2026 RPO Flight Dynamics Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nations 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 youll 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 Aerospaces strategic capabilities across the national space enterprise. The division leverages a 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.

The RPO Analysis and Integration Department (RAID) is one of EEDs premier orbital engagement and rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO) modeling and analysis groups. We deliver impactful mission-level modeling simulation and integration support to a variety of military and civil customers to enable the key missions that will service and protect critical space infrastructure. We are looking for an RPO Flight Dynamics Engineerto join the RAID team. 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 includedefense intelligence civil and commercialorganizations.

Work Model

This is a full-time position based in El Segundo CA Chantilly VA or Colorado Springs CO offering an in-person work model that combines 4 or more regular onsite workdays per week and remote flexibility as business needs allow.

What Youll Be Doing

• Develop Concepts of Operations (CONOPS) explore Tactics Techniques and Procedures (TTPs) and incorporate complex operational constraints into the design and maturation of space systems that support RPO objectives.
• Support evaluation of contested space mission applications to assess system vulnerabilities and contribute to the development of operational concepts.
• Perform research and development and build new flight dynamics tools to cultivate and maintain a healthy and modern internal tool base that supports customer deliverables.
• Combine AI/ML/RL techniques with flight mechanics modeling to assess complex analysis and decision-making trade spaces.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to translate customer mission requirements into technical solutions and analysis products.
• Occasional travel to support customer efforts.

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for Member of Technical Staff Flight Mechanics

• MS degree from an accredited college/university programin engineering mathematics physics computer science or related field (pursuing or conferred within last 12 months)
• 0-1 years of professionaltechnical work experience
• Experience in one or more of the following subjects: space mission analysis and design astrodynamics trajectory simulation and performance optimization of spacecraft conducting RPO orbit determination state estimation relative navigation algorithm design software development mathematical modeling
• Proficiencywith one or more of the following programming languages/tools: C C Python Fortran MATLAB
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Willing to travel domestically to customer and contractor facilities (approx. 10%)
• This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
• Transcripts required for this position

How You Can Stand Out

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

• PhD degree from an accredited college/university programin engineering mathematics physics computer science or related field (pursuing or conferred within last 12 months)
• Demonstrated technical excellence in the relevant job capabilities and functions
• The ability tooperateindependently often in the presence of ambiguity and still deliver high quality relevant end products to a range of customers
• Graduatelevelcourse workresearchand/or experience in the following areas:space mission analysis and design astrodynamics trajectory simulation and performance optimization of spacecraft conducting RPO orbit determination state estimation relative navigation
• Experience using or building analysis software to combine numerical methods orbital or flight mechanics and optimization approaches for spacecraft or related vehicles
• Advanced algorithm development skills to include parallel processing and scripting experience
• Experience with contested space trajectory applications military exercises and wargaming events
• Current SSBI with an active TS/SCI and/or TS/SAP clearance

We offer a competitive compensation package where youll 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)

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 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 plans

• Paid holidays sick time and vacation

• Standard and alternate work schedules including telework options

• 401(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 hire

• Flexible spending accounts

• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions

• Relocation assistance

• Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career

• Education assistance programs

• An inclusive work environment built on teamwork flexibility and respect

We are all unique from various backgrounds and all walks of life yet one thing bonds all of us to each otherthe 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 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 colorreligiongeneticinformation 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 youre 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 .You can also reviewKnow Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.