2026 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 an Emerging Missions Flight Dynamics Engineer, you will provide flight mechanics expertise for various aerospace missions, supporting analysis, research, and development requests while collaborating with engineering partners to deliver integrated solutions. Responsibilities - 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 - 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 Skills - Master's 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 - 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 Benefits - 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 Company Overview - As the government’s preeminent space innovation partner, Aerospace brings technical expertise to advance the nation's missions in space. It was founded in 1960, and is headquartered in El Segundo, California, USA, with a workforce of 1001-5000 employees. Its website is http://www.aerospace.org.