Trajectory Optimization Engineer - Remote & Space Missions

The Aerospace Corporation; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 87,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care and wellness plans

Relocation assistance

Education assistance

401(k) Matching

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation seeks a talented aerospace dynamics professional to join the Emerging Missions Flight Dynamics Department. You’ll perform astrodynamics analyses, trajectory optimization, and develop flight mechanics software while collaborating with engineering partners to deliver integrated solutions across national space programs.

Ideal candidates have a Master’s in a relevant field, 0–1 year experience, and proficiency in Python/C/C++/MATLAB.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in aeronautical/astronautical engineering, physics or applied mathematics (pursuing or conferred within last 12 months accepted).
• 0-1 year of industry work experience.
• Experience in space mission analysis, astrodynamics, optimization, trajectory simulation and performance optimization.
• Proficiency with Python, C/C++, Fortran, MATLAB.
• Willing to travel domestically to customer and contractor facilities (~10%).
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a US security clearance; US citizenship required.
• Transcripts may be requested.

Responsibilities

• Astrodynamics and orbital mechanics analysis including orbit propagation and maneuver design for various space mission events.
• Analyze combinatorial and sequential optimization problems such as TSP and Facility Location.
• Develop and integrate flight mechanics software utilities and tools.
• Leverage external tools (SciPy, ASSET, GPOPS-II, SNOPT, POST, OTIS, Copernicus, GMAT, EMTG) to enhance capabilities.
• Evaluate mission applications for space systems to understand threats and resiliency.
• Develop CONOPS and incorporate operational constraints into system designs.
• Provide operational support for launch and deployment sequences and anomaly resolution.

Skills

Strong written and oral communication

Teamwork

Organizational skills

Time management

Project management

Adaptability

Interpersonal skills

Education

Master's degree in aeronautical/astronautical engineering, physics or applied mathematics

Tools

Python

C/C++

Fortran

MATLAB

SciPy

ASSET

GPOPS-II

SNOPT

POST

OTIS

Copernicus

GMAT

EMTG

Job description

The Aerospace Corporation seeks a talented aerospace dynamics professional to join the Emerging Missions Flight Dynamics Department. You’ll perform astrodynamics analyses, trajectory optimization, and develop flight mechanics software while collaborating with engineering partners to deliver integrated solutions across national space programs.

Ideal candidates have a Master’s in a relevant field, 0–1 year experience, and proficiency in Python/C/C++/MATLAB.