2026 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.Job Summary The Enterprise Effects Division (EED) drives integration of Aerospace’s strategic capabilities across the national space enterprise. The division leverages a broad array of engineering disciplines against a 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 Earth Orbit Flight Dynamics Department (EOFDD) provides flight mechanics expertise for launch vehicles and space vehicles. Relevant skills include orbital mechanics, astrodynamics, trajectory design and optimization, and atmospheric flight modeling and simulation. We are looking for a Member of the Technical Staff to provide expertise for a wide range of customer flight dynamics needs, supporting both analysis and 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 ModelThe selected candidate will be required to work full time, on-site in El Segundo, CA, Colorado Springs, CO, Chantilly, VA, or Albuquerque, NM.What You’ll Be Doing Trajectory design and optimization for launch vehicles and spacecraft for missions operating in LEO, MEO, HEO, GEO, and other earth-centric regimesAstrodynamics and orbital mechanics analysis including orbit propagation and maneuver design and optimization for orbit transfer, stationkeeping, graveyard, disposal, and reentry eventsAnalysis of vehicles with chemical and/or electric propulsionEvaluating contested missions applications for space systems to understand threat performance, assess vulnerabilities, and improve system resiliencyManeuver and orbit design, selection, and optimization for missions that support Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) objectives with complex operational constraintsDeveloping Concepts of Operations (CONOPS), exploring Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs), and incorporating operational constraints into the design and maturation of space systemsProviding operational support for nominal launch and spacecraft deployment and transfer sequences, anomaly resolution, and on-call emerging eventsUtilizing 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  Combining AI/ML/RL techniques with flight mechanics modeling for assessing complex analysis and decision-making trade spacesPerforming research and development and building new flight dynamics tools to cultivate and maintain a healthy and modern internal tool baseLeveraging external tools like ASSET, GPOPS-II, SNOPT, POST, OTIS, Copernicus, GMAT, EMTG, etc. where appropriate to augment internally developed capabilitiesAdditional inter-department collaboration opportunities:Cislunar and exploration-class orbital mechanics analysis and trajectory optimizationHypersonics, missiles, interceptors, and reentry vehicle trajectory design and optimization (including Golden Dome support)Time-dependent Traveling Salesman Problems and Facility Location Problem analysis (multi-destination, multi-vehicle trajectory frameworks)Integrated, multi-disciplinary RPO system simulationsWhat You Need to be Successful Minimum Requirements for the Member of the Technical Staff – Flight Mechanics position:Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in aeronautical/astronautical engineering, physics or applied mathematics, or related disciplines (pursuing or conferred within last 12 months) 0-1 years of experience in flight mechanics, astrodynamics, maneuver optimization, trajectory optimization, launch vehicle trajectory design, hypersonic vehicle modeling, or general trajectory modeling and simulationProficiency in one or more of the following programming languages and environments: C, C++, Fortran, Python, Javascript, Linux, and/or MATLABWilling to travel domestically approx. 10%The ability to obtain and maintain a US security clearance is required. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance. This position will require a TS clearance (SSBI) with SCI access and the chosen applicant will be submitted for this upon hiring if they do not currently possess itTranscripts required for this positionHow You Can Stand Out It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:PhD degree in aeronautical/astronautical engineering, physics or applied mathematics, or related disciplines is strongly desiredGraduate level course work, research and/or experience in one or more of the following areas: orbital mechanics, astrodynamics, ascent trajectory modeling, hypersonic flight simulation, optimal control, flight mechanics, and/or trajectory modeling and simulationExperience 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,