Astrodynamics & Trajectory Design Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 101,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care and wellness plans

Paid holidays and vacation

Telework options

401(k) plan

Relocation assistance

Education assistance

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation is seeking a Member of the Technical Staff – Flight Mechanics to provide expert analysis and develop new flight dynamics tools for diverse space missions. The role combines trajectory design, astrodynamics, and propulsion analyses to support launch and space systems, with opportunities to apply AI/ML methods and collaborate across departments.

Requirements include a Master’s (or PhD strongly preferred) in a related field, 0–1 years of experience, and the ability to

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Trajectory design and optimization for launch vehicles and spacecraft across LEO, MEO, HEO, GEO
• Astrodynamics analysis including orbit propagation and maneuver design 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 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
• 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

Skills

C

C++

Fortran

Python

Javascript

Linux

MATLAB

Education

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

PhD degree in aeronautical/astronautical engineering, physics or applied mathematics, or related disciplines (strongly desired)

Tools

ASSET

GPOPS-II

SNOPT

POST

OTIS

Copernicus

GMAT

EMTG

Job description

The Aerospace Corporation is seeking a Member of the Technical Staff – Flight Mechanics to provide expert analysis and develop new flight dynamics tools for diverse space missions. The role combines trajectory design, astrodynamics, and propulsion analyses to support launch and space systems, with opportunities to apply AI/ML methods and collaborate across departments.

Requirements include a Master’s (or PhD strongly preferred) in a related field, 0–1 years of experience, and the ability to