Entry Descent & Landing Engineer

Entry Descent & Landing EngineerAbout Intuitive MachinesIntuitive 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.

Position OverviewWe are seeking a highly motivated and technically experienced Flight Dynamics - Entry, Descent, and Landing (EDL) Engineer to support the development, analysis, and testing of advanced EDL technologies for future space missions. This position involves working at the forefront of entry system design-addressing mission-critical challenges in atmospheric entry, descent, and surface landing. This is a senior level role that will play a pivotal role in the project assigned.

Key Responsibilities* Lead and contribute to concept development, trajectory design, and performance optimization for EDL systems in various planetary atmospheres.

• Perform detailed entry vehicle performance analyses including Monte Carlo simulations, dispersions, and 6-DOF high-fidelity trajectory modeling.
  
• Develop and validate Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C) algorithms specific to EDL phases-covering hypersonic, supersonic, subsonic, and terminal descent regimes.
  
• Support end-to-end design, integration, verification, and testing of GN&C software and hardware systems.
  
• Analyze and contribute to the development of advanced EDL technologies, including:
  

+ Aerobraking and aerocapture maneuvers

+ Hypersonic and supersonic entry systems

+ Parachute deployment, retropropulsion , and autonomous landing solutions

• Integrate and align vehicle-level EDL trajectory design with cross-system dependencies including:
  

+ Thermal Protection Systems (TPS)

+ Aerosciences (aerodynamics and aerothermal dynamics)

• Parachute and landing systems
  
• Structures and propulsion systems
  
• Collaborate across multi-disciplinary engineering teams, including systems engineering, propulsion, structures, avionics, and flight software groups to deliver integrated mission solutions.
  

Contribute to mission planning, risk assessment, technical reviews, and flight readiness processes.

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Required Qualifications* Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering , Mechanical Engineering , or a related field.

• Demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following domains:
  

+ EDL system design and analysis

+ Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C)

+ High-fidelity spacecraft simulation (6-DOF)

+ Spacecraft systems engineering and integration

+ Aerodynamics and aerothermal analysis

+ Parachute system modeling and deployment dynamics

• Deep understanding of orbital mechanics and atmospheric flight dynamics.
  
• Proficiency in simulation and modeling tools such as MATLAB, Simulink, GMAT, STK, or custom 6-DOF solvers.
  
• Proven experience designing and validating flight algorithms in simulation and/or hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test environments.
  
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to innovate and adapt to new technical challenges.
  

Effective communicator, capable of working across disciplines in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

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Preferred Qualifications* Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in Aerospace Engineering , Astronautics , or related technical discipline.

• Hands-on experience supporting spacecraft development through full lifecycle-from concept through launch and flight operations.
  
• Experience in planetary entry (e.g., Moon, Mars, Earth return) and associated atmospheric modeling.
  
• Experience with real-time flight software development or hardware interface for GN&C systems.
  

Familiarity with NASA or DoD flight qualification and verification processes.

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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.