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Full Time Flight Dynamics Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Flight Dynamics Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Flight Dynamics Engineer to support the development, analysis, and validation of advanced aerospace systems. The ideal candidate combines strong analytical ...

... engineers to manage on-orbit performance and develop flight dynamics operations processes. Export Control Requirement: Due to applicable export control laws and regulations, candidates must be a U.S ...

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Full Time Flight Dynamics Engineer information

See salary details

$46.5K

$118.5K

$260.5K

How much do full time flight dynamics engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for full time flight dynamics engineer in the United States is $118,512.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $95,000.00 and $115,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Full Time Flight Dynamics Engineer vs Flight Test Engineer?

AspectFull Time Flight Dynamics EngineerFlight Test Engineer
CredentialsEngineering degree, specialized in aerospace or aeronauticsEngineering degree, often with experience in flight testing
Work EnvironmentDesigning, analyzing, and validating flight dynamics modelsPlanning, executing, and analyzing flight test missions
Industry UsageAircraft and spacecraft development companiesAirlines, aerospace manufacturers, and government agencies

Full Time Flight Dynamics Engineers focus on modeling and analyzing aircraft or spacecraft flight behavior, while Flight Test Engineers are responsible for conducting and managing actual flight tests. Both roles require aerospace engineering expertise but differ in their primary activities—design and analysis versus testing and data collection.

What are some typical challenges faced by Full Time Flight Dynamics Engineers, and how do teams usually address them?

Full Time Flight Dynamics Engineers often encounter complex challenges such as modeling vehicle behavior under diverse atmospheric conditions and ensuring precise trajectory predictions. These tasks require strong analytical abilities and close collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, including software developers, systems engineers, and test pilots. Teams typically address these challenges through robust simulation tools, regular cross-departmental meetings, and iterative testing to validate models and refine guidance algorithms. Continuous learning and adaptability are key, as technology and mission requirements evolve rapidly in this field.

What does a Full Time Flight Dynamics Engineer do?

A Full Time Flight Dynamics Engineer is responsible for analyzing and predicting the motion of aircraft or spacecraft, ensuring stability and control during flight. Their work involves developing mathematical models, running simulations, and working closely with design and test teams to optimize vehicle performance and safety. They often use specialized software to study flight trajectories, aerodynamics, and system responses under various conditions. This role is crucial in both the aerospace and aviation industries for mission planning, navigation, and guidance.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Full Time Flight Dynamics Engineer, and why are they important?

A Full Time Flight Dynamics Engineer typically needs a strong background in aerospace engineering, physics, or a related field, along with expertise in flight mechanics and orbital dynamics. Familiarity with simulation software such as MATLAB/Simulink, STK, and proficiency in programming languages like Python or C++ are commonly required, with some positions seeking specialized certifications. Excellent problem-solving skills, teamwork, and clear communication are crucial soft skills that enable effective collaboration and innovative solutions. These combined skills ensure precise analysis, safe flight operations, and successful mission outcomes in the aerospace industry.
More about Full Time Flight Dynamics Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Full Time Flight Dynamics Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Full Time Flight Dynamics Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Flight Dynamics Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Flight Dynamics Engineer jobs are:
Infographic showing various Full Time Flight Dynamics Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $118,512 per year, or $57 per hour.
Flight Dynamics Engineer

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 3 days ago


Job description

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 Description

The Enterprise Effects Division (EED) drives integration of Aerospace's strategic capabilities across the national space enterprise. The divisionleveragesa 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 corecomponentof EED, the Emerging Missions Flight Dynamics Department (EMFDD) provides flight mechanicsexpertisefor the cislunar domain, multi-objective"traveling salesman" trajectory sequence generation, facility location optimization, and trans-atmosphericflight design formissiles,hyperglidevehicles, and reentry vehicles. Relevant skills include orbital mechanics, astrodynamics, trajectory design and optimization, and atmospheric flight modeling and simulation. The selected candidate will provideexpertisefor a wide range of customer flightmechanicsneeds, supporting analysis, research, and development requests. The work will require candidates to provide deep technical solutions while also collaborating with engineering partners tofacilitateintegrated solutions for our customers' hardest problems. Customers will include defense, intelligence, and civil and commercial organizations.

Work Model

  • This is a full-time positionbased in El Segundo, CA,Albuquerque, NM,Colorado Springs, CO,Chantilly, VA or Huntsville, AL,offering an in-person work model that combines 4 or more regular onsite workdays per week and remote flexibility as business needs allow.

WhatYou'llbe Doing:

Primary Support

  • Hypersonics, missiles, interceptors, and reentry vehicle trajectory design and optimization

  • 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 contestedmissionsapplications 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 spaceand near-spacesystems

  • Providing operational support for nominal launch and spacecraft deployment and transfer sequences, anomaly resolution, and on-call emerging events

  • Utilizingoptimalcontrol, 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 andmaintaina healthy and modern internal tool base

  • Leveraging external tools like ASSET, GPOPS-II, SNOPT, POST, OTIS, Copernicus, GMAT, EMTG, etc. whereappropriate toaugment internally developed capabilities

Additionalinter-department partnership collaborations opportunities:

  • Maneuver and orbit design,selection, and optimization for missions that support Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO)objectiveswith complex operational constraints

  • Trajectory design and optimization for launch vehicles and spacecraft for missionsoperatingin LEO, MEO, HEO, GEO, and other earth-centric regimes

What You Need to be Successful

MinimumRequirementsforMember of Technical Staff- Flight Mechanics:

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited program in Engineering, Science, Mathematics,or related technical discipline.

  • At leasttwoyears of relevantprofessional,technical work experience.

  • Experience in one or more of the following subjects:space mission analysis and design,advancedastrodynamics, algorithm design, software development, or mathematical modeling,multi-objective optimization,trajectory simulation and performance optimization of spacecraft, missiles, and reentry vehicles

  • Proficiencywith 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 andmaintaina security clearance, which is issued by the US government. U.S citizenship isrequiredto obtain a security clearance.

In addition to the above, theminimumrequirements for Senior Member of Technical Staff - Flight Mechanics position include:

  • Five or more years of experience of relevant technical work

  • Demonstrated technical excellence in the relevant job capabilities and functions

  • The ability tooperateindependently, often in the presence of ambiguity, and still deliver high quality, relevant end products to a range of customers

How You Can Stand Out

It would be impressive if youhaveone or more of these:

  • Graduate degree and/or 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 trajectory applications, military exercises, and wargaming events

  • Ability to build and foster effective working relationships with customers, contractors, Federally Funded Research & Development Center (FFRDC)and other personnel.

  • Experience directlyinterfacing withsenior government customers.

  • Experience in spacecraft or launch operations.

  • Current SSBI with an active TS/SCI clearance.

  • Current SAPaccess.

We offer a competitive compensation package where you'll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills.

(Min - Max)

$95,200.00 - $165,500.00Pay Basis: Annual

Leadership Competencies

Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who:

  • Operate Strategically
  • Lead Change
  • Engage with Impact
  • Foster Innovation
  • Deliver Results

Ways We Reward Our Employees

During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits.

Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type. A few highlights include:

  • 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

We are all unique, from various backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other-the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.

Equal Opportunity Commitment

The Aerospace Corporation is an equalopportunity employer. 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,geneticinformation, 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 emailatpeoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org .You can also reviewKnow Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.