Space 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 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) leverages a broad array of engineering disciplines against a diverse and dynamic portfolio of programs, customers, and national challenges within the space enterprise. 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 Earth Orbit Flight Dynamics Department (EOFDD) provides space flight mechanics expertise for launch vehicles and space vehicles. Relevant skills include orbital mechanics, astrodynamics, trajectory design and optimization, and trans atmospheric flight modeling and simulation. We are looking for a Member of the Technical Staff/Senior Member of the Technical Staff to join the EOFDD team. The selected candidate will provide expertise for a wide range of customer flight mechanics needs, supporting both analysis and 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 El Segundo, CA, Colorado Springs, CO, 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 

• Trajectory design and optimization for launch vehicles and spacecraft for missions operating in Earth-centric regimes (e.g., LEO, MEO, HEO, and GEO) 

• Astrodynamics and orbital mechanics analysis including orbit propagation, maneuver design, optimization for orbit transfer, stationkeeping, graveyard, disposal, and reentry events  

• Analysis of vehicles with chemical and/or electric propulsion  

• Evaluating contested mission applications for space systems 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 for missions that support Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) objectives with complex operational constraints 

• Developing Concepts of Operations (CONOPS), exploring Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs), and incorporating operational constraints into the design and maturation of space systems  

• Providing operational support for nominal launch and spacecraft deployment and transfer sequences, anomaly resolution, and on-call emerging events 

• Utilizing optimal control, flight mechanics, and computer science/algorithm development skills to create new capabilities to service customer requests as stand-alone services and/or ready-to-integrate submodules   

• Combining AI/ML/RL techniques with flight mechanics modeling for assessing complex analysis and decision-making trade spaces 

• Performing research and development and building new flight dynamics tools to cultivate and maintain a healthy and modern internal tool base 

• Leveraging external tools like ASSET, GPOPS-II, SNOPT, POST, OTIS, Copernicus, GMAT, EMTG, etc. where appropriate to augment internally developed capabilities 

 

Additional inter-department partnership collaborations opportunities: 

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

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

• Time-dependent Traveling Salesman Problems and Facility Location Problem analysis 

• Integrated, multi-disciplinary RPO system simulations 

 

What You Need to be Successful  

Minimum Requirements for the Member of the Technical Staff – Flight Mechanics position: 

• Bachelor’s degree in aeronautical/astronautical engineering, physics or applied mathematics, or related disciplines 

• Two 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 of the following programming languages and environments: C, C++, Fortran, Python, Linux, and/or MATLAB 

• Willing to travel domestically approximately 10% of the time 

• The ability to obtain and maintain a US security clearance is required. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.  

• The ability to obtain and maintain a TS clearance (SSBI) with SCI access is strongly preferred (applicant will be submitted for this clearance upon hiring if they do not currently possess it) 

 

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

• Five or more years of experience of relevant technical work or PhD 

• 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  

• Clear communication and chartsmanship of highly technical content often intended for audiences of varying technical familiarity with concise language and intuitive visuals 

 

How You Can Stand Out  

It is impressive if you have one or more of these: 

• Advanced degree in aeronautical/astronautical engineering, physics or applied mathematics, or related disciplines is strongly desired 

• Graduate level course work, research and/or experience in one or more of the following areas: orbital mechanics, astrodynamics, ascent trajectory modeling, hypersonic flight simulation, optimal control, flight mechanics, and/or trajectory modeling and simulation 

• 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 methods, gradient-based optimization, parameter optimization, genetic algorithms, evolutionary algorithms, heuristic optimization methods, indirect methods, and/or calculus of variations 

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

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

• Current TS/SCI and/or TS/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.