Multi-Domain Trajectory Design Engineer/Senior Multi-Domain Trajectory Design Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation; El Segundo (CA); Hybrid; USD 129,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) plan

Relocation assistance

Education assistance

Telework options

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation is seeking an Engineering Specialist/Senior Engineering Specialist in Flight Mechanics to provide expert support across hypersonic systems, missiles, and reentry vehicle analysis. The role involves advanced trajectory optimization, constraints handling, and collaboration with defense and civil program teams.

We value deep knowledge in orbital mechanics and astrodynamics, strong programming (C/C++, Python, MATLAB), and the ability to lead technical efforts while

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering, science, mathematics, or related technical discipline with eight+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience in space mission analysis, astrodynamics, optimization, trajectory simulation, or reentry vehicle design.
• Proficiency in C, C++, Python, Fortran, or MATLAB.
• Ability to manage multiple programs, mentor others, and communicate effectively.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain security clearance (SSBI).

Responsibilities

• Lead trajectory design and optimization for hypersonic and missile systems.
• Perform missile defense engagement simulations and performance analyses.
• Design multi-domain missions spanning orbital and atmospheric regimes.
• Develop and apply optimal control for vehicles with aerodynamic/propulsive forces.
• Support launch operations, anomaly resolution, and RPO trajectory design.
• Collaborate with partners to deliver integrated solutions for customers.

Skills

Orbital mechanics

Astrodynamics

Trajectory design & optimization

Flight dynamics analysis

Programming: C/C++, Python, MATLAB

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, Mathematics, or related technical discipline

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 diverse and 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 an Engineering Specialist/Senior Engineering Specialist 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, 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 optimal 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 systemsDevelopment of new capabilities using optimal control, flight mechanics, and algorithm development for stand-alone services and integration-ready submodulesAlgorithm 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 optimizationand 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
• Operational 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 Engineering Specialist – Flight Mechanics

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited program in Engineering, Science, Mathematics, or related technical discipline. Typically eight or more years of experience of relevant technical work
• 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.
• Ability to support multiple programs and/or activities simultaneously and to serve as a technical point-of-contact.
• Demonstrated technical team leadership and mentorship skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Willing to travel domestically to customer and contractor facilities (approx. 10%)
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the US government.
• U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

Minimum Requirements for Senior Engineering Specialist – Flight Mechanics

• Twelveor moreyears of experienceofrelevanttechnicalwork
• The ability tolead and execute large and sustained technical effortswith vision to propose, scope, and coordinate these efforts across organizational boundaries

How You Can Stand Out

• Graduate degree and/or research or professional experience in engineering, mathematics, physics, computer science, or related field.
• Experience using or building analysis software to combine numerical methods, orbital or flight mechanics, and optimization approaches for launch vehicles, missiles, interceptors, spacecraft, or reentry vehicles (hypersonics)
• Experience with nonlinear programming (non-linear programming), direct transcription methods for control optimization, gradient-based optimization, parameter optimization, genetic algorithms, evolutionary algorithms, heuristic optimization methods, indirect methods, and/or calculus of variations
• Experience with multi-disciplinary design and optimization (MDO) techniques for aerospace vehicles
• Demonstrated success in project/team leadership roles while managing resources, staffing, and technical milestones and deliveries
• Advanced algorithm development skills to include parallel processing and scripting experience
• Experience with contested space trajectory applications, military exercises, and wargaming events
• Ability to build and foster effective working relationships with customers, contractors, Federally Funded Research & Development Center (FFRDC) and other personnel.
• Experience directly interfacing with senior government customers.
• Experience in spacecraft or launch operations.
• Current SSBI with an active TS/SCI clearance.
• Current SAP access.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans
• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation
• Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options
• 401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire
• Flexible spending accounts
• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions
• Relocation assistance
• Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career
• Education assistance programs
• An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect

We are all unique, from various backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.

Leadership Competencies

Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who: Operate Strategically Lead ChangeEngage with ImpactFoster InnovationDeliver Results.

The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills. (Min - Max) $129,000.00 - $249,600.00 Pay Basis: Annual

Equal Opportunity Commitment The Aerospace Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at [e-mail] . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.

Right Place

The Aerospace Corporation has over 26 locations nationwide, which allows us to build a workforce that will nurture the best ideas, and generate the most novel innovations and solutions to our nation’s toughest space enterprise challenges.

Right Path

Airspace covers all stages of the space lifecycle, from concept to operations. We believe our people are our most valuable resource and that’s why we propel our employees forward in their careers through ongoing education, training, and professional development.

Right Purpose

We can all serve a mission much greater than ourselves, and at Aerospace that is exactly what we do. By hiring the industry’s most preeminent scientists and engineers, Aerospace advances emerging technologies that protect some of the most critical missions on Earth and above it.

Airspace employees working in organizations with technical responsibilities are required to obtain a Security Clearance. U.S. citizenship is required for those positions.