Flight Dynamics Engineer

About this role

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 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, t he Earth Orbit Flight Dynamics Department (EOFDD) provid es   flight mechanics   expertise   for launch vehicle s   and space vehicle s .   Relevant skills   include orbital mechanic s , astrodynamics, trajectory design and optimization, and atmospheric flight modeling and simulation.   We are looking for a   Senior Member of the Technical Staff   or   Engineering Specialist to join the EOFDD team .   T he 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  

• 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,   station keeping , graveyard, disposal, and reentry events   

• Evaluating contested   missions   applications for space systems to understand threat performance, assess vulnerabilities, and improve system resiliency   

• Develop space warfighting tactics aligned to the Chief of Space Operations (CSO)   and Commander of US SPACECOM   priorities by providing technical, operational, and risk assessments  

• 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   and modernize existing capabilities   to service customer requests as stand-alone services and/or ready-to-integrate submodules  

• Leveraging external tools like ASSET, GPOPS-II, SNOPT, POST, OTIS, Copernicus, GMAT, EMTG, etc. where   appropriate to   augment internally developed capabilities  

• Communicating effectively with customers and management through   timely   reporting of technical issues, analysis reports, and recommendations  

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  

• Time-dependent Traveling Salesman Problems and Facility Location Problem analysis  

• Integrated, multi-disciplinary RPO system simulations  

What You Need to be Successful   

Minimum   Requirements for the   Senior   Member of the Technical Staff – Flight Mechanics position:  

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

• Five 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  

• Experience in space-relevant   TTPs development , operational planning, or battle management  

• Proficiency   in one or more of the following programming languages and environments: C, C++, Fortran, Python, Linux,   Java,   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   

• 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)  

In addition to the above, the   minimum   requirements for the   Engineering Specialist   – Flight   Mechanics    position   include :  

• Eight   or more   years of experience of relevant technical wo

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