Flight Dynamics Engineer/Senior Flight Dynamics Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we deliver innovative solutions spanning satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil, and commercial customers.

About the role

The Enterprise Effects Division (EED) drives integration of Aerospace’s strategic capabilities across the national space enterprise. The Earth Orbit Flight Dynamics Department (EOFDD) provides flight mechanics expertise for launch vehicles and space vehicles, including orbital mechanics, astrodynamics, trajectory design and optimization, and atmospheric flight modeling and simulation.

The selected candidate will provide expertise for a wide range of customer flight mechanics needs, supporting both analysis and research and development requests. Work will involve delivering deep technical solutions while collaborating with engineering partners to facilitate integrated solutions for complex problems. Customers include defense, intelligence, civil, and commercial organizations.

This position follows a hybrid work model based in El Segundo, CA; Colorado Springs, CO; Chantilly, VA; or Albuquerque, NM, with an expectation of at least 4 days a week onsite as business needs allow.

Responsibilities

• Trajectory design and optimization for launch vehicles and spacecraft operating in LEO, MEO, HEO, GEO, and other earth-centric regimes.
• Astrodynamics and orbital mechanics analysis, including orbit propagation, maneuver design, and optimization for orbit transfer, stationkeeping, graveyard, disposal, and reentry events.
• Analysis of vehicles with chemical and/or electric propulsion.
• Evaluating contested missions applications to understand threat performance, assess vulnerabilities, and improve system resiliency.
• Exploring and defining the evolving Dynamic Space Operations (DSO) mission area.
• Maneuver and orbit design, selection, and optimization for Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) with complex operational constraints.
• Developing Concepts of Operations (CONOPS), Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs), and incorporating operational constraints into space system design.
• Providing operational support for nominal launch, spacecraft deployment, anomaly resolution, and on-call emerging events.
• Utilizing optimal control, flight mechanics, and computer science/algorithm development to create new capabilities for customer requests.
• Combining AI/ML/RL techniques with flight mechanics modeling for complex analysis and decision-making trade spaces.
• Performing research and development to build and maintain a modern internal tool base for flight dynamics.
• Leveraging external tools like ASSET, GPOPS-II, SNOPT, POST, OTIS, Copernicus, GMAT, and EMTG to augment internally developed capabilities.

Additional Collaborations

• Cislunar and exploration-class orbital mechanics analysis and trajectory optimization.
• Hypersonics, missiles, interceptors, and reentry vehicle trajectory design supporting Golden Dome or related mission areas.
• Time-dependent Traveling Salesman Problems and Facility Location Problem (servicer) analysis.
• Integrated, multi-disciplinary RPO system simulations.

Requirements

Engineering Specialist – Flight Mechanics:

• Bachelor’s degree in aeronautical/astronautical engineering, physics, applied mathematics, or related disciplines.
• Eight or more years of experience in flight mechanics, astrodynamics, maneuver optimization, trajectory optimization, launch vehicle trajectory design, hypersonic vehicle modeling, or general trajectory modeling and simulation.
• Proficiency in one or more programming languages: C, C++, Fortran, Python, Linux, and/or MATLAB.
• Ability to operate independently, deliver high-quality results in ambiguous situations, and provide innovative solutions.
• Willingness to travel domestically (~10%).
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance (TS clearance with SCI access required). U.S. citizenship is required.

Senior Engineering Specialist – Flight Mechanics (in addition to the above):

• Twelve or more years of relevant technical work experience.
• Ability to lead and execute large, sustained technical efforts with vision to propose, scope, and coordinate across organizational boundaries.

Qualifications

The following qualifications would be advantageous:

• Advanced degree in aeronautical/astronautical engineering, physics, applied mathematics, or related disciplines.
• Graduate-level coursework, research, or experience in orbital mechanics, astrodynamics, ascent trajectory modeling, hypersonic flight simulation, optimal control, flight mechanics, or trajectory modeling and simulation.
• Experience using or building analysis software combining numerical methods, orbital or flight mechanics, and optimization for launch vehicles, missiles, interceptors, spacecraft, or reentry vehicles.
• Experience with nonlinear programming, direct methods, gradient-based optimization, parameter optimization, genetic algorithms, evolutionary algorithms, heuristic methods, indirect methods, or calculus of variations.
• Advanced algorithm development skills, including parallel processing and scripting.
• Experience with contested space trajectory applications, military exercises, or wargaming events.
• Current TS (SSBI), TS/SCI, and/or TS/SAP access.

Pay

The grade-based pay range for this position is $129,000 – $249,600 annually, with individual salaries determined by education, experience, knowledge, and skills.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans.
• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation.
• Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options.
• 401(k) Plan with immediate eligibility and vesting; company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service, plus matching contributions.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions.
• Relocation assistance.
• Professional growth and development programs.
• Education assistance programs.

Leadership Competencies

Our leadership philosophy encourages every employee to demonstrate leadership through:

• Operating Strategically
• Leading Change
• Engaging with Impact
• Fostering Innovation
• Delivering Results