Autonomous Trajectory & Mission Planning Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation•El Segundo, CA

6d•$95,200 - $165,500•Hybrid

About The Position

The Aerospace Corporation is hiring an Autonomous Trajectory & Mission Planning Engineer in the Emerging Missions Flight Dynamics Department (EMFD), part of the Enterprise Effects Division. EMFD provides flight mechanics expertise across cislunar missions, multi-objective trajectory sequencing, facility location optimization, and trans-atmospheric flight design. The successful candidate will provide technical solutions for customer flight mechanics needs and collaborate with engineering partners on analysis, research, and development for defense, intelligence, civil, and commercial customers. The role focuses on astrodynamics and orbital mechanics, sequential decision-making, and trajectory and multi-objective optimization. The engineer will develop and use flight-mechanics software, assess contested mission applications, and help formulate concepts of operations and procedures while accounting for operational constraints. Additional collaborative work may involve rendezvous and proximity operations, cislunar exploration, hypersonic and reentry vehicles, vehicles using chemical or electric propulsion, launch vehicles, spacecraft, and operational support for launches, deployments, anomalies, and emerging events. The position follows a hybrid work model based in Colorado Springs, Colorado; El Segundo, California; Chantilly, Virginia; or Albuquerque, New Mexico. The selected candidate is expected to work onsite at least four days a week, as business needs allow. Domestic travel to customer and contractor facilities is approximately 10%. The position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. The role may be filled at Member or Senior Member of Technical Staff level, with senior-level requirements including typically five or more years of relevant technical experience, demonstrated technical excellence, and the ability to work independently amid ambiguity.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited program in Engineering, Science, Mathematics, or a related technical discipline.
At least two years of relevant professional technical work experience for the Member of Technical Staff level.
Experience in one or more of the following: space mission analysis and design, advanced astrodynamics, algorithm design, software development, mathematical modeling, multi-objective optimization, decision-making under uncertainty, or trajectory simulation and performance optimization.
Proficiency with one or more of Python, C/C++, Fortran, or MATLAB.
Effective written and verbal communication skills.
Willingness to travel domestically to customer and contractor facilities, approximately 10%.
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a clearance.
For the Senior Member of Technical Staff level: typically five or more years of relevant technical work experience.
For the Senior Member of Technical Staff level: demonstrated technical excellence in relevant job capabilities and functions.
For the Senior Member of Technical Staff level: ability to operate independently, often amid ambiguity, and deliver high-quality, relevant work products to a range of customers.

Nice To Haves

Graduate degree and/or research or professional experience in engineering, mathematics, physics, computer science, or a related field.
Experience with sequential decision-making and optimization algorithms such as Monte Carlo Tree Search, Markov Decision Processes, Reinforcement Learning, Genetic Algorithms, or Particle Swarm Optimization.
Experience with multi-objective optimization, linear or nonlinear programming, and/or gradient-based and indirect methods.
Experience with reachable set analysis for dynamical systems.
Experience building astrodynamics or flight mechanics analysis software with integrated optimization or decision-making algorithms.
Experience with object-oriented programming, joint C++/Python development, and/or modern software development practices such as Git or version control.
Experience with contested space trajectory applications, military exercises, and wargaming events.
Ability to build effective relationships with customers, contractors, and FFRDC personnel, including direct interface with senior government stakeholders.
Current SSBI with active TS/SCI clearance and/or current SAP access.

Responsibilities

Perform astrodynamics and orbital mechanics analysis, including orbit propagation, constellation design and optimization, and maneuver design and optimization for orbit transfer, station keeping, graveyard, disposal, and reentry events.
Analyze combinatorial optimization and sequential decision-making problems, such as the Traveling Salesman Problem, Facility Location Problem, and Markov Decision Processes.
Analyze multi-objective optimization problems using metaheuristics, mathematical programming, deterministic methods, and optimal control methods.
Create, augment, and use flight-mechanics-focused C++ and Python software as standalone tools and integration-ready submodules.
Use external tools such as SciPy, ASSET, GPOPS-II, SNOPT, POST, OTIS, Copernicus, GMAT, and EMTG where appropriate to augment internally developed capabilities.
Evaluate contested mission applications for space systems to understand threat performance, assess vulnerabilities, and improve system resiliency.
Develop Concepts of Operations (CONOPS), explore Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs), and incorporate operational constraints into the design and maturation of space and near-space systems.
Collaborate across departments on maneuver and orbit design, selection, and optimization for Rendezvous and Proximity Operations missions with complex operational constraints.
Support cislunar and exploration-class orbital mechanics analysis and trajectory optimization.
Support trajectory design and optimization for hypersonics, missiles, interceptors, and reentry vehicles.
Analyze vehicles with chemical and/or electric propulsion.
Design and optimize trajectories for launch vehicles and spacecraft operating in LEO, MEO, HEO, GEO, and other earth-centric regimes.
Provide operational support for nominal launch and spacecraft deployment and transfer sequences, anomaly resolution, and on-call emerging events.
Travel domestically to customer and contractor facilities, approximately 10%.

Benefits

Comprehensive health care and wellness plans.
Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation.
Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options.
401(k) plan with company-paid benefits of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service, plus matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested upon hire.
Flexible spending accounts.
Variable pay program for exceptional contributions.
Relocation assistance.
Professional growth and development programs.
Education assistance programs.
Inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect.