Flight Dynamics Engineer - Trajectory Design & Astrodynamics (AHT)

ngc; Redondo Beach (CA); On-site; USD 114,000 - 213,000; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector in Redondo Beach, CA seeks a Flight Dynamics Engineer – Trajectory Design & Astrodynamics (Level 3 or 4) to join the onsite team. You will develop software tools for constellation deployment, mission planning, and orbit-raising, and perform maneuver planning with nonlinear optimizations.

Required are hands-on astrodynamics, orbital mechanics, and programming in Python and/or MATLAB, plus experience delivering trajectory solutions and presenting designs at major

Qualifications

• Active U.S. Government Secret clearance required at the time of application.
• Experience using FreeFlyer or similar flight dynamics modeling software.
• Hands-on experience with astrodynamics and orbital mechanics.
• Experience programming in Python and/or MATLAB.
• Experience designing and/or optimizing satellite trajectories and maneuvers.
• Familiarity with spacecraft deployment, state estimation, and station keeping concepts.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a key interface with external stakeholders, representing Northrop Grumman in meetings with customers and external program integration partners.
• Develop and maintain software tools to support constellation deployment, mission planning, and orbit-raising activities.
• Perform low-thrust maneuver planning using nonlinear optimization algorithms to meet mission performance objectives and constraints.
• Plan and analyze optical crosslinks and support automation of large satellite constellations, including orbit determination, ephemeris propagation, and maneuver planning.
• Generate and deliver innovative trajectory and mission design solutions for small-satellite and new space missions.
• Present technical work, analyses, and system designs at major program reviews with government customers and other external stakeholders.
• Apply strong problem-solving skills to rapidly understand and address complex technical concepts in support of mission and system design.
• Prepare technical charts, present data, and provide clear, actionable recommendations to internal teams, program leadership, and external customers, demonstrating excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Manage tasking and mentor team members across multiple program schedules, ensuring execution of deliverables against tight deadlines.

Skills

Clearance (Secret)

Orbital mechanics

Astrodynamics

Satellite trajectories

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s in STEM (5+ years)

Master’s in STEM (3+ years)

Ph.D. in STEM (1+ years)

Tools

FreeFlyer

Python

MATLAB

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: YesCLEARANCE TYPE: SecretTRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

Description

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector is seeking a Flight Dynamics Engineer - Trajectory Design & Astrodynamics (Level 3 or 4) to join our team of highly qualified, diverse professionals within the Western Region Software Engineering Directorate. This position is located onsite in Redondo Beach, CA.

Job responsibilities of the Flight Dynamics Engineer - Trajectory Design & Astrodynamics (Level 3 or 4) include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Serve as a key interface with external stakeholders, representing Northrop Grumman in meetings with customers and external program integration partners.
• Develop and maintain software tools to support constellation deployment, mission planning, and orbit-raising activities.
• Perform low-thrust maneuver planning using nonlinear optimization algorithms to meet mission performance objectives and constraints.
• Plan and analyze optical crosslinks and support automation of large satellite constellations, including orbit determination, ephemeris propagation, and maneuver planning.
• Generate and deliver innovative trajectory and mission design solutions for small-satellite and new space missions.
• Present technical work, analyses, and system designs at major program reviews (e.g., Preliminary Design Review and Critical Design Review) with government customers and other external stakeholders.
• Apply strong problem-solving skills to rapidly understand and address complex technical concepts in support of mission and system design.
• Prepare technical charts, present data, and provide clear, actionable recommendations to internal teams, program leadership, and external customers, demonstrating excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Manage tasking and mentor team members across multiple program schedules, ensuring execution of deliverables against tight deadlines.
  

This requisition may be filled at a higher grade based on the qualifications listed below.

Basic Qualifications:

• Principal Software Engineer (Level 3)
  • Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline with 5+years of relevant software engineering experience or Master’s degree in a STEM discipline with3+years of stated experience or Ph.D. in a STEM discipline with1+years of stated experience.

• Sr. Principal Software Engineer (Level 4)
  • Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline with 8+years of relevant software engineering experience or Master’s degree in a STEM discipline with6+years of stated experience or Ph.D. in a STEM discipline with4+years of stated experience.
• Active U.S. Government Secret clearance required at the time of application.
• Experience using FreeFlyer or similar flight dynamics modeling software.
• Hands-on experience with astrodynamics and orbital mechanics.
• Experience programming in Python and/or MATLAB.
• Experience designing and/or optimizing satellite trajectories and maneuvers.
• Familiarity with spacecraft deployment, state estimation, and station keeping concepts.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Hands-on experience developing software tools for constellation deployment, mission planning, and orbit raising.
• Experience with low-thrust maneuver planning and nonlinear optimization algorithms
• Knowledge of optical crosslink planning and automation of large satellite constellations (orbit determination, ephemeris propagation, maneuver planning).
• Demonstrated ability to deliver innovative solutions for small-sat and new space missions.
• Experience presenting technical work and system design at major reviews (e.g., Preliminary/Critical Design Review (PDR/CDR) with government customers.

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Primary Level Salary Range: $114,000.00 - $171,000.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $142,200.00 - $213,400.00 The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.