2026 Emerging Missions 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.

Job Description

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.

As a core component of EED the Emerging Missions Flight Dynamics Department (EMFDD) provides flight mechanics expertise for the cislunar domain multi-objective traveling salesman trajectory sequence generation facility location optimization and trans-atmospheric flight design for missiles hyperglide vehicles and reentry vehicles. Relevant skills include orbital mechanics astrodynamics trajectory design and optimization and atmospheric flight modeling and simulation. The selected candidate will provide expertise for 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 to facilitate integrated solutions for our customers hardest problems. Customers will include defense intelligence and civil and commercial organizations.

Work Model

• This is a full-time position based in El Segundo CA Huntsville AL Albuquerque NM Colorado Springs CO or Chantilly VA 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:

Primary Support

• Hypersonic/high-speed air system missile interceptor and reentry vehicle trajectory design and optimization
• Missile system engagement simulation and performance analysis
• Cislunar and exploration-class orbital mechanics analysis and trajectory optimization

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

• Astrodynamics and orbital mechanics analysis including orbit propagation and maneuver design and optimization for orbit transfer station keeping graveyard disposal and reentry events

• Analysis of vehicles with chemical and/or electric propulsion

• Evaluating contested missions applications for space systems to understand threat performance assess vulnerabilities and improve system resiliency

• Developing Concepts of Operations (CONOPS) exploring Tactics Techniques and Procedures (TTPs) and incorporating operational constraints into the design and maturation of space and near-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

• 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:

• Maneuver and orbit design selection and optimization for missions that support Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) objectives with complex operational constraints

• Trajectory design and optimization for launch vehicles and spacecraft for missions operating in LEO MEO HEO GEO and other earth-centric regimes

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements

• Masters or PhD degree from an accredited college/university program in Engineering Science Mathematics or related technical discipline (pursuing or conferred within last 12 months)
• 0-1 years of relevant professional technical work experience.
• Experience in one or more of the following subjects: space mission analysis and design advanced astrodynamics algorithm design software development or mathematical modeling multi-objective optimization trajectory simulation and performance optimization of spacecraft missiles and reentry vehicles
• Proficiency with 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 the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance which is issued by the US government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

How You Can Stand Out

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

• 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 relevant end products to a range of customers
• Research or professional experience in engineering mathematics physics computer science or related field.
• Experience 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 variations
• Advanced algorithm development skills to include parallel processing and scripting experience
• Experience with contested space and/or missile defense trajectory applications military exercises and wargaming events
• Experience with missile warning and tracking and/or space domain awareness systems or applications
• Ability to build and foster effective working relationships with customers contractors Federally Funded Research & Development Center (FFRDC) and other personnel.
• Experience directly interfacing with senior government customers.
• Experience in spacecraft launch or missile operations.
• Current SSBI with an active TS/SCI clearance.
• Current SAP access.

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.