Flight Dynamics Mission Planner & Optimization Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation; El Segundo (CA); Hybrid; USD 95,200 - 165,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care and wellness plans

Paid holidays, sick time, vacation

Telework options

401(k) plan with company matching

Relocation assistance

Education assistance and professional

Career development

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation is seeking a Member of Technical Staff (MTS) or Senior Member of Technical Staff (SMTS) in Flight Mechanics to deliver advanced optimization and mission planning for complex flight dynamics tasks.

The role involves analysis, research, and development of trajectory optimization, tree‑search algorithms, and decision making under uncertainty, with in‑person work in El Segundo, CA or Chantilly, VA and some travel.

Qualifications

• BS degree in engineering, mathematics, physics, computer science, or a related field.
• Two or more years of relevant professional experience.
• Experience in space mission analysis, astrodynamics, optimization, software development, mathematical modeling, and decision making under uncertainty.
• Proficiency with at least one programming language: C, C++, Python, Fortran, MATLAB.
• Willingness to travel domestically.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required.
• For SMTS candidates only: five or more years of relevant technical experience.

Responsibilities

• Perform optimization analysis for time‑dependent traveling salesman and facility location problems using tree‑search and multi‑objective optimization techniques.
• Design and optimize spacecraft maneuvers for orbit transfer, station‑keeping, disposal, and reentry events across cislunar and Earth‑orbit missions.
• Support the evaluation of contested space mission applications to assess system vulnerabilities and contribute to operational concepts.
• Develop and implement flight dynamics algorithms and tools that support the department’s analytical capabilities and customer deliverables.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to translate customer mission requirements into technical solutions and analysis products.
• Contribute to research and development efforts that advance the department’s optimization and mission planning methodologies.

Skills

Communication skills

Willingness to travel

Education

BS degree in engineering, mathematics, physics, computer science, or related field

Tools

C

C++

Python

Fortran

MATLAB

Job description

The Aerospace Corporation is seeking a Member of Technical Staff (MTS) or Senior Member of Technical Staff (SMTS) in Flight Mechanics to deliver advanced optimization and mission planning for complex flight dynamics tasks.

The role involves analysis, research, and development of trajectory optimization, tree‑search algorithms, and decision making under uncertainty, with in‑person work in El Segundo, CA or Chantilly, VA and some travel.