Multi-Domain Trajectory Design Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation•Huntsville, AL

5d•$95,200 - $165,500•Hybrid

About The Position

The Aerospace Corporation is seeking a Member of the Technical Staff or Senior Member of the Technical Staff to join the Emerging Missions Flight Dynamics Department. The role provides flight mechanics expertise and supports customer analysis, research, and development needs across defense, intelligence, civil, and commercial organizations. The work calls for deep technical problem-solving and collaboration with engineering partners to deliver integrated solutions. The position focuses on flight mechanics, trajectory design and optimization, astrodynamics, and atmospheric flight modeling and simulation. Work may address hypersonic and high-speed systems, missiles, interceptors, reentry vehicles, spacecraft, and missions spanning orbital and atmospheric domains. The role also supports development of algorithms, software, and internal tools, and may use external analysis tools where appropriate. The role is full-time and based in El Segundo, California; Huntsville, Alabama; Chantilly, Virginia; or Albuquerque, New Mexico. Its in-person work model combines four or more regular onsite workdays per week with remote flexibility 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; U.S. citizenship is required to obtain one.

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 role.
Experience in one or more of: space mission analysis and design, advanced astrodynamics, algorithm design, software development, mathematical modeling, multi-objective optimization, or trajectory simulation and performance optimization of spacecraft, missiles, and reentry vehicles.
Proficiency with one or more of C, C++, Python, 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 Senior Member of Technical Staff: typically five or more years of relevant technical work experience.
For Senior Member of Technical Staff: demonstrated technical excellence in relevant job capabilities and functions.
For Senior Member of Technical Staff: ability to operate independently, often amid ambiguity, and deliver high-quality, relevant end 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 using or building analysis software combining numerical methods, orbital or flight mechanics, and optimization approaches for launch vehicles, missiles, interceptors, spacecraft, or hypersonic reentry vehicles.
Experience with nonlinear programming, direct methods, gradient-based optimization, parameter optimization, genetic algorithms, evolutionary algorithms, heuristic optimization methods, indirect methods, and/or calculus of variations.

Responsibilities

Design and optimize trajectories for hypersonic and high-speed systems, missiles, interceptors, and reentry vehicles.
Simulate missile systems and missile defense engagements and analyze performance.
Design multi-domain missions for systems transiting orbital and atmospheric regimes.
Determine constrained optimal control for vehicles using aerodynamic and/or propulsive forces.
Evaluate contested space missions through threat assessment and vulnerability analysis, and improve system resiliency.
Develop CONOPS, explore tactics, techniques, and procedures, and integrate operational constraints for space, near-space, and reentry systems.
Develop capabilities using optimal control, flight mechanics, and algorithms for standalone services and integration-ready submodules.
Conduct algorithm and software research and development to maintain modern internal tools.
Apply external tools such as ASSET, GPOPS-II, SNOPT, POST, OTIS, Copernicus, GMAT, and EMTG where appropriate.
Support cislunar and exploration-class trajectory optimization and apply dynamical systems theory.
Analyze time-dependent Traveling Salesman Problems and Facility Location Problems.
Conduct reentry risk and range safety assessments.
Perform astrodynamics analysis, including orbit propagation and maneuver design and optimization for orbit transfer, station keeping, graveyard, disposal, and reentry.
Provide operational support for nominal launches, spacecraft deployment and transfer, anomaly resolution, and emerging events.
Design and optimize maneuvers and orbits for Rendezvous and Proximity Operations with complex constraints.
Design and optimize launch vehicle and spacecraft trajectories for missions in LEO, MEO, HEO, GEO, and other Earth-centric regimes.

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 contributions 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.