2027 Earth-Orbit Flight Dynamics Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care

Paid time off

Telework options

401(k) plan

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation is seeking a Member of the Technical Staff – Flight Mechanics to provide expertise across a broad range of flight dynamics needs for national space programs. You’ll design and optimize trajectories for launch vehicles and spacecraft, perform astrodynamics analyses, and collaborate with engineering teams to deliver robust solutions.

Requirements include a Master’s degree in a related field, 0–1 years in flight mechanics or trajectory modeling, and proficiency in C/C++,

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in aeronautical/astronautical engineering, physics or applied math, or related field.
• 0–1 years of experience in flight mechanics, astrodynamics, trajectory optimization, or related areas.
• Proficiency in C, C++, Fortran, Python, Javascript, Linux, and/or MATLAB.

Responsibilities

• Trajectory design and optimization for launch vehicles and spacecraft.
• Astrodynamics analysis including orbit propagation and maneuver design.
• Evaluate vehicles with propulsion and assess threat performance.
• Support Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) missions and develop CONOPS.
• Develop flight dynamics tools and apply AI/ML techniques.

Skills

Willing to travel

Security clearance eligibility

Education

Master’s degree in aeronautical/astronautical engineering, physics or applied mathematics

Tools

C

C++

Fortran

Python

Javascript

Linux

MATLAB

Job description

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. As a core component of EED, the Earth Orbit Flight Dynamics Department (EOFDD) provides flight mechanics expertise for launch vehicles and space vehicles. Relevant skills include orbital mechanics, astrodynamics, trajectory design and optimization, and atmospheric flight modeling and simulation. We are looking for a Member of the Technical Staff to provide expertise for a wide range of customer flight dynamics 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

Work Model The selected candidate will be required to work full time, on-site in El Segundo, CA, Colorado Springs, CO, Chantilly, VA, or Albuquerque, NM.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Trajectory design and optimization for launch vehicles and spacecraft for missions operating in LEO, MEO, HEO, GEO, and other earth-centric regimes
• Astrodynamics and orbital mechanics analysis including orbit propagation and maneuver design and optimization for orbit transfer, stationkeeping, graveyard, disposal, and reentry events
• Analysis of vehicles with chemical and/or electric propulsion
• Evaluating contested missions applications for space systems to understand threat performance, assess vulnerabilities, and improve system resiliency
• Support maneuver and orbit design for Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) missions
• 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 collaboration opportunities:
  • Cislunar and exploration-class orbital mechanics analysis and trajectory optimization
  • Hypersonics, missiles, interceptors, and reentry vehicle trajectory design and optimization (including Golden Dome support)
  • Time-dependent Traveling Salesman Problems and Facility Location Problem analysis (multi-destination, multi-vehicle trajectory frameworks)
  • Integrated, multi-disciplinary RPO system simulations

What You Need to be Successful

• Minimum Requirements for the Member of the Technical Staff – Flight Mechanics position: Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in aeronautical/astronautical engineering, physics or applied mathematics, or related disciplines (pursuing or conferred within last 12 months)
• 0-1 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, Javascript, Linux, and/or MATLAB
• Willing to travel domestically approx. 10%
• The ability to obtain and maintain a US security clearance is required. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
• This position will require a TS clearance (SSBI) with SCI access and the chosen applicant will be submitted for this upon hiring if they do not currently possess it
• Transcripts required for this position

How You Can Stand Out

• It would be impressive if you have one or more of these: PhD degree in aeronautical/astronautical engineering, physics or applied mathematics, or related disciplines is strongly desired. (pursuing or conferred within last 12 months)
• 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
• 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) $100,000.00 - $140,000.00 Pay Basis: Annual

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

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 [e-mail] . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.

Right Place

The Aerospace Corporation has over 26 locations nationwide, which allows us to build a workforce that will nurture the best ideas, and generate the most novel innovations and solutions to our nation’s toughest space enterprise challenges.

Right Path

Aerospace covers all stages of the space lifecycle, from concept to operations. We believe our people are our most valuable resource and that’s why we propel our employees forward in their careers through ongoing education, training, and professional development.

Right Purpose

We can all serve a mission much greater than ourselves, and at Aerospace that is exactly what we do. By hiring the industry’s most preeminent scientists and engineers, Aerospace advances emerging technologies that protect some of the most critical missions on Earth and above it.

Aerospace employees working in organizations with technical responsibilities are required to obtain a Security Clearance. U.S. citizenship is required for those positions.