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   Member of the Technical Staff/Senior Member of the Technical Staff   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   will work   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,   stationkeep ing , graveyard, disposal, and reentry events   

• Analysis of vehicles with chemical and/or electric propulsion   

• Evaluating contested mission   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  

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 Member of the Technical Staff – Flight Mechanics position:  

• 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)  

In addition to the a bove, the   minimum   requirements for the Senior Member of the Technical Staff – Flight Mechanics position   include :  

• Five or more   years of experience of relevant technical work   or PhD  

• Demonstrated technical excellence in the relevant   job   capabilities   and functions  

• The ability to   operate   independently, often in the presence of ambiguity, and still deliver high quality, rel

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