RPO Operations 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 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 RPO Analysis and Integration Department (RAID) is EED's premier organization for mission-level Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO), bringing together the expertise necessary to analyze, design, and develop systems across the full lifecycle of RPO missions. We deliver impactful modeling, simulation, and analysis to a variety of military and civil customers, enabling the key missions that will service and protect critical space infrastructure. We are looking for an Operations Engineer to join the Tactics and Operations Section of the RAID team. The selected candidate will provide expertise for a wide range of customer flight-mechanics needs, but will specialize in on-orbit, operational practices, processes, and procedures to support analysis, research, development, and operations 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, civil, and commercial organizations. 

 

Work Model 

This is a full-time position based in Colorado Springs, CO or Chantilly, VA, offering an in-person work model that combines 4 or more regular onsite workdays per week and remote flexibility as business needs allow. 

 

What You’ll Be Doing 

• Providing space operations support and expertise for a variety of US Space Force, US Space Command, and Intelligence Community missions.  

• Explore Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) and incorporate complex operational constraints into the design and maturation of space systems that support RPO objectives. 

• Support evaluation of contested space mission applications to assess system vulnerabilities and contribute to the development of Concepts of Operations (CONOPS). 

• Build new tools to cultivate and maintain a healthy and modern internal tool base that supports customer deliverables. 

• Combine AI/ML/RL techniques with flight mechanics modeling to assess complex analysis and decision-making trade spaces. 

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to translate customer mission requirements into technical solutions and analysis products. 

• Occasional travel to support customer efforts. 

 

What You Need to be Successful  

Minimum Requirements for Senior Member of Technical Staff – Flight Mechanics  

• BS degree from an accredited college/university program in engineering, mathematics, physics, computer science, or related field (pursuing or conferred within last 12 months) 

• 5+ years of professional, technical work experience 

• Experience with spacecraft operations, on-orbit testing, and anomaly resolution 

• Experience in one or more of the following subjects: space mission analysis and design, state estimation, pose estimation, orbit determination, image processing, algorithm design, software development, astrodynamics, trajectory simulation and performance optimization of spacecraft conducting RPO, mathematical modeling 

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

• Effective written and verbal communication skills  

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

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

• Transcripts required for this position 

 

Minimum Requirements for Engineering Specialist – Flight Mechanics 

• 8+ years of professional, technical work experience 

• 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 

• Graduate level course work, research, and/or experience in the following areas: space mission analysis and design, state estimation, pose estimation, relative navigation, orbit determination, computer vision, image processing, astrodynamics, trajectory simulation and performance optimization of spacecraft conducting RPO 

• Experience using or building analysis software to combine numerical methods, orbital or flight mechanics, and optimization approaches for spacecraft or related vehicles 

• Advanced algorithm development skills to include parallel processing and scripting experience  

• Experience with contested space trajectory applications, military exercises, and wargaming events 

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

 

 

 

 

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)

$110,400.00 - $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.