
Flight Dynamics Engineer
The Aerospace Corporation
full-time
Posted on:
Location Type: Hybrid
Location: California • Colorado • United States
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Salary
💰 $95,200 - $165,500 per year
Tech Stack
About the role
- Trajectory design and optimization for launch vehicles and spacecraft for missions operating in LEO, MEO, HEO, GEO, and other earth-centric regimes
- Astrodynamics and orbital mechanics analysis including orbit propagation and maneuver design and optimization for orbit transfer, stationkeeping, graveyard, disposal, and reentry events
- Analysis of vehicles with chemical and/or electric propulsion
- Evaluating contested missions applications for space systems to understand threat performance, assess vulnerabilities, and improve system resiliency
- 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) objectives with 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
- 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
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in aeronautical/astronautical engineering, physics or applied mathematics, or related disciplines
- Two 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
- Willing to travel domestically approx. 10%
- The ability to obtain and maintain a US security clearance is required.
- U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
- The ability to obtain and maintain a TS clearance (SSBI) with SCI access is strongly preferred (applicant will be submitted for this clearance upon hiring if they do not currently possess it)
Benefits
- 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
Applicant Tracking System Keywords
Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.
Hard Skills & Tools
trajectory designoptimizationastrodynamicsorbital mechanicsmaneuver designflight mechanicsAI/ML/RL techniquesflight dynamics toolsprogramming in Cprogramming in Python
Soft Skills
operational supportproblem-solvinganalytical thinkingcommunicationteam collaboration
Certifications
Bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineeringBachelor’s degree in astronautical engineeringBachelor’s degree in physicsBachelor’s degree in applied mathematicsUS security clearanceTS clearance (SSBI) with SCI access