Flight Dynamics Engineer/Senior 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   varied   and 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 n   Engineering Specialist /Senior Engineering Specialist   to join the EOFDD team .   T he selected candidate will   provide   expertise   for   a wide ran ge   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   collaboratin g   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   d esign and opt imization for launch vehicles   and spacecraft   for missions   operating   in LEO, MEO, HEO, GEO , and other earth-centric regimes  

• Astrodynamics and   o rbital   m echanics 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 c ontested   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 system s    

• Providing o perational support   for nominal   launch and   spacecraft   deployment   and transfer   sequences, anomaly resolution, and on-call emerging event s  

• Utilizing   o ptimal   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, G MAT, 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   supporting Golden Dome or other related mission areas  

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

• Integrated,   m ul ti -disciplinary RPO   system simulations  

What You Need to be Successful   

Minimum   Requirements for the   Engineering Specialist   – Flight Mechanics   position:  

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

• Eight   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  

• Proficiency   in one or more of the following programming languages   and environments : C, C++, Fortran, Python,   Linux, 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   (TS clearance (SSBI) with SCI access)   is   required . U.S citizenship is   required   to obtain a security clearance.   

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

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