Flight Dynamics Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation•Huntsville, AL

11d•$95,200 - $165,500•Hybrid

About The Position

The Aerospace Corporation is seeking a Flight Dynamics Engineer to join the Enterprise Effects Division (EED), specifically within the Emerging Missions Flight Dynamics Department (EMFDD). This department focuses on flight mechanics for various domains including cislunar, multi-objective trajectory generation, facility location optimization, and trans-atmospheric flight design. The selected candidate will provide expertise for a wide range of customer flight mechanics needs, supporting analysis, research, and development. This role requires providing deep technical solutions and collaborating with engineering partners to solve complex customer problems for defense, intelligence, civil, and commercial organizations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited program in Engineering, Science, Mathematics, or related technical discipline.
At least two years of relevant professional, technical work experience.
Experience in one or more of the following subjects: space mission analysis and design, advanced astrodynamics, algorithm design, software development, or mathematical modeling, multi-objective optimization, trajectory simulation and performance optimization of spacecraft, missiles, and reentry vehicles.
Proficiency with one or more of the following programming languages/tools: C, C++, Python, Fortran, MATLAB.
Effective written and verbal communication skills.
Willing to travel domestically to customer and contractor facilities (approx. 10%).
Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
For Senior Member of Technical Staff level: Five or more years of relevant technical work experience.
For Senior Member of Technical Staff level: Demonstrated technical excellence in relevant job capabilities and functions.
For Senior Member of Technical Staff level: Ability to operate independently, often in the presence of ambiguity, and still deliver high quality, relevant end products.

Nice To Haves

Graduate degree and/or research or professional experience in engineering, mathematics, physics, computer science, or related field.
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.
Ability to build and foster effective working relationships with customers, contractors, Federally Funded Research & Development Center (FFRDC) and other personnel.
Experience directly interfacing with senior government customers.
Experience in spacecraft or launch operations.
Current SSBI with an active TS/SCI clearance.
Current SAP access.

Responsibilities

Provide expertise for a wide range of customer flight mechanics needs, supporting analysis, research, and development requests.
Provide deep technical solutions while collaborating with engineering partners to facilitate integrated solutions.
Support hypersonics, missiles, interceptors, and reentry vehicle trajectory design and optimization.
Conduct cislunar and exploration-class orbital mechanics analysis and trajectory optimization.
Perform Time-dependent Traveling Salesman Problems and Facility Location Problem analysis.
Conduct astrodynamics and orbital mechanics analysis, including orbit propagation and maneuver design/optimization for orbit transfer, station keeping, graveyard, disposal, and reentry events.
Analyze vehicles with chemical and/or electric propulsion.
Evaluate contested missions 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.
Provide operational support for nominal launch and spacecraft deployment and transfer sequences, anomaly resolution, and on-call emerging events.
Utilize optimal control, flight mechanics, and computer science/algorithm development skills to create new capabilities.
Perform research and development and build new flight dynamics tools.
Leverage external tools like ASSET, GPOPS-II, SNOPT, POST, OTIS, Copernicus, GMAT, EMTG, etc.
Collaborate on maneuver and orbit design, selection, and optimization for missions supporting Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) objectives.
Conduct trajectory design and optimization for launch vehicles and spacecraft for missions operating in LEO, MEO, HEO, GEO, and other earth-centric regimes.

Benefits

Competitive compensation package
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 benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested.
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