Autonomous Trajectory & Mission Planning 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 are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.

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. 

 

As a core component of EED, the Emerging Missions Flight Dynamics (EMFD) Department 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, sequential decision making, and atmospheric flight modeling and simulation. 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 also collaborating with engineering partners to facilitate integrated solutions for our customers’ hardest problems. Customers will include defense, intelligence, and civil and commercial organizations. 

 

Work Model 

• This position will be a hybrid work model based in Colorado Springs, CO; El Segundo, CA; Chantilly, VA; or Albuquerque, NM with the expectation that the selected candidate will work at least 4 days a week onsite, as the business needs allow.  

What You’ll be Doing:  

Primary Support  

• Astrodynamics and orbital mechanics analysis including orbit propagation, constellation design and optimization, and maneuver design and optimization for orbit transfer, station keeping, graveyard, disposal, and reentry events
• Analysis of combinatorial optimization / sequential decision-making problems, such as the Traveling Salesman Problem, Facility Location Problem, Markov Decision Processes, etc.
• Analysis of multi-objective optimization problems leveraging metaheuristic (ex: Genetic Algorithms), mathematical programming, deterministic, and optimal control methods
• Create, augment, and leverage flight mechanics centric C++/Python software capabilities as stand-alone tools and ready-to-integrate submodules
• Leveraging external tools like SciPy, ASSET, GPOPS-II, SNOPT, POST, OTIS, Copernicus, GMAT, EMTG, etc. where appropriate to augment internally developed capabilities
• Evaluate contested missions’ applications for space systems to understand threat performance, assess vulnerabilities, and improve system resiliency
• Developing Concepts of Operations (CONOPS), exploring Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs), and incorporating operational constraints into the design and maturation of space and near-space systems

Additional inter-department partnership collaborations opportunities:  

• Maneuver and orbit design, selection, and optimization for missions that support Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) objectives with complex operational constraints  

• Cislunar and exploration-class orbital mechanics analysis and trajectory optimization   

• Hypersonics, missiles, interceptors, and reentry vehicle trajectory design and optimization  

• Analysis of vehicles with chemical and/or electric propulsion   

• Trajectory design and optimization for launch vehicles and spacecraft for missions operating in LEO, MEO, HEO, GEO, and other earth-centric regimes 
• Providing operational support for nominal launch and spacecraft deployment and transfer sequences, anomaly resolution, and on-call emerging events

 

What You Need to be Successful 

Minimum Requirements for Member of Technical Staff – Flight Mechanics: 

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited program in Engineering, Science, Mathematics, or related technical discipline. 

• At least two years of relevant professional technical work experience 

• Experience in one or more of the following subjects: space mission analysis and design, advanced astrodynamics, algorithm design, software development, mathematical modeling, multi-objective optimization, decision making under uncertainty, and/or trajectory simulation and performance optimization  

• Proficiency with one or more of the following programming languages/tools: Python, C/C++, Fortran, MATLAB. 

• Effective written and verbal communication skills. 

• Willing to travel domestically to customer and contractor facilities (approx. 10%) 

• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the US government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance. 

 

In addition to the above, the minimum requirements for Senior Member of Technical Staff – Flight Mechanics position include: 

• Typically, five or more years of experience of relevant technical work 

• Demonstrated technical excellence in the relevant job capabilities and functions 

• The ability to operate independently, often in the presence of ambiguity, and still deliver high quality, relevant end products to a range of customers   

 

How You Can Stand Out  

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 with sequential decision-making and optimization algorithms (ex: Monte Carlo Tree Search, Markov Decision Processes, Reinforcement Learning, Genetic Algorithms, Particle Swarm Optimization, etc.)
• Experience with multi-objective optimization, linear/nonlinear programming, and/or gradient-based and indirect methods
• Experience with reachable set analysis for dynamical systems
• Experience building astrodynamics/flight mechanics analysis software with integrated optimization/decision-making algorithms
• Experience with object-oriented programming, joint C++/Python development, and/or modern software development practices (ex: Git/version control)
• Experience with contested space trajectory applications, military exercises, and wargaming events
• Ability to build effective relationships with customers, contractors, and FFRDC personnel, including direct interface with senior government stakeholders
• Current SSBI with active TS/SCI clearance and/or current SAP access

We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business.  The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below.  Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills.

(Min - Max)

$95,200.00 - $165,500.00

Pay Basis: Annual

Leadership Competencies

Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who:

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

Ways We Reward Our Employees

During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits.

Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type.  A few highlights include:

• 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

We are all unique, from various backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.

Equal Opportunity Commitment

The Aerospace Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at peoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.