In an era of dynamic change in space, Aerospace is addressing a generation of complex challenges. We operate the only federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) committed exclusively to the space enterprise. Our technical experts span every discipline of space-related science and engineering. Join our team and thrive in a career that matters to the world and you personally.

Responsibilities

The Section Manager will manage a team to provide trajectory analysis and optimization support for spacecraft, launch, and reentry vehicles, for Earth-centric and occasionally interplanetary missions. This support will span the range of a system’s life-cycle including conceptual design, pre-launch support, launch and on-orbit phases including transfer, mission, and end-of-life operations. Applicants must possess good communication skills and the ability to perform/learn the Key Functions listed below.

The Section Manager is expected to be a subject matter expert in trajectory design and optimization, with familiarity with department tools (TOP, ORBTRAN, ITOP, HYTOP, EQLaw, GPOPS II, SOS, SOAP) or the ability to quickly become an expert. The section provides support to four main areas: 1) spacecraft IV&V, Mission Assurance, and Operations Support, 2) conceptual studies for new launch vehicles and new spacecraft, 3) spacecraft resiliency, and 4) hypersonics/reentry vehicles. Additionally, the Section Manager will pursue research and development efforts to keep the department’s tools at the cutting edge of current trajectory design and optimization processes. Research should be simultaneously pursued via Aerospace’s ATIP process and directly with customer-funded efforts.

The Section Manager will be responsible for hiring new staff, performance reviews, advocating for staff recognitions, and supporting other administrative and logistical functions as required (e.g. time cards, computer inventory, etc.). The expectation is that the Section Manager will hire to grow the section in the immediate timeframe after filling the role and backfill hire when necessary. The Section Manager’s responsibilities will include business-development efforts to support the department’s long-term funding stability. Section Manager must network with Program Office and external customers to identify opportunities where the department can support new customer demands.

Key Functions

• Manage a technical section focused on trajectory optimization, both applied and theoretical, by assigning tasks, monitoring progress, and ensuring compliance with corporate policies

• Perform project management by setting goals and schedules, identifying customer deliverables, and ensuring hurdles are cleared promptly

• Perform personnel management including policy enforcement, performance reviews, and raise/award recommendations

• Mentor staff on both technical and soft skills

• Develop a network of Program Office and external customers to generate new projects for the department

• Hire to meet growing demands and backfill positions as required

• Pursue and manage research efforts, identifying capability gaps and technology game changers

• Develop advanced techniques for solving flight mechanics and astrodynamics (orbital mechanics) problems

• Perform trajectory optimization of launch vehicles, upper stages, spacecraft (chemical, low-thrust/electric, and/or hybrid propulsion), and reentry vehicles and support operations campaigns

• Implement optimization theory (calculus of variation, non-linear programming) 

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM field or equivalent

• Minimum of 8 years of applicable professional or educational experience is required

• Experience or willingness to acquire knowledge in flight mechanics, trajectory modeling and simulation, orbit mechanics, optimal control

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to work with department, program office, and customer personnel

• Proficiency in one of more of the following programming languages: C, C++, Fortran, Python, MATLAB

• Experience in or willingness to acquire the ability to function in a Unix environment

• Experience with project management 

• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance,  which is issued by the US government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance. 

Preferred

• Master's degree or high in a STEM field or equivalent

• Graduate level course work in orbital mechanics, numerical methods, and optimization

• Current and active TS/SBBI (SCI) security clearance, which is issued by the US government, is preferred. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance

• Experience with personnel management 

Equal Opportunity Commitment

The Aerospace Corporation is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We believe that a diverse workforce creates an environment in which unique ideas are developed and differing perspectives are valued, producing superior customer solutions. 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, color, religion, genetic information, 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 you’re 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 email at [email protected]. You can also review The Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law and the supplement, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.