Emerging Missions 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 diverse 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 corecomponentof EED, the Emerging Missions Flight Dynamics (EMFD) Department provides flight mechanicsexpertisefor the cislunar domain, multi-objective"traveling salesman" trajectory sequence generation, facility location optimization, and trans-atmospheric flight design for missiles,hyperglidevehicles, and reentry vehicles. Relevant skills for a Senior Member of Technical Staff within EMFD include orbital mechanics, astrodynamics, trajectory design and optimization, and atmospheric flight modeling and simulation. The selected candidate will provideexpertisefor a wide range of customer flight mechanics needs, supporting analysis, 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 include defense, intelligence, and civil and commercial organizations.Work ModelThe selected candidate willbe requiredto work full time, on-site in El Segundo, CA, Chantilly, VA, or Albuquerque, NM WhatYou'llbe Doing:Primary SupportCislunar 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 analysisAstrodynamics and orbital mechanics analysis including orbit propagation and maneuver design and optimization for orbit transfer, station keeping, 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 resiliencyDeveloping Concepts of Operations (CONOPS), exploring Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs), and incorporating operational constraints into the design and maturation of space and near-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 submodulesPerforming 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:Maneuver and orbit design,selection, and optimization for missions that support Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO)objectiveswith complex operational constraintsTrajectory design and optimization for launch vehicles and spacecraft for missionsoperatingin LEO, MEO, HEO, GEO, and other earth-centric regimesWhat You Need to be SuccessfulMinimumRequirements for Senior Member of Technical Staff - Flight Mechanics:MS or PhD degreedegreefrom an accredited college/university programin engineering, mathematics, physics, computer science, or related fieldThreeor more years of related industry/work experienceExperience in one or more of the following subjects: space mission analysis and design, advanced astrodynamics, algorithm design, software development, or mathematical modeling, multi-objectiveoptimization, trajectory simulation and performance optimization of spacecraft, missiles, and reentry vehiclesProficiencywith one or more of the following programming languages/tools: C, C++, Python, Fortran, MATLAB, JavaScriptEffective written and verbal communication skillsWilling to travel domestically to customer and contractor facilities (approx. 10%)This position requires the ability to obtain andmaintaina security clearance, which is issued by the US government. U.S citizenship isrequiredto obtain a security clearance.Transcripts requiredHow You Can Stand OutIt would be impressive if you have one or more of these:Five or more years of related industry/work experienceExperience using or building 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 eventsAbility to build and foster effective working relationships with customers, contractors, Federally Funded Research & Development Center (FFRDC)and other personnel.Experience directlyinterfacing withsenior government customers.Experience in spacecraft or launch operations.Current SSBI with an active TS/SCI clearance.Current SAP access.We 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)$110,400.00 - $165,500.00Pay Basis: AnnualLeadership CompetenciesOur 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 StrategicallyLead ChangeEngage with ImpactFoster InnovationDeliver Results Ways 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 CommitmentThe Aerospace Corporation is an equalopportunity employer. 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 emailat peoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org .You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.