Flight Dynamics Engineer/Senior 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 avariedand 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 anEngineering Specialist/Senior Engineering Specialistto join the EOFDD team.The selected candidate willprovideexpertisefora wide rangeofcustomerflight mechanics needs,supporting bothanalysis and research and developmentrequests.Thework will require candidates to provide deep technical solutionswhile alsocollaboratingwith engineering partnerstofacilitateintegrated 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,Chantilly, VA;Albuquerque, NM, or Colorado Springs, CO with the expectation that the selected candidateworksat least4days a week onsite, as the business needs allow.

WhatYou’llBe Doing

Primary Support

• Trajectorydesign and optimization for launch vehiclesand spacecraftfor missionsoperatingin LEO, MEO, HEO, GEO, and other earth-centric regimes

• Astrodynamics andorbitalmechanics analysis includingorbit propagation and maneuver design and optimization fororbit transfer,stationkeeping, graveyard, disposal, and reentryevents

• Analysis ofvehicles withchemical and/or electric propulsion

• Evaluating contestedmissionsapplications for space systems tounderstand threat performance,assess vulnerabilities, andimprove system resiliency

• Exploring and defining the evolvingDynamic Space Operations (DSO) mission area

• Maneuver and orbit design,selection,and optimization for missions thatsupportRendezvousand Proximity Operations (RPO)objectiveswithcomplexoperational constraints

• Developing Concepts of Operations (CONOPS), exploring Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs), andincorporating operationalconstraintsinto the design and maturation of space systems

• Providing operational supportfor nominallaunch andspacecraftdeploymentand transfersequences, anomaly resolution, and on-call emerging events

• Utilizingoptimalcontrol, flight mechanics, and computer science/algorithm development skills to create new capabilities to servicecustomer requestsas stand-alone services and/orready-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 andbuilding newflight dynamicstoolsto cultivate andmaintaina healthy and modern internal tool base

• Leveragingexternal tools like ASSET, GPOPS-II, SNOPT,POST, OTIS,Copernicus, GMAT, EMTG,etc.whereappropriate toaugment internallydeveloped capabilities

Additionalinter-department partnershipcollaborationsopportunities:

• Cislunar and exploration-classorbital mechanicsanalysisand trajectory optimization

• Hypersonics, missiles, interceptors, and reentry vehicle trajectory design and optimizationsupporting Golden Dome or other related mission areas

• Time-dependentTraveling SalesmanProblems and Facility Location Problem(servicer)analysis

• Integrated,multi-disciplinary RPOsystem simulations

What You Need to be Successful

MinimumRequirements for theEngineering Specialist- Flight Mechanicsposition:

• Bachelor’s degree in aeronautical/astronautical engineering, physics or applied mathematics, or related disciplines

• Eightor moreyears of experienceinflight mechanics,astrodynamics,maneuver optimization,trajectory optimization, launch vehicle trajectory design,hypersonic vehicle modeling, orgeneraltrajectory modeling and simulation

• Proficiencyin one or more of the following programming languagesand environments: C, C++, Fortran, Python,Linux, and/or MATLAB

• The ability tooperateindependently, often in the presence of ambiguity, and still deliver high-quality,innovative,andspecializedend products to a range of customers

• Willing to traveldomesticallyapprox.10%

• The ability to obtain andmaintainaUS security clearance(TS clearance (SSBI) with SCI access)isrequired. U.S citizenship isrequiredto obtain a security clearance.

In addition to the above, theminimumrequirements for theSeniorEngineering Specialist- Flight Mechanicspositioninclude:

• Twelveor moreyears of experienceofrelevanttechnicalwork

• The ability tolead and execute large and sustained technical effortswith vision to propose, scope, and coordinate these efforts across organizational boundaries

How You Can Stand Out

It would be impressive if youhaveone or more of these:

• 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

• 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

• CurrentTS (SSBI),TS/SCI,and/orTS/SAP Access

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)

Leadership Competencies

Our 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 Strategically
• Lead 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 plans

• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation

• Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options

• 401(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 hire

• Flexible spending accounts

• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions

• Relocation assistance

• Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career

• Education assistance programs

• An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect

We 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.

Equal Opportunity Commitment

The Aerospace Corporation is an equal opportunityemployer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information,marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at [email protected] . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.