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 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 Earth Orbit Flight Dynamics Department (EOFDD) providesflight mechanicsexpertisefor launch vehiclesand space vehicles.Relevant skillsinclude orbital mechanics, astrodynamics, trajectory design and optimization, and atmospheric flight modeling and simulation.We are looking for a.The selected candidate willprovideexpertisefor a wide range of customer flight mechanics needs,supporting both analysis and 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 includedefense, intelligence, and civil and commercialorganizations.Work Model- This position will be a hybrid work model based in El Segundo, CA, Colorado Springs, CO, Chantilly, VA, or Albuquerque, NM, with the expectation that the selected candidateworksat least4days a week onsite, as the business needs allow.WhatYou'llPrimary Support- Trajectory design and optimization for launch vehicles and spacecraft for missionsoperatingin LEO, MEO, HEO, GEO, and other earth-centric regimes- Astrodynamics and orbital mechanics analysis including orbit propagation and maneuver designand optimization for orbit transfer,stationkeeping, graveyard, disposal, and reentry events- Evaluating contestedmissionsapplications for space systems to understand threat performance, assess vulnerabilities, and improve system resiliency- Develop space warfighting tactics aligned to the Chief of Space Operations (CSO) priorities by providing technical, operational, and risk assessments- Understand customerrequirements, models, and algorithms to develop integratedarchitectures and recommend technical and operational needs for Ops Centers' processes- Exploring and defining the evolving Dynamic Space Operations (DSO) mission area- Maneuver and orbit design,selection, and optimization for missions that support Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO)objectiveswith complex operational constraints- Developing Concepts of Operations (CONOPS), exploring Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs), and incorporating operational constraints into the design and maturation of space systems- 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, G OPS-II, SNOPT, POST, OTIS, Copernicus, GMAT, EMTG, etc. whereappropriate toaugment internally developed capabilities- Communicating effectively with customers and management throughtimelyreporting of technical issues, analysis reports, and recommendationsAdditionalinter-department partnership collaborations opportunities:- Cislunar and exploration-class orbital mechanics analysis and trajectory optimization- Hypersonics, missiles, interceptors, and reentry vehicle trajectory design and optimization- Time-dependent Traveling Salesman Problems and Facility Location Problem analysis- Integrated, multi-disciplinary RPO system simulationsWhat You Need to be SuccessfulMinimumRequirements for theSeniorMember of the Technical Staff - Flight Mechanics position:- Bachelor's degree in aeronautical/astronautical engineering, physics or applied mathematics, or related disciplines- Five or moreyearsof experienceinflight mechanics,astrodynamics,maneuver optimization,trajectory optimization, launch vehicle trajectory design,hypersonic vehicle modeling, orgeneraltrajectory modeling and simulation- Experience in space-relevantTTPsdevelopment, operational planning, or battle management- Proficiencyin one or more of the following programming languagesand environments: C, C++, Fortran, Python,Linux, Java, and/or MATLAB- The ability tooperateindependently, often in the presence of ambiguity, and still deliver high-quality,innovative, and specializedend products to a range of customers- Willing to traveldomesticallyapprox.10%- The ability to obtain andmaintainaUS security clearance isrequired. U.S citizenship isrequiredto obtain a security clearance.- The ability to obtain andmaintaina TS clearance (SSBI) with SCI access is strongly preferred (applicant will besubmittedfor this clearance upon hiring if they do not currentlypossessit)In addition to the above, theminimum- Eightor moreyears of experience of relevant technical workor PhD- Demonstrated technical excellence in the relevantjobcapabilitiesand functions- The ability tooperateindependently, often in the presence of ambiguity, and still deliver high quality, relevant end products to a range of customersHow You Can Stand OutIt would be impressive if youhave- Advanced degree inaeronautical/astronautical engineering, physics or applied mathematics, or related disciplines is strongly desired- Graduatelevelcourse work,researchand/or experience in one or more of the following areas:orbitalmechanics,astrodynamics, ascent trajectory modeling, hypersonic flight simulation,optimalcontrol, flight mechanics,and/ortrajectory modeling and simulation- Familiarity with National Security Space Enterprise operational communities and experience with translating warfighter needs into analysis frameworks.- Experienceusing orbuilding 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- Current TS/SCIand/orTS/SAP AccessWe 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,

Created: 2026-05-02