Multi-Domain Trajectory Design Engineer/Senior Multi-Domain Trajectory Design 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.

The Enterprise Effects Division (EED) drives integration of Aerospace’s strategic capabilities across the national space enterprise. The division leverages a broad array of engineering disciplines against a diverse and dynamic portfolio of programs, customers, and national challenges. EED spans the capability lifecycle from concept and architecture design to performance assessment to application of space and space-enabled capabilities.

The Emerging Missions Flight Dynamics Department (EMFDD) provides flight mechanics expertise for the cislunar domain, multi-objective “traveling salesman” trajectory sequence generation, facility location optimization, and trans-atmospheric flight design for missiles, hyperglide vehicles, and reentry vehicles. Relevant skills include orbital mechanics, astrodynamics, trajectory design and optimization, and atmospheric flight modeling and simulation.

About the Role

The selected candidate will provide expertise for a wide range of customer flight mechanics needs, supporting analysis, research, and development requests. The work will require candidates to provide deep technical solutions while collaborating with engineering partners to facilitate integrated solutions for our customers’ hardest problems. Customers will include defense, intelligence, civil, and commercial organizations.

This is a full-time position based in El Segundo, CA, Huntsville, AL, or Albuquerque, NM, offering an in-person work model that combines 4 or more regular onsite workdays per week with remote flexibility as business needs allow.

Responsibilities

• Trajectory design and optimization for hypersonic/high-speed systems, missiles, interceptors, and reentry vehicles
• Missile system and missile defense engagement simulation and performance analysis
• Multi-domain mission design for systems transiting orbital and atmospheric regimes
• Constrained optimal control determination for vehicles with aerodynamic and/or propulsive forces (chemical, electric, other)
• Contested space mission evaluation: threat assessment, vulnerability analysis, and system resiliency improvement
• CONOPS development, TTP exploration, and operational constraint integration for space, near-space, and reentry systems
• Development of new capabilities using optimal control, flight mechanics, and algorithm development for stand-alone services and integration-ready submodules
• Algorithm and software R&D to maintain modern internal tool base
• Application of external tools like ASSET, GPOPS-II, SNOPT, POST, OTIS, Copernicus, GMAT, EMTG, etc. where appropriate to augment internally developed capabilities
• Cislunar and exploration-class trajectory optimization and application of dynamical systems theory
• Time-dependent Traveling Salesman Problems and Facility Location Problem analysis
• Reentry risk and range safety assessments
• Astrodynamics analysis: orbit propagation, maneuver design/optimization for orbit transfer, station keeping, graveyard, disposal, and reentry
• Operational support for nominal launch, spacecraft deployment/transfer, anomaly resolution, and emerging events
• Maneuver and orbit design/optimization for Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) with complex constraints
• Trajectory design and optimization for launch vehicles and spacecraft for missions operating in LEO, MEO, HEO, GEO, and other earth-centric regimes

Requirements

Minimum Requirements for Engineering Specialist – Flight Mechanics:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited program in Engineering, Science, Mathematics, or related technical discipline
• Typically eight or more years of relevant technical work experience
• Experience in one or more of the following subjects: space mission analysis and design, advanced astrodynamics, algorithm design, software development, or mathematical modeling, multi-objective optimization, trajectory simulation and performance optimization of spacecraft, missiles, and reentry vehicles
• Proficiency with one or more of the following programming languages/tools: C, C++, Python, Fortran, MATLAB
• Ability to support multiple programs and/or activities simultaneously and to serve as a technical point-of-contact
• Demonstrated technical team leadership and mentorship skills
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Willing to travel domestically to customer and contractor facilities (approx. 10%)
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the US government (U.S. citizenship required)

Minimum Requirements for Senior Engineering Specialist – Flight Mechanics:

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

Qualifications

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

• Graduate degree and/or research or professional experience in engineering, mathematics, physics, computer science, or related field
• Experience using or building analysis software to combine numerical methods, orbital or flight mechanics, and optimization approaches for launch vehicles, missiles, interceptors, spacecraft, or reentry vehicles (hypersonics)
• Experience with nonlinear programming (non-linear programming), direct transcription methods for control optimization, gradient-based optimization, parameter optimization, genetic algorithms, evolutionary algorithms, heuristic optimization methods, indirect methods, and/or calculus of variations
• Experience with multi-disciplinary design and optimization (MDO) techniques for aerospace vehicles
• Demonstrated success in project/team leadership roles while managing resources, staffing, and technical milestones and deliveries
• Advanced algorithm development skills to include parallel processing and scripting experience
• Experience with contested space trajectory applications, military exercises, and wargaming events
• Ability to build and foster effective working relationships with customers, contractors, Federally Funded Research & Development Center (FFRDC) and other personnel
• Experience directly interfacing with senior government customers
• Experience in spacecraft or launch operations
• Current SSBI with an active TS/SCI clearance
• Current SAP access

Pay

The grade-based pay range for this job is $129,000.00 - $249,600.00 annually. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to 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 — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire
• Flexible spending accounts
• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions
• Relocation assistance
• Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career
• Education assistance programs
• An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect

Leadership Competencies

Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. To cultivate our talent and ensure a strong pipeline of future leaders, we seek individuals who:

• Operate Strategically
• Lead Change
• Engage with Impact
• Foster Innovation
• Deliver Results