Postdoc: Advanced Low-Thrust Trajectory Design Optimization

Jet Propulsion Laboratory; United States; On-site; USD 75,000 - 92,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health

Dental

Vision

Wellbeing

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Learning

Rideshare

Childcare

Flexible schedule

Parental leave

Job summary

Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, invites a postdoctoral researcher to conduct independent work on robust low-thrust trajectory design for deep-space missions, with emphasis on operational constraints and uncertainties.

The successful candidate will develop new optimization methods, apply them to the Psyche mission, and collaborate with JPL teams while publishing results and advancing spacecraft navigation theory.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or closely related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in low-thrust trajectory optimization and spacecraft mission design.
• Experience with numerical optimization methods, orbital mechanics, and trajectory analysis.
• Strong programming skills (e.g., Python, MATLAB, C++, or similar).
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and scientific communication skills.
• Peer-reviewed publications in the field.

Responsibilities

• Conduct independent research in robust low-thrust trajectory optimization and mission design.
• Develop new optimization methodologies accounting for uncertainties, safe-mode recovery, and eclipse constraints.
• Apply trajectory design techniques to Psyche and other deep-space mission scenarios.
• Develop computational tools to support low-thrust mission analysis.
• Publish findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at conferences.

Skills

Low-thrust optimization

Trajectory design

Numerical optimization

Programming (Python)

Scientific communication

Publications

Education

PhD in Aerospace Engineering (or Physics)

PhD in Physics

Tools

Python

MATLAB

C++

Job description

Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, invites a postdoctoral researcher to conduct independent work on robust low-thrust trajectory design for deep-space missions, with emphasis on operational constraints and uncertainties.

The successful candidate will develop new optimization methods, apply them to the Psyche mission, and collaborate with JPL teams while publishing results and advancing spacecraft navigation theory.