Flight Dynamics Engineer/Senior Flight Dynamics Engineer

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   varied   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, t he Earth Orbit Flight Dynamics Department (EOFDD) provid es   flight mechanics   expertise   for launch vehicle s   and space vehicle s .   Relevant skills   include orbital mechanic s , astrodynamics, trajectory design and optimization, and atmospheric flight modeling and simulation.   We are looking for a n   Engineering Specialist /Senior Engineering Specialist   to join the EOFDD team .   T he selected candidate will   provide   expertise   for   a wide ran ge   of   customer   flight mechanics needs ,   supporting both   analysis and research and development   requests .   The   work will require candidates to provide deep technical solutions   while also   collaboratin g   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 position will be a hybrid work model based in El Segundo, CA ;   Colorado Springs, CO ;   Chantilly, VA ;   or Albuquerque, NM, with the expectation that the selected candidate   works   at least   4   days a week onsite, as the business needs allow .

What   You’ll   Be Doing

Primary Support

- Trajectory   d esign and opt imization for launch vehicles   and spacecraft   for missions   operating   in LEO, MEO, HEO, GEO , and other earth-centric regimes

- Astrodynamics and   o rbital   m echanics analysis including   orbit propagation and maneuver design and optimization for   orbit transfer,   stationkeeping , graveyard, disposal, and reentry   events

- Analysis of   vehicles with   chemical and/or electric propulsion

- Evaluating c ontested   missions   applications for space systems to   understand threat performance,   assess vulnerabilities, and   improve system resiliency

- Exploring and defining the evolving   Dynamic Space Operations (DSO) mission area

- Maneuver and orbit design,   selection ,   and optimization for missions that   support   Rendezvous   and Proximity Operations ( RPO )   objectives   with   complex   operational constraints

- Developing Concepts of Operations (CONOPS), exploring Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs), and   incorporating operational   constraints   into the design and maturation of space system s

- Providing o perational support   for nominal   launch and   spacecraft   deployment   and transfer   sequences, anomaly resolution, and on-call emerging event s

- Utilizing   o ptimal   control , flight mechanics, and computer science/algorithm development skills to create new capabilities to service   customer requests   as stand - alone services and /or   ready-to-integrate submodules

- Combining AI/ML/RL techniques with flight mechanics modeling for assessing complex analysis and decision-making trade spaces

- Performing research and development and   building new   flight dynamics   tools   to cultivate and   maintain   a healthy and modern internal tool base

- Leveraging   external tools like ASSET, GPOPS-II, SNOPT,   POST, OTIS,   Copernicus, G MAT, EMTG,   etc.   where   appropriate to   augment internally   developed capabilities

Additional   inter-department partnership   collaborations   opportunities :

- Cislunar and exploration-class   orbital mechanics   analysis   and trajectory optimization

- Hypersonics , missiles, interceptors, and reentry vehicle trajectory design and optimization   supporting Golden Dome or other related mission areas

- Time-dependent   Traveling Salesman   Problems and Facility Location Problem   (servicer)   analysis

- Integrated,   m ul ti -disciplinary RPO   system simulations

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum   Requirements for the   Engineering Specialist   – Flight Mechanics   position:

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

- Eight   or more   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 one or more of the following programming languages   and environments : C, C++, Fortran, Python,   Linux, and/ or MATLAB

- The ability to   operate   independently, often in the presence of ambiguity, and still deliver high - quality,   innovative,   and   specialized   end products to a range of customers

- Willing to travel   domestically   approx.   10%

- The ability to obtain and   maintain   a   US security clearance   (TS clearance (SSBI) with SCI access)   is   required . U.S citizenship is   required   to obtain a security clearance.

In addition to the a bove, the   minimum   requirements for the   Senior   Engineering Specialist   – Flight Mechanics   position   include :

- Twelve   or more   years of experience   o f   relevant   technical   work

- The ability to   lead and execute large and sustained technical efforts   with 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:

- Advanced degree in   aeronautical / astronautical engineering, physics or applied mathematics, or related disciplines is strongly desired

- Graduate   l evel   c ourse work,   research   and/or experience in one or more of the following areas :   o rbit al   mechanics,   astrodynamics,   ascent trajectory modeling,   hypersonic flight simulation,   optimal   control, flight mechanics,   and/or   trajectory modeling and simulation

- 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 methods, gradient-based optimization, parameter optimization, genetic algorithms, evolutionary algorithms, heuristic optimization methods, indirect methods, and/or calculus of variations

- Advanced algorithm development skills to include parallel processing and scripting experience

- Experience with contested space trajectory applications ,   military exercises ,   and wargaming events

- Current   TS (SSBI),   TS/SCI ,   and/ or   TS/ SAP Access

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 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  [email protected] . You can also review  Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal .