The Aerospace Corporation

Flight Dynamics Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation

full-time

Posted on:

Location Type: Hybrid

Location: CaliforniaColoradoUnited States

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Salary

💰 $95,200 - $165,500 per year

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