Space Flight Dynamics Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation•El Segundo, CA

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Aerospace Corporation is seeking a Member of the Technical Staff or Senior Member of the Technical Staff to join its Earth Orbit Flight Dynamics Department (EOFDD), part of the Enterprise Effects Division. The department provides space flight mechanics expertise for launch vehicles and spacecraft. In this role, the selected candidate will address customer flight mechanics needs through analysis and research and development, delivering technical solutions and collaborating with engineering partners. Customers include defense, intelligence, civil, and commercial organizations. The position supports trajectory design and optimization, astrodynamics and orbital mechanics analysis, vehicle propulsion analysis, contested mission assessment, Dynamic Space Operations, and rendezvous and proximity operations. The work may also include operational support for launches and spacecraft deployment, anomaly resolution, developing flight dynamics capabilities and tools, applying AI/ML/RL techniques, and using external tools where appropriate. Additional collaboration opportunities may involve cislunar and exploration missions, hypersonics and missiles, time-dependent optimization problems, and integrated RPO simulations. The position follows a hybrid work model based in El Segundo, California; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Chantilly, Virginia; or Albuquerque, New Mexico. The selected candidate is expected to work onsite at least four days per week, as business needs allow, and travel domestically approximately 10% of the time.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in aeronautical or astronautical engineering, physics, applied mathematics, or a related discipline.
At least two 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 C, C++, Fortran, Python, Linux, and MATLAB.
Willingness to travel domestically approximately 10% of the time.
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a clearance.
For the Senior Member of the Technical Staff level: at least five years of relevant technical work experience or a Ph.D.
For the senior-level position: demonstrated technical excellence in relevant job capabilities and functions.
For the senior-level position: ability to operate independently, often amid ambiguity, and deliver high-quality, relevant results to a range of customers.
For the senior-level position: clear communication and presentation of technical content for audiences with varying levels of technical familiarity.

Nice To Haves

An advanced degree in aeronautical or astronautical engineering, physics, applied mathematics, or a related discipline.
Graduate-level coursework, research, or experience in orbital mechanics, astrodynamics, ascent trajectory modeling, hypersonic flight simulation, optimal control, flight mechanics, or trajectory modeling and simulation.
Experience using or building analysis software that combines numerical methods, orbital or flight mechanics, and optimization for launch vehicles, missiles, interceptors, spacecraft, or reentry vehicles.
Experience with nonlinear programming, direct methods, gradient-based optimization, parameter optimization, genetic or evolutionary algorithms, heuristic optimization, indirect methods, or calculus of variations.
Advanced algorithm development skills, including parallel processing and scripting.
Experience with contested space trajectory applications, military exercises, or wargaming events.
Current TS/SCI and/or TS/SAP access.
Ability to obtain and maintain a TS clearance with SSBI and SCI access is strongly preferred; applicants without it may be submitted for the clearance upon hiring.

Responsibilities

Design and optimize trajectories for launch vehicles and spacecraft operating in Earth-centric regimes, including LEO, MEO, HEO, and GEO.
Perform astrodynamics and orbital mechanics analyses, including orbit propagation and maneuver design and optimization for transfers, stationkeeping, graveyard, disposal, and reentry events.
Analyze vehicles using chemical and/or electric propulsion.
Evaluate contested space mission applications to understand threat performance, assess vulnerabilities, and improve system resiliency.
Explore and define the Dynamic Space Operations mission area.
Design maneuvers and orbits for rendezvous and proximity operations missions subject to complex operational constraints.
Develop concepts of operations and tactics, techniques, and procedures, and incorporate operational constraints into space system design and maturation.
Provide operational support for launches, spacecraft deployment and transfer sequences, anomaly resolution, and emerging events on call.
Apply optimal control, flight mechanics, and computer science or algorithm development to create capabilities for customer requests as stand-alone services or integrable submodules.
Combine AI, machine learning, and reinforcement learning techniques with flight mechanics modeling to assess complex analysis and decision-making trade spaces.
Conduct research and development and build flight dynamics tools to maintain a modern internal tool base.
Use external tools such as ASSET, GPOPS-II, SNOPT, POST, OTIS, Copernicus, GMAT, and EMTG where appropriate.
Collaborate on additional work such as cislunar and exploration-class trajectory analysis, hypersonics and missile trajectory design, time-dependent Traveling Salesman and Facility Location problems, and integrated multidisciplinary RPO simulations.
For the senior-level position, operate independently in ambiguous situations, deliver high-quality customer-focused work, and communicate technical content clearly using concise language and intuitive visuals.

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 a total company-paid benefit 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.
An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect.