Director – Emerging Missions Flight Dynamics Department

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 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. 

Lead the Charge Into the Next Frontiers of Mission Flight Dynamics 

Missions do not just thrive in Earth orbit anymore. Cislunar space is becoming a strategic domain for civil, commercial, and national security activities. Hypersonic and near-space threats are reshaping the warfighting landscape. Our customers need solutions that do not yet exist. This is where the Emerging Missions Flight Dynamics Department lives. 

The Aerospace Corporation is a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) delivering the nation's most advanced technical expertise across satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil, and commercial customers. Within our Mission Operations Subdivision, the Emerging Missions Flight Dynamics Department (EMF) pioneers flight mechanics solutions for domains that were once considered academic. 

The Opportunity 

We are searching for a director to lead this department built to rapidly respond to the nation's most urgent emerging priorities, from the Earth-Moon system to the edge of space and back down through the atmosphere. This is an opportunity to define an entirely new disciplines at the intersection of cislunar dynamics, multi-objective trajectory optimization, and atmospheric/near-space warfighting.  You will lead three distinct, cutting-edge sections — Cislunar Mission Design, Orbit and Trajectory Utility, and Trans-Atmospheric Effects — plus an Advanced Reentry and Weapons Office, uniting a multidisciplinary team of over three dozen experts spread across Aerospace’s primary locations: El Segundo, Colorado Springs, and Chantilly. 

As Director, you will: 

• Own the strategic vision for some of the most dynamic frontiers in flight mechanics: cislunar trajectory design, multi-objective maneuver optimization, and trans-atmospheric/hypersonic flight regimes 

• Pioneer new tradecraft in quasi-periodic orbit design, manifold trajectories, reachability assessments, and traveling-salesman-style rendezvous sequencing 

• Shape the technical response to national priorities in missile defense, hypersonic systems, reentry vehicles, and lunar/cislunar access 

• Build the bench strength of a rapidly growing, highly specialized workforce before the demand curve outpaces supply 

• Serve as the connective tissue between orbital mechanics, optimal control, fluid dynamics, GNC, and SDA communities tackling problems no single discipline can solve alone 

Work Model 

Full-time position, minimum four days per week onsite based in El Segundo, CA or Chantilly, VA. 

What You'll Be Doing 

Strategic Leadership 

• Set and execute the strategic vision for a multi-site department, managing 35+ technical staff and managers 

• Partner with customers to develop innovative flight dynamics solutions and position EMFDD as the technical authority in emerging flight regimes 

• Advise Aerospace leadership on technical investments and organizational strategies 

Technical Innovation 

• Champion breakthrough approaches to the most challenging flight dynamics problems 

• Guide trajectory design innovation for sub-, super-, and hypersonic flight regimes, including ballistic/maneuverable missile systems and reentry vehicles 

Business Development & Customer Engagement 

• Build and expand relationships with defense agencies, the Intelligence Community, NASA, and commercial space operators to shape future mission concepts and designs 

• Lead capture and business development for a department positioned at the convergence of multiple high-growth national priority areas 

• Represent the department as a thought leader at customer forums, technical conferences, and organizational strategy sessions 

Team Development 

• Recruit, hire, and retain top talent in highly specialized disciplines 

• Ensure that the department technical bench can meet surging customer demand 

• Cultivate a culture where bold technical ideas and rapid-response problem solving are the norm, not the exception 

What You Need to be Successful (Minimum Requirements) 

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, physics, mathematics, or related STEM field 

• 10+ years of progressively responsible technical experiences in flight dynamics, astrodynamics, or trajectory design 

• Proven leadership experience managing technical organizations, including staff development, performance evaluation, strategic planning, and R&D portfolio development 

• Executive-level customer relationships with demonstrated success building partnerships across organizations 

• Business development acumen with proven track record of expanding customer relationships 

• Exceptional communication skills to influence senior government officials, industry partners, and internal stakeholders 

• Experience managing distributed teams across multiple geographic locations 

• Strategic thinking to synthesize complex technical, programmatic, and customer needs into actionable vision 

• Collaborative leadership fostering excellence across organizational boundaries 

• Willingness to travel domestically based on organizational and customer needs 

• Current TS/SCI and/or TS/SAP access 

How You Can Stand Out 

Academic Excellence 

• Advanced degree (Master's or Ph.D.) in aerospace engineering, astronautics, applied mathematics, or related field 

Technical Depth 

• Expertise in cislunar/multi-body dynamics (CRTBP), trajectory optimization and optimal control, or atmospheric/hypersonic trajectory design 

• Experience with reachability analysis or multi-fidelity trade space exploration 

• Familiarity with reentry vehicle dynamics, missile defense systems, or near-space warfighting concepts 

Mission Experience 

• Track record standing up or scaling technical capabilities from concept to operational relevance 

• Experience supporting rapid-response technical analysis for urgent national priorities 

Additional Areas 

• Demonstrated supervisory experience in aerospace, defense, or national security organizations 

• Experience bridging commercial, defense, and civil space sectors with multi-disciplinary systems engineering background 

• FFRDC experience or similar advisory roles supporting government decision-making 

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)

$196,200.00 - $294,200.00

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.