Emerging Missions Flight Dynamics Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation

Emerging Missions Flight Dynamics Engineer at Aerospace providing flight mechanics expertise for various missions. Involved in analysis, research, and building flight dynamics tools in a collaborative environment.

Posted 4/29/2026full-timeChantilly • California, New Mexico, Virginia • 🇺🇸 United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $110,400 - $165,500 per yearWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

JavaScriptPython

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Primary Support 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
Astrodynamics and orbital mechanics analysis including orbit propagation and maneuver design and optimization for orbit transfer, station keeping, 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
Developing Concepts of Operations (CONOPS), exploring Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs), and incorporating operational constraints into the design and maturation of space and near-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
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

What you’ll need

MS or PhD degree from an accredited college/university program in engineering, mathematics, physics, computer science, or related field
Three or more years of related industry/work experience
Experience in one or more of the following subjects: space mission analysis and design, advanced astrodynamics, algorithm design, software development, or mathematical modeling, multi-objective optimization, trajectory simulation and performance optimization of spacecraft, missiles, and reentry vehicles
Proficiency with one or more of the following programming languages/tools: C, C++, Python, Fortran, MATLAB, JavaScript
Effective written and verbal communication skills
Willing to travel domestically to customer and contractor facilities (approx. 10%)
This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the US government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
Transcripts required

Benefits

Comp & perks

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

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

orbital mechanicstrajectory optimizationhypersonicsastrodynamicspropulsion analysisalgorithm designmulti-objective optimizationtrajectory simulationsoftware developmentmathematical modeling

Soft Skills

effective communicationwritten communicationverbal communication

Certifications

MS degreePhD degreesecurity clearance