Flight Dynamics Engineer: Trajectory Design & RPO Expert

The Aerospace Corporation; United States; Hybrid; USD 129,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care benefits

Relocation assistance

401(k) plan

Education assistance

Flexible work arrangements

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation seeks a Flight Dynamics Engineer to design and optimize trajectories for launch vehicles and spacecraft across multiple earth-centric orbits. You will apply astrodynamics, orbit propagation, and maneuver optimization to deliver robust solutions for challenging national space programs.

Role requires experience with propulsion analysis, CONOPS development, and RPO objectives, plus proficiency in Python/MATLAB.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aeronautical/astronautical engineering, physics or applied mathematics, or related disciplines.
• Eight or more 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 programming languages/environments: C, C++, Fortran, Python, Linux, and/or MATLAB.
• Ability to operate independently and deliver high-quality, innovative end products for diverse customers.
• Willing to travel domestically ~10% and obtain/maintain US security clearance (TS clearance with SCI access).
• Twelve+ years of experience and ability to lead large technical efforts (Senior role).

Responsibilities

• Perform trajectory design and optimization for launch vehicles and spacecraft across LEO, MEO, HEO, GEO.
• Conduct astrodynamics analysis, orbit propagation, and maneuver design for transfers, stationkeeping, graveyard and reentry.
• Analyze vehicles with chemical and/or electric propulsion.
• Evaluate contested missions applications to assess performance and resiliency.
• Develop concepts of operations (CONOPS) and incorporate operational constraints into design.
• Provide on-call support for nominal sequences, anomaly resolution, and urgent events.
• Create new capabilities via optimal control, flight mechanics, and algorithm development.
• Utilize tools like ASSET, GPOPS-II, SNOPT, GMAT, POST, OTIS, Copernicus, EMTG as needed.
• Explore time-dependent problems in RPO, cislunar trajectories, and hypersonics contexts.

Skills

Trajectory design

Astrodynamics

Orbit propagation

Maneuver optimization

Propulsion analysis

RPO objectives

CONOPS development

Flight dynamics tools

AI/ML in flight

Python / MATLAB

Education

Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering

Advanced degree in aerospace engineering (desirable)

Tools

ASSET

GPOPS-II

SNOPT

GMAT

OTIS

Copernicus

EMTG

POST

MATLAB

Python

Job description

The Aerospace Corporation seeks a Flight Dynamics Engineer to design and optimize trajectories for launch vehicles and spacecraft across multiple earth-centric orbits. You will apply astrodynamics, orbit propagation, and maneuver optimization to deliver robust solutions for challenging national space programs.

Role requires experience with propulsion analysis, CONOPS development, and RPO objectives, plus proficiency in Python/MATLAB.