Flight Dynamics Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.The Enterprise Effects Division (EED) drives integration of Aerospace’s strategic capabilities across the national space enterprise. The divisionleveragesa broad array of engineering disciplines against a diverse and dynamic portfolio of programs, customers, and national challenges. EED spans the capability lifecycle from concept and architecture design to performance assessment to application of space and space-enabled capabilities.As a corecomponentof EED, the Emerging Missions Flight Dynamics Department (EMFDD) provides flight mechanicsexpertisefor the cislunar domain, multi-objective“traveling salesman” trajectory sequence generation, facility location optimization, and trans-atmosphericflight design formissiles,hyperglidevehicles, and reentry vehicles. Relevant skills include orbital mechanics, astrodynamics, trajectory design and optimization, and atmospheric flight modeling and simulation. The selected candidate will provideexpertisefor a wide range of customer flightmechanicsneeds, supporting analysis, research, and development requests. The work will require candidates to provide deep technical solutions while also collaborating with engineering partners tofacilitateintegrated solutions for our customers’ hardest problems. Customers will include defense, intelligence, and civil and commercial organizations.Work ModelThis is a full-time positionbased in El Segundo, CA,Albuquerque, NM,Colorado Springs, CO,Chantilly, VA or Huntsville, AL,offering an in-person work model that combines 4 or more regular onsite workdays per week and remote flexibility as business needs allow. WhatYou’llbe Doing:Primary Support Hypersonics, missiles, interceptors, and reentry vehicle trajectory design and optimizationCislunar and exploration-class orbital mechanics analysis and trajectory optimization Time-dependent Traveling Salesman Problems and Facility Location Problem analysisAstrodynamics and orbital mechanics analysis including orbit propagation and maneuver design and optimization for orbit transfer, station keeping, graveyard, disposal, and reentry events Analysis of vehicles with chemical and/or electric propulsion Evaluating contestedmissionsapplications for space systems to understand threat performance, assess vulnerabilities, and improve system resiliency Developing Concepts of Operations (CONOPS), exploring Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs), and incorporating operational constraints into the design and maturation of spaceand near-spacesystems Providing operational support for nominal launch and spacecraft deployment and transfer sequences, anomaly resolution, and on-call emerging events Utilizingoptimalcontrol, flight mechanics, and computer science/algorithm development skills to create new capabilities to service customer requests as stand-alone services and/or ready-to-integrate submodules Performing research and development and building new flight dynamics tools to cultivate andmaintaina healthy and modern internal tool base Leveraging external tools like ASSET, GPOPS-II, SNOPT, POST, OTIS, Copernicus, GMAT, EMTG, etc. whereappropriate toaugment internally developed capabilities Additionalinter-department partnership collaborations opportunities: Maneuver and orbit design,selection, and optimization for missions that support Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO)objectiveswith complex operational constraints Trajectory design and optimization for launch vehicles and spacecraft for missionsoperatingin LEO, MEO, HEO, GEO, and other earth-centric regimesWhat You Need to be SuccessfulMinimumRequirementsforMember of Technical Staff- Flight Mechanics:Bachelor’s degree from an accredited program in Engineering, Science, Mathematics,or related technical discipline.At leasttwoyears of relevantprofessional,technical work experience.Experience in one or more of the following subjects:space mission analysis and design,advancedastrodynamics, algorithm design, software development, or mathematical modeling,multi-objective optimization,trajectory simulation and performance optimization of spacecraft, missiles, and reentry vehiclesProficiencywith 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%)This position requires the ability to obtain andmaintaina security clearance, which is issued by the US government. U.S citizenship isrequiredto obtain a security addition to the above, theminimumrequirements for Senior Member of Technical Staff - Flight Mechanics position include:Five or more years of experience of relevant technical workDemonstrated technical excellence in the relevant job capabilities and functionsThe ability tooperateindependently, often in the presence of ambiguity, and still deliver high quality, relevant end products to a range of customers How You Can Stand OutIt would be impressive if youhaveone or more of these: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 eventsAbility to build and foster effective working relationships with customers, contractors, Federally Funded Research & Development Center (FFRDC)and other personnel.Experience directlyinterfacing withsenior government customers.Experience in spacecraft or launch operations.Current SSBI with an active TS/SCI clearance.Current SAPaccess.We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills.(Min - Max)$95,200.00 - $165,500.00Pay Basis: AnnualLeadership CompetenciesOur leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who:Operate StrategicallyLead Change Engage with Impact Foster Innovation Deliver Results Ways We Reward Our Employees During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits.Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type. A few highlights include:Comprehensive health care and wellness plansPaid holidays, sick time, and vacationStandard and alternate work schedules, including telework options401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total 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 in the plan upon hireFlexible spending accountsVariable pay program for exceptional contributionsRelocation assistanceProfessional growth and development programs to help advance your careerEducation assistance programsAn inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respectWe are all unique, from various backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.

Created: 2026-04-03