Flight Dynamics Engineer: Trajectory & Orbital Optimization

Jobtailor; Alabama; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor seeks a flight mechanics and astrodynamics expert to design and optimize trajectories for launch vehicles and spacecraft across LEO to deep-space regimes. The role requires strong programming in C/C++, Python and a solid background in numerical methods and optimization.

The candidate will develop tools for optimal control, participate in challenging missions, and collaborate with defense and aerospace partners on cislunar exploration and hypersonics initiatives.

Qualifications

• 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
• For Senior Member: five or more years of relevant technical work or PhD
• Proficiency in one or more of C, C++, Fortran, Python, Linux, and/or MATLAB
• Willingness to travel domestically approximately 10%
• Ability to obtain and maintain a US security clearance
• U.S. citizenship required to obtain a security clearance
• Advanced degree in aeronautical/astronautical engineering, physics or applied mathematics, or related disciplines is strongly desired
• Experience or graduate-level coursework/research in 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 combining numerical methods, orbital or flight mechanics, and optimization approaches
• Experience with nonlinear 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 including parallel processing and scripting
• Experience with contested space trajectory applications, military exercises, and wargaming events
• Current TS/SCI and/or TS/SAP Access is impressive/preferred

Responsibilities

• Provide flight mechanics expertise for defense, intelligence, and civil/commercial customers
• Design and optimize trajectories for launch vehicles and spacecraft across various orbits
• Perform astrodynamics analyses and orbit propagation
• Develop tools and capabilities for optimal control and trajectory analysis
• Collaborate with engineering partners to deliver integrated space system solutions
• Support collaborations in cislunar exploration, hypersonics, and related fields

Skills

Flight Mechanics

Astrodynamics

Trajectory Optimization

C/C++/Python

Advanced Algorithms

Numerical Methods

Nonlinear Programming

Genetic Algorithms

Parallel Processing

Calculus of Variations

Education

BSc Aeronautical/Astronautical Eng

Physics

Applied Mathematics

Advanced Degree (desirable)

Tools

ASSET

GPOPS-II

SNOPT

POST

OTIS

Copernicus

GMAT

EMTG

Job description

Jobtailor seeks a flight mechanics and astrodynamics expert to design and optimize trajectories for launch vehicles and spacecraft across LEO to deep-space regimes. The role requires strong programming in C/C++, Python and a solid background in numerical methods and optimization.

The candidate will develop tools for optimal control, participate in challenging missions, and collaborate with defense and aerospace partners on cislunar exploration and hypersonics initiatives.