Launch Vehicle Mission Analysis GNC 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 Defense Systems Group (DSG) provides analysis-based decision support to senior leaders on space architectures, policy and strategy, technology development, warfighter capability enablers, systems integration, defense industrial base, and threat reduction to help shape existing and future space missions across the national security space (NSS) enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including the U.S. Space Force, U.S. Space Command, Air Force Material Command, and senior leadership at the Pentagon, but also provides a broad range of technical support across the national space enterprise, maintaining vertical responsibilities with customers’ portfolios as well as horizontal, matrixed responsibilities across the corporation.

Additionally, DSG provides deep technical expertise to the Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) in the conception, design, acquisition, launch and operations of satellite, launch vehicle, ground control, and range systems. The Launch Vehicle Mission Analysis GNC Engineer will coordinate Independent Verification & Validation (IV&V) activities for the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launch vehicles and Certification activities for the New Glenn launch system.

This position will support the Launch Systems, Operations, and Development (LSOD) team within the Launch Systems Division to provide leadership and expertise in Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC), Day of Launch (DOL) Winds, Mission Design and Performance, and Flight Operations. It will ensure successful execution of National Security Space Launches (NSSL) missions and conduct non-recurring validation of new capabilities. The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in in El Segundo, CA.

• Support the Space Force Assured Access to Space and the Office of Space Launch
• Coordinate analyses for mission design and performance, orbit insertion accuracy, stability, navigation, DOL winds, collision avoidance (COLA), and debris disposal
• Ensure mission requirements compliance
• Evaluate and mitigate technical risks
• Assess and verify GNC algorithms, flight software parameters, and system redundancy
• Provide launch support and post-flight data assessments
• Lead development of new agile mission assurance capabilities and digital engineering tools

Minimum Requirements for Project Engineer – Guidance, Navigation, and Control Engineering:

• B.S. in Engineering or related technical field
• 8 or more years of applicable experience in Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC), Mission Design and Performance or a related field
• Familiarity with six degrees of freedom (6-DOF) simulations
• Knowledge of trajectory optimization
• Ability to form and lead cross-disciplinary teams
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with internal and external organizations
• A current Secret Clearance or the ability to obtain/maintain a Secret Clearance, which is issued by the U.S. Government.
• U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance

In addition to the above, the minimum requirements for Senior Project Engineer
- Guidance, Navigation, and Control Engineering…