Multi-Domain Trajectory Design Engineer

aero; United States; Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation is seeking a Member of the Technical Staff to join the Emerging Missions Flight Dynamics Department in El Segundo, CA, Huntsville, AL, Chantilly, VA, or Albuquerque, NM. The role focuses on flight mechanics expertise, trajectory optimization, and multi-domain mission design for advanced space systems.

Join a team that delivers innovative solutions across satellite, launch, ground, and cyber domains for defense, civil, and commercial customers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, Mathematics or related technical discipline.
• At least two years of relevant professional, technical work experience.
• Experience in space mission analysis and design, astrodynamics, algorithm design, software development, or mathematical modeling.
• Proficiency with one or more programming languages/tools: C, C++, Python, Fortran, MATLAB.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Willing to travel domestically to customer and contractor facilities (approx. 10%).

Responsibilities

• Trajectory design and optimization for hypersonic/high-speed systems, missiles, interceptors, and reentry vehicles.
• Missile system and missile defense engagement simulation and performance analysis.
• Multi-domain mission design for systems transitioning between orbital and atmospheric regimes.
• Constrained optimal control for vehicles with aerodynamic and/or propulsive forces.
• Contested space mission evaluation and resiliency improvement.
• Development of new capabilities using optimal control, flight mechanics, and algorithm development.
• Algorithm and software R&D to maintain modern internal tool base.
• Use of external tools like ASSET, GPOPS-II, SNOPT, POST, OTIS, Copernicus, GMAT, EMTG as appropriate.

Skills

Trajectory design

Astrodynamics

Optimization

Software development

Python

C/C++

MATLAB

Communication

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Science/Mathematics

Tools

ASSET

GPOPS-II

SNOPT

POST

OTIS

Copernicus

GMAT

EMTG

Job description

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation's space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space- delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you'll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.

The Enterprise Effects Division (EED) drives integration of Aerospace's strategic capabilities across the national space enterprise. The division leverages a broad array of engineering disciplines against a dynamic portfolio of programs, customers, and national challenges. EED spans the capability lifecycle from concept and architecture design to performance assessment to application of space and space-enabled capabilities.

As a core component of EED, the Emerging Missions Flight Dynamics Department (EMFDD) provides flight mechanics expertise for the cislunar domain, multi-objective "traveling salesman" trajectory sequence generation, facility location optimization, and trans-atmospheric flight design for missiles, hyperglide vehicles, and reentry vehicles. Relevant skills include orbital mechanics, astrodynamics, trajectory design and optimization, and atmospheric flight modeling and simulation. We are seeking a Member of the Technical Staff/Senior Member of the Technical Staff to join the EMFDD team. The selected candidate will provide expertise for a wide range of customer flight mechanics needs, supporting analysis, research, and development requests. The work will require candidates to provide deep technical solutions while also collaborating with engineering partners to facilitate integrated solutions for our customers' hardest problems. Customers will include defense, intelligence, and civil and commercial organizations .

Work Model

This is a full-time position based in El Segundo, CA, Huntsville, AL, Chantilly, VA or Albuquerque, NM , offering an in-person work model that combines 4 or more regular onsite workdays per week and remote flexibility as business needs allow .

What You'll be Doing:

Primary Support

• Trajectory design and optimization for hypersonic/high-speed systems, missiles, interceptors, and reentry vehicles
• Missile system and missile defense engagement simulation and performance analysis
• Multi-domain mission design for systems transiting orbital and atmospheric regimes
• Constrained o ptimal control determination for vehicles with aerodynamic and/or propulsive forces (chemical, electric, other)
• Contested space mission evaluation: threat assessment, vulnerability analysis, and system resiliency improvement
• CONOPS development, TTP exploration, and operational constraint integration for space, near-space, and reentry systems
• Development of new capabilities using optimal control, flight mechanics, and algorithm development for stand-alone services and integration-ready submodules
• Algorithm and software R&D to maintain modern internal tool base
• Application of external tools like ASSET, GPOPS-II, SNOPT, POST, OTIS, Copernicus, GMAT, EMTG, etc. where appropriate to augment internally developed capabilities

Additional support opportunities:

• Cislunar and exploration-class trajectory optimization and application of dynamical systems theory
• Time-dependent Traveling Salesman Problems and Facility Location Problem analysis
• Reentry risk and range safety assessments
• Astrodynamics analysis: orbit propagation, maneuver design/optimization for orbit transfer, station keeping, graveyard, disposal, and reentry
• O perational support for nominal launch, spacecraft deployment/transfer, anomaly resolution, and emerging events
• Maneuver and orbit design/optimization for Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) with complex constraints
• Trajectory design and optimization for launch vehicles and spacecraft for missions operating in LEO, MEO, HEO, GEO, and other earth-centric regimes

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for Member of Technical Staff - Flight Mechanics :

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited program in Engineering, Science, Mathematics , or related technical discipline.
• At least two years of relevant professional, technical work experience.
• Experience in one or more of the following subjects : space mission analysis and design, advanced astrodynamics, algorithm design, software development, or mathematical modeling , multi-objective optimization, trajectory simulation and performance optimization of spacecraft, missiles, and reentry vehicles
• Proficiency with one or more of the following programming languages/tools: C, C++, Python, Fortran, MATLAB.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Willing to travel domestically to customer and contractor facilities (approx. 10%)

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