Flight Dynamics Engineer

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 divisionleveragesa 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 corecomponentof EED, the Earth Orbit Flight Dynamics Department (EOFDD) providesflight mechanicsexpertisefor launch vehiclesand space vehicles.Relevant skillsinclude orbital mechanics, astrodynamics, trajectory design and optimization, and atmospheric flight modeling and simulation.We are looking for aMember of the Technical Staff/Senior Member of the Technical Staffto join the EOFDD team.The selected candidate willprovideexpertisefor a wide range of customer flightmechanicsneeds,supporting both analysis and research and development requests. The work will require candidates to provide deep technical solutions while also collaborating with engineering partners tofacilitateintegrated solutions for our customers' hardest problems. Customers will includedefense, intelligence, and civil and commercialorganizations.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 candidateworksat least4days a week onsite, as the business needs allow.WhatYou'llBe Doing Primary Support Trajectory design and optimization for launch vehicles and spacecraft for missionsoperatingin LEO, MEO, HEO, GEO, and other earth-centric regimesAstrodynamics and orbital mechanics analysis including orbit propagation and maneuver design and optimization for orbit transfer,stationkeeping, graveyard, disposal, and reentry eventsAnalysis of vehicles with chemical and/or electric propulsionEvaluating contestedmissionsapplications for space systems to understand threat performance, assess vulnerabilities, and improve system resiliencyExploring and defining the evolving Dynamic Space Operations (DSO) mission areaManeuver and orbit design,selection, and optimization for missions that support Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO)objectiveswith complex operational constraintsDeveloping Concepts of Operations (CONOPS), exploring Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs), and incorporating operational constraints into the design and maturation of space systemsProviding operational support for nominal launch and spacecraft deployment and transfer sequences, anomaly resolution, and on-call emerging eventsUtilizingoptimalcontrol, 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 submodulesCombining AI/ML/RL techniques with flight mechanics modeling for assessing complex analysis and decision-making trade spacesPerforming research and development and building new flight dynamics tools to cultivate andmaintaina healthy and modern internal tool baseLeveraging external tools like ASSET, GPOPS-II, SNOPT, POST, OTIS, Copernicus, GMAT, EMTG, etc. whereappropriate toaugment internally developed capabilitiesAdditionalinter-department partnership collaborations opportunities: Cislunar and exploration-class orbital mechanics analysis and trajectory optimizationHypersonics, missiles, interceptors, and reentry vehicle trajectory design and optimizationTime-dependent Traveling Salesman Problems and Facility Location Problem analysisIntegrated, multi-disciplinary RPO system simulationsWhat You Need to be Successful MinimumRequirements for the Member of the Technical Staff - Flight Mechanics position: Bachelor's degree in aeronautical/astronautical engineering, physics or applied mathematics, or related disciplinesTwo years of experienceinflight mechanics,astrodynamics,maneuver optimization,trajectory optimization, launch vehicle trajectory design,hypersonic vehicle modeling, orgeneraltrajectory modeling and simulationProficiencyin one or more of the following programming languagesand environments: C, C++, Fortran, Python,Linux, and/or MATLABWilling to traveldomesticallyapprox.10%The ability to obtain andmaintainaUS security clearance isrequired. U.S citizenship isrequiredto obtain a security clearance.The ability to obtain andmaintaina TS clearance (SSBI) with SCI access is strongly preferred (applicant will besubmittedfor this clearance upon hiring if they do not currentlypossessit)In addition to the above, theminimumrequirements for the Senior Member of the Technical Staff - Flight Mechanics positioninclude: Five or moreyears of experience of relevant technical workor PhDDemonstrated technical excellence in the relevantjobcapabilitiesand functionsThe ability tooperateindependently, often in the presence of ambiguity, and still deliver high quality, relevant end products to a range of customersHow You Can Stand Out It would be impressive if youhaveone or more of these: Advanced degree inaeronautical/astronautical engineering, physics or applied mathematics, or related disciplines is strongly desiredGraduatelevelcourse work,researchand/or experience in one or more of the following areas:orbitalmechanics,astrodynamics, ascent trajectory modeling, hypersonic flight simulation,optimalcontrol, flight mechanics,and/ortrajectory modeling and simulationExperienceusing orbuilding analysis software to combine numerical methods, orbital or flight mechanics, and optimization approaches for launch vehicles,missiles, interceptors,spacecraft, or reentry vehicles(hypersonics)Experience with nonlinear programming (non-linear programming), direct methods, gradient-based optimization, parameter optimization, genetic algorithms, evolutionary algorithms, heuristic optimization methods, indirect methods, and/or calculus of variationsAdvanced algorithm development skills to include parallel processing and scripting experienceExperience with contested space trajectory applications, military exercises,and wargaming eventsCurrent TS/SCIand/orTS/SAP AccessWe offer a competitive compensation package where you'll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills.(Min - Max) $95,200.00 - $165,500.00Pay Basis: Annual Leadership Competencies Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who: Operate Strategically Lead Change Engage with Impact Foster Innovation Deliver ResultsWays We Reward Our Employees During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits. Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type.A few highlights include: Comprehensive health care and wellness plansPaid holidays, sick time, and vacationStandard and alternate work schedules, including telework options401(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 hireFlexible spending accountsVariable pay program for exceptional contributionsRelocation assistanceProfessional growth and development programs to help advance your careerEducation assistance programsAn inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respectWe are all unique, from various backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other-the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.Equal Opportunity Commitment The Aerospace Corporation is anequalopportunityemployer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression,color,religion,geneticinformation,marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you're an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by emailatpeoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org.You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal .