Flight Dynamics Software Engineer

About Exotrail

Space is becoming more strategic and competitive than ever. Tomorrow’s space leaders will not simply launch satellites into orbit, they will be able to move them, reposition them, extend their lifetime, and maximize their performance in space.

Since 2017, Exotrail has been developing and operating cutting‑edge in‑space mobility solutions for commercial, institutional, and defense customers. From our high‑performance propulsion system spaceware™ to our orbital transfer vehicle spacevan™, we enable satellites to go farther, stay operational longer, and achieve more.

Today, more than 200 Exotrailers across Massy and Toulouse are working together to make space operations more efficient and sustainable.

Backed by over €75 million in funding, we are pursuing a clear mission:

Making space a sustainable frontier for future generations.

Job Description

At Exotrail, we're building the technologies that make space mobility more flexible, efficient and sustainable. As part of our In‑Orbit Services (IOS) division, you will contribute to the development of SpaceTower™, our flight dynamics and mission operations software platform supporting spacecraft missions from mission design to in‑orbit operations.

As a Flight Dynamics Software Engineer, you will combine astrodynamics expertise and software engineering skills to design, develop and maintain the flight dynamics capabilities used by our teams and customers worldwide.

If you enjoy solving complex orbital mechanics challenges, building reliable software products and seeing your work directly support operational space missions, we'd love to hear from you.

Your Mission

You will contribute to the design, development and validation of Exotrail's Flight Dynamics System (FDS), supporting mission analysis, orbit determination, maneuver planning, trajectory optimization and operational flight dynamics activities.

Working closely with Flight Dynamics, Software, System and Operations teams, you will deliver high-performance software solutions that support spacecraft throughout their entire lifecycle, from mission preparation to routine operations in orbit.

Your Responsibilities

Mission Analysis & Astrodynamics

• Design and implement orbit propagation, orbit determination and maneuver planning algorithms.

• Develop trajectory optimization solutions for spacecraft missions.

• Contribute to mission analysis and operational flight dynamics capabilities.

• Validate algorithms through simulation, testing and operational data analysis.

• Translate mission requirements into robust software solutions in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.

Software Development

• Design, develop and maintain Flight Dynamics software products, including SpaceTower™.

• Participate in software architecture decisions and technical roadmap definition.

• Improve software performance, scalability, robustness and maintainability.

• Develop automated testing frameworks and validation tools.

• Contribute to continuous integration and software quality processes.

• Participate in code reviews and software development best practices.

• Produce high-quality technical documentation.

Mission & Operations Support

• Support System Engineering and Operations teams during CONOPS definition and mission preparation.

• Train and assist internal and external users of SpaceTower™.

• Participate in software and operational validation campaigns.

• Support critical mission phases such as launch, commissioning and end‑of‑life operations.

• Investigate operational anomalies and contribute to continuous process improvements.

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Astrodynamics, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, or a related field.

• Strong foundation in applied mathematics and solid understanding of space mechanics

• Good understanding of spacecraft dynamics, orbit propagation and numerical methods.

• Proven experience in software development using Java (must have), Linux

• Git/GitLab, CI/CD/CT

• Fluency in English and French

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with flight dynamics libraries and tools (Orekit, GMAT, STK/ODTK, Tudat, Orecz).

• Python and Typescript

• Containerization and Orchestration (e.g.,Docker, Kbernetes)

• Knowledge of Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) systems.