2027 Trajectory Optimization Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation•El Segundo, CA

3d•$86,600 - $150,400•Onsite

About The Position

The Aerospace Corporation’s Emerging Missions Flight Dynamics Department provides flight mechanics expertise for the cislunar domain, multi-objective trajectory sequencing, facility-location optimization, and trans-atmospheric flight design. The Trajectory Optimization Engineer will provide technical expertise for customer flight mechanics needs through analysis, research, and development, working with engineering partners to develop integrated solutions for defense, intelligence, civil, and commercial customers. The role focuses on astrodynamics and orbital mechanics; combinatorial and sequential decision-making problems; multi-objective optimization; and development or use of flight-mechanics software. Work may also address contested space missions, operational concepts and procedures, launch and spacecraft operations, rendezvous and proximity operations, cislunar exploration, hypersonics, missiles, reentry vehicles, and chemical- or electric-propulsion vehicles. The position is full-time and on-site at one of the listed facilities in Colorado Springs, Colorado; El Segundo, California; Chantilly, Virginia; or Albuquerque, New Mexico. Domestic travel to customer and contractor facilities is approximately 10%.

Requirements

Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in aeronautical/astronautical engineering, physics, applied mathematics, or a related technical discipline; the degree may be in progress or have been conferred within the last 12 months.
0–1 year of industry work experience.
Experience in one or more of: 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.
Willingness to travel domestically to customer and contractor facilities approximately 10% of the time.
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a clearance.
Strong written and oral communication skills.
Ability to work well in a team environment.
Strong organizational, time-management, and project-management skills.
Flexibility and ability to adapt to changing organizational needs.
Interpersonal skills to coordinate efforts and work with internal and external organizations.
Must work full-time on-site at one of the listed facilities.

Nice To Haves

PhD degree from an accredited college or university in aeronautical/astronautical engineering, physics, applied mathematics, or a related technical discipline; the degree may be in progress or have been conferred within the last 12 months.
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 modern software development practices such as Git/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 interaction 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, including Traveling Salesman Problems, Facility Location Problems, and Markov Decision Processes.
Analyze multi-objective optimization problems using metaheuristic, mathematical programming, deterministic, and optimal control methods.
Create, augment, and use flight-mechanics software capabilities as stand-alone tools and integrable submodules.
Use external tools such as SciPy, ASSET, GPOPS-II, SNOPT, POST, OTIS, Copernicus, GMAT, and EMTG to augment internally developed capabilities where appropriate.
Evaluate applications of contested missions for space systems to understand threat performance, assess vulnerabilities, and improve system resiliency.
Develop Concepts of Operations, explore Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures, 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 emerging events on call.
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.
Perform other duties, responsibilities, and activities as assigned.

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.