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 division leverages a broad array of engineering disciplines against a varied 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 core component of EED, the Earth Orbit Flight Dynamics Department (EOFDD) provides flight mechanics expertise for launch vehicles and space vehicles. Relevant skills include orbital mechanics, astrodynamics, trajectory design and optimization, and atmospheric flight modeling and simulation. We are looking for a Project Leader/Senior Project Engineer to join the EOFDD team. The selected candidate will provide expertise for 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 to facilitate integrated solutions for our customers’ hardest problems. Customers will include defense, intelligence, and civil and commercial organizations. 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 candidate works at least 4 days a week onsite, as the business needs allow. What You’ll Be Doing

Primary Support Developing, scoping and leading projects across for launch vehicles and spacecraft for missions operating in LEO, MEO, HEO, GEO, and other earth-centric regimes Mentoring department staff in both technical execution and professional career development Support business development efforts in coordination with department leadership to grow new customer relationships and establish new projects Anticipate strategic priorities and build a team of stakeholders to solve those problems ahead of need Astrodynamics and orbital mechanics analysis including orbit propagation and maneuver design and optimization for orbit transfer, stationkeeping, graveyard, disposal, and reentry events Evaluating contested missions applications 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 space systems Utilizing optimal control, 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 Combining AI/ML/RL techniques with flight mechanics modeling for assessing complex analysis and decision‑making trade spaces Performing research and development and building new flight dynamics tools to cultivate and maintain a healthy and modern internal tool base Leveraging external tools like ASSET, GPOPS-II, SNOPT, POST, OTIS, Copernicus, GMAT, EMTG, etc. where appropriate to augment internally developed capabilities Additional inter‑department partnership collaborations opportunities: Cislunar and exploration‑class orbital mechanics analysis and trajectory optimization Hypersonics, missiles, interceptors, and reentry vehicle trajectory design and optimization supporting Golden Dome or other related mission areas Time‑dependent Traveling Salesman Problems and Facility Location Problem (servicer) analysis Integrated, multi‑disciplinary RPO system simulations What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for the Project Leader – Flight Mechanics position: Bachelor’s degree in aeronautical/astronautical engineering, physics or applied mathematics, or related disciplines Eight or more 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 the following programming languages and environments: C, C++, Fortran, Python, Linux, and/or MATLAB The ability to operate independently, often in the presence of ambiguity, and still deliver high-quality, innovative, and specialized end products to a range of customers