Senior RPO 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.

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 wide-ranging 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 EED's 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 a Senior RPO Flight Dynamics Engineer (Engineering Specialist - Flight Mechanics) to join the RAID team.

The selected candidate will provide expertise for a wide range of customer flight mechanics needs, supporting analysis, research, and development requests. This role combines technical depth with strong communication abilities to influence stakeholders and collaborate across multidisciplinary teams. As the department's local technical representative, you'll lead analysis efforts, mentor junior staff, and facilitate integrated solutions for our customers' hardest problems.

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 You'll 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.

* Leverage broad technical experience and personnel network to address large and sophisticated tasks.

* Lead multidisciplinary teams to translate customer mission requirements into technical solutions and analysis products.

* Perform and lead flight dynamics research and development 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.

* Occasional travel to support customer efforts.

What You Need to be Successful - Engineering Specialist - Flight Mechanics

Minimum Requirements:

* BS degree from an accredited college/university program in engineering, mathematics, physics, computer science, or related field.

* Eight or more years of professional, technical work 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.

* Proficiency with one or more of the following programming languages/tools: C, C++, Python, Fortran, MATLAB.

* Effective written and verbal communication skills.

* The ability to operate independently, often in the presence of ambiguity, and still deliver high quality, innovative, and specialized end products to a range of customers.

* Willing to travel domestically to customer and contractor…