia Kordick](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1832-building-and-modernising-apps-with-agentic-ai-julia-kordick) - [Crew Management System for Airlines: Plan duties for pilots & flight attendants worldwide](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1444-crew-management-system-for-airlines-plan-duties-for-pilots-flight-attendants-worldwide) - [Git for Code Reviews](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/429-git-for-code-reviews) - [The Software Engineer 2030: From Coder To AI Orchestrator? - Patrick Schnell](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1825-the-software-engineer-2030-from-coder-to-ai-orchestrator-patrick-schnell) ## Related Articles - [Résumé-Driven Development: How IT trends affect the job market for software developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/59-resume-driven-development-how-it-trends-affect-the-job-market-for-software-developers) - [Dev Digest 162: AI careers, MCP, AWS best practices & floppy sweaters](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/571-dev-digest-162-ai-careers-mcp-aws-best-practices-floppy-sweaters) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [Dev Digest 121 - AI goes offline](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/456-dev-digest-121-ai-goes-offline) - [Everything a Developer Needs to Know About MCP with Neo4j](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/604-everything-a-developer-needs-to-know-about-mcp-with-neo4j) - [How to Become an AI Engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/331-how-to-become-an-ai-engineer)