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

The Aerospace Corporation; Huntsville (AL); Hybrid; USD 129,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

401(k) plan

Education assistance

Professional growth programs

Telework options

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation is seeking an Engineering Specialist/Senior Engineering Specialist in Flight Dynamics to provide expert flight mechanics analysis and develop optimized trajectories for high-speed space systems. The role supports defense, civil, and commercial customers with cross-functional engineering teams.

Qualifications include a engineering degree with 8+ years experience, strong programming skills, leadership ability, and willingness to travel. A TS/SCI clearance is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Science, Mathematics, or related field.
• Typically eight or more years of relevant technical experience.
• Experience in space mission analysis, astrodynamics, optimization, or trajectory design.
• Proficiency in C, C++, Python, Fortran, or MATLAB.
• Ability to lead multiple programs and mentor others.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Willing to travel domestically ~10% and obtain security clearance.
• Senior role: 12+ years and cross-organizational leadership.

Responsibilities

• Trajectory design and optimization for hypersonic, missiles, interceptors, and reentry vehicles.
• Missile system simulation and performance analysis.
• Multi-domain mission design across orbital and atmospheric regimes.
• Constrained optimal control for vehicles with aerodynamic/propulsive forces.
• Contested space mission evaluation and resiliency improvement.
• Development of new capabilities using optimal control and flight mechanics.
• Algorithm and software R&D to maintain internal tool base.

Skills

Space mission analysis

Astrodynamics

Algorithm design

Software development

Mathematical modeling

Multi-objective optimization

Trajectory simulation

Reentry vehicle optimization

Leadership

Effective communication

Travel willingness

Security clearance

Interfacing with government customers

Education

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

12+ years of relevant technical experience (Senior role)

Tools

C

C++

Python

Fortran

MATLAB

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 divisionleveragesa 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 corecomponentof EED, the Emerging Missions Flight Dynamics Department (EMFDD) provides flight mechanicsexpertisefor the cislunar domain, multi-objective“traveling salesman” trajectory sequence generation, facility location optimization, and trans-atmosphericflight design for missiles,hyperglidevehicles, 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 provideexpertisefor 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 tofacilitateintegrated 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
• Constrainedoptimalcontrol 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 usingoptimalcontrol, 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 ofexternal tools like ASSET, GPOPS-II, SNOPT, POST, OTIS, Copernicus, GMAT, EMTG, etc. whereappropriate to augment internally developed capabilities

Additionalsupportopportunities:

• 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
• 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

MinimumRequirementsforEngineering Specialist– Flight Mechanics:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited program in Engineering, Science, Mathematics,or related technical discipline.
• Typicallyeight or more years of experience of relevant technical work
• Experience in one or more of the following subjects:space mission analysis and design,advancedastrodynamics, algorithm design, software development, or mathematical modeling,multi-objective optimization,trajectory simulation and performance optimization of spacecraft, missiles, and reentry vehicles
• Proficiencywith one or more of the following programming languages/tools: C, C++, Python, Fortran, MATLAB.
• Ability to support multiple programs and/or activities simultaneously and toserveas 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 andmaintaina security clearance, which is issued by the US government. U.S citizenship isrequiredto obtain a security clearance.

In addition to the above, the minimumrequirements for theSeniorEngineering Specialist– Flight Mechanics positioninclude:

• 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

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

• 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), directtranscriptionmethodsfor 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 directlyinterfacing withsenior government customers.
• Experience in spacecraft or launch operations.
• Current SSBI with an active TS/SCI clearance.
• Current SAPaccess.

We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. 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

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 Change
• Engage with Impact
• Foster Innovation
• Deliver Results

Ways We Reward Our Employees

During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits.

Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type. A few highlights include:

• 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.

Equal Opportunity Commitment

The Aerospace Corporation is an equalopportunity 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,geneticinformation, 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 [e-mail] .You can also reviewKnow Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.