Spaceflight Dynamics Engineer: Trajectory & Astrodynamics Expert

The Aerospace Corporation; El Segundo (CA); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 166,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care benefits

401(k) with match

Relocation assistance

Education assistance

Telework options

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation is seeking a skilled Member of the Technical Staff – Flight Mechanics to deliver deep flight dynamics expertise for Earth orbit missions. You will work on trajectory design, optimization, and propulsion analyses across multiple launch vehicles and spacecraft.

You will collaborate with engineering partners, apply AI/ML techniques to flight mechanics, and contribute to the development of new tools and methods while supporting customers in defense, civil, and commercial

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aeronautical/astronautical engineering, physics or applied mathematics, or related disciplines.
• Two years of experience in flight mechanics, astrodynamics, maneuver optimization, trajectory optimization, launch vehicle trajectory design, hypersonic vehicle modeling, or general trajectory modeling and simulation.
• Proficiency in C, C++, Fortran, Python, Linux, and/or MATLAB.
• Willing to travel domestically ~10% of the time.
• Ability to obtain & maintain US security clearance; US citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Perform trajectory design and optimization for launch vehicles and spacecraft across Earth-centric regimes (LEO/MEO/HEO/GEO).
• Conduct astrodynamics analysis including orbit propagation, maneuvers, and reentry planning.
• Analyze vehicles with chemical and/or electric propulsion.
• Support contest space mission applications to assess performance and vulnerabilities.
• Develop concepts of operations and optimize constraints for space systems.
• Provide onboard and ground system support for launch and deployment sequences.

Skills

Orbital mechanics

Astrodynamics

Trajectory optimization

Programming: C, C++, Fortran, Python,

MATLAB

Education

Bachelor’s degree in aeronautical/astronautical engineering, physics or applied mathematics

Tools

ASSET

GPOPS-II

SNOPT

POST

OTIS

Copernicus

GMAT

EMTG

Job description

The Aerospace Corporation is seeking a skilled Member of the Technical Staff – Flight Mechanics to deliver deep flight dynamics expertise for Earth orbit missions. You will work on trajectory design, optimization, and propulsion analyses across multiple launch vehicles and spacecraft.

You will collaborate with engineering partners, apply AI/ML techniques to flight mechanics, and contribute to the development of new tools and methods while supporting customers in defense, civil, and commercial