Director – Earth-Orbit Flight Dynamics Department

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.

Lead the Flight Dynamics Team Advancing Critical Space Missions

Space operations have entered a new era. Launch vehicles push the boundaries of performance. Spacecraft execute increasingly complex maneuvers across diverse mission profiles. Whether supporting national security civil space agencies or commercial operators every mission-critical decision depends on precise flight dynamics analysis.

The Aerospace Corporation is a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) providing technicalexpertiseto the nations space programs. We deliver innovative solutions across satellite launch ground and cyber systems for defense civil and commercial customers.

The Opportunity

The Mission Operations Subdivision seeks aDirectorfor ourEarth-Orbit Flight Dynamics Department(EOFD). Lead a world-class team of trajectory optimization experts orbital mechanics specialists and operations analysts supportingEarth-orbitingspace missions from launch to end-of-life.

Partner directly with DoW Intelligence Community and Civil & Commercial organizations to develop trajectory solutions maneuver strategies and operational tactics for Americas space assets in an increasinglycongestedcontested domain.

Why This Role Matters

Flight dynamicsexpertiseunderpins mission success across national security civil and commercial space. Thedepartmentsscoperangesfrom traditional orbital mechanics support to real-time warfighting analysis resiliency assessment and dynamic space operations.

As Director you will:

• Drive strategic vision for flight dynamics capabilities across launch vehicles spacecraft maneuversandmission operations
• Advance space operations through innovative tactics developmentandmission architecture analysis
• Shape technical investment in trajectory optimization tools astrodynamics frameworks and AI/ML-enabled mission planning systems
• Mentor the next generation of experts across flight dynamics orbital mechanics and trajectory optimization
• Bridge defense intelligence civil commercial and international communities to accelerate innovation

Your Impact

As Directoryoullhave the authority and platform to:

• Partner with senior leaders across government agencies military organizations and space operators on critical flight dynamics challenges
• Lead a geographically distributed team of engineers across Aerospace locations
• Advance trajectory optimization maneuver planning and space operations capabilities supporting critical missions
• Mentor and develop technical talent across a growing portfolio ofcustomerprograms

Work Model

Full-time positionminimum four days per week onsitebased inChantilly VA;Colorado Springs CO; orEl Segundo CA.

What Youll Be Doing

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute a strategic vision for a multi-location department managing25technical staffand managers
• Partner with customers to develop innovative flight dynamics solutions and position EOFD as the technical authority in Earth-orbit flight dynamics and trajectory optimization
• FormulatebusinessstrategiesalongsideEngineering and TechnologyGrouppartnersin criticalflight mechanicsdomains such astactics development spacecraftmaneuverdesignor rendezvous and proximity operations
• AdviseAerospaceleadershipon technical investmentsandorganizationalstrategies

Technical Innovation

• Drive flight dynamics excellence across launch vehicle trajectory design multi-burn orbit transfers and electric/hybrid propulsion optimization
• InfuseAI/MLintooptimizationtechniquesto transform trajectory designforlaunchandEarth-orbitingflight regimes
• Collaborate across divisions to integrate flight dynamics with space domain awareness and multi-disciplinary mission analysis

Business Development & Customer Engagement

• Cultivate relationships across defense agencies intelligence organizations NASA and commercial space operators
• Drive business development and capture planning for organizational growth in advanced mission operations and responsive space capabilities
• Represent the department atcustomer engagementscorporate forums and technical conferences

Team Development

• Lead workforce development initiatives including recruiting hiring mentoring and retention strategies
• Manage department resourcesincludingstaffing facilities and classified IT infrastructure
• Foster a culture of innovation collaboration and technical excellence

What You Need to be Successful (Minimum Requirements)

• Bachelors degree in aerospace engineering physics mathematics or related STEM field
• 10years of progressively responsibletechnicalexperiencesin flight dynamics astrodynamics or trajectory design
• Proven leadership experience managing technical organizations including staff development performance evaluation strategic planning andR&D portfoliodevelopment
• Executive-level customer relationships withdemonstratedsuccess building partnerships across organizations
• Business development acumen withproventrack recordofexpanding customer relationships
• Exceptional communication skills to influence senior government officials industry partners and internal stakeholders
• Experience managing distributed teams across multiple geographic locations
• Strategic thinking to synthesize complex technical programmatic and customer needs into actionable vision
• Collaborative leadership fostering excellence across organizational boundaries
• Willingness to travel domestically based on organizational and customer needs
• Current TS/SCI and/or TS/SAP access

How You Can Stand Out

Academic Excellence

• Advanced degree (Mastersor Ph.D.) in aerospace engineering astronautics applied mathematics or related field

Technical Depth

• Deepexpertisein launch vehicle trajectory design electric/hybrid propulsion mission design complex space operations and resiliency analysis or high-fidelity orbital mechanics
• Knowledge of AI/ML applications for trajectory optimization and automated mission design

Mission Experience

• Track recorddeveloping and maturing flight dynamics operationalcapabilities from concept to operations
• Operational experiencesupportingdirect flight operationsexerciseswargamingoroperational decision-making

Additional Areas

• Demonstratedsupervisoryexperience in aerospace defense or national security organizations
• FFRDC experience or similar advisory roles supporting government decision-making
• Experience bridging commercial defense and civil space sectors with multi-disciplinary systems engineering background

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.