Trajectory Analyst

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Leidos’ Defense Systems is seeking a Trajectory Analyst to join our team supporting the Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonics Test Bed (MACH-TB) Flight Test Program as part of the Hypersonics Systems Division. With offices across the United States engaging in the defense, space, cyber and commercial fields, Leidos provides responsive, cost-effective engineering, scientific and IT solutions.

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Leidos Defense Systems Sector provides a diverse portfolio of systems, solutions, and services covering land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace for customers worldwide. Solutions for Defense include enterprise and mission IT, large-scale intelligence systems, command and control, geospatial and data analytics, cybersecurity, logistics, training, and intelligence analysis and operations support. Our team is solving the world’s toughest security challenges for customers with “can’t fail” missions. To explore and learn more, click here!

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Position Overview

As part of a hardworking team of engineers and problem-solvers, The Hypersonic Systems Trajectory Analyst will support the Lead Trajectory Analyst in performance of launch vehicle trajectory modeling and flight safety analysis, ensuring compliance with range safety and public risk requirements, and maturing the overall analysis methodology for various hypersonic test flight configurations. Jointly with the Lead Trajectory Analyst, the person in this role will directly influence mission design.  The responsibilities of this position include generating and communicating data products to inform trajectory shaping/optimization and flight system design considerations for optimization of experimental data gathering, while minimizing risks and unnecessary cost.

 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize 3-DOF and/or 6-DOF trajectory simulation models
• Develop CONOPS for integration with mission operations and flight software
• Conduct engineering approximations for performance
• Performing Monte Carlo (and/or probabilistic analyses) routines and data analysis to inform mission authorities of off-nominal trajectories (incorporating range safety, circular error probability, and expected casualty)
• Provide Systems Engineering with optimizations to balance performance and safety and maintain critical system constraints

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum of B.S. degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or equivalent technical field, from an ABET accredited institution
• 4+ years of applicable experience and/or equivalent education in trajectory analysis
• Strong fundamentals in flight mechanics/dynamics and simulation of aerospace vehicles
• Strong fundamentals in statistical/probabilistic analysis
• Familiarity with the development and optimization of 3-DOF and/or 6-DOF trajectory simulation models
• Familiarity with trajectory analysis tools such as POST, OTIS, TTK, RRAT, TAOS, STK Astrogator, or Copernicus
• Familiarity with Monte Carlo (and/or probabilistic analyses) routines and data analysis
• Ability to evaluate situations critically, assess complex systems, and navigate detailed requirements
• Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills
• Must work well in a collaborative, team environment
• Must pay meticulous attention to detail to ensure mission safety and success
• Must be a U.S. citizen and capable of obtaining and maintaining a minimum of DoW Secret security clearance

 Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in developing and optimizing 3-DOF and/or 6-DOF trajectory simulation models
• Experience using trajectory analysis tools such as POST, OTIS, TTK, RRAT, TAOS, STK Astrogator, or Copernicus
• Experience in quantitative risk assessment including debris risk modeling
• Experience in hypersonic trajectory modeling
• Familiarity with launch licensing processes and regulations (e.g. FAA Part 450)
• Familiarity with NASA and DOD Range Safety and Operational Requirements (e.g. RCC-319, 321, 323, 324, 326, etc.)
• Experience in explosive modeling and estimation
• Experience in building analysis toolchains and scripts (e.g. MATLAB, Python, etc.)

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting:

Pay Range:

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.