Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Bypass Ratio • FAR • Specific Thrust

Trajectory

Term from Aerospace Engineering industry explained for recruiters

A trajectory is the path that an aircraft, spacecraft, rocket, or satellite follows while moving through air or space. Think of it like a road map in the sky or space that shows exactly how something will get from point A to point B. Engineers who work with trajectories figure out things like what route a satellite should take to orbit Earth, how a rocket should launch to reach its destination, or how a spacecraft can use the least amount of fuel to complete its mission. This is a fundamental concept in aerospace and is often mentioned alongside terms like 'flight path,' 'orbital mechanics,' or 'mission planning.'

Examples in Resumes

Designed trajectory calculations for satellite deployment missions

Optimized trajectory planning to reduce fuel consumption in spacecraft operations

Led team responsible for trajectory analysis of new launch vehicle program

Typical job title: "Trajectory Analysts"

Also try searching for:

Flight Dynamics Engineer Orbital Mechanics Engineer Mission Planning Engineer Trajectory Analyst Aerospace Engineer Flight Path Analyst Mission Design Engineer

Where to Find Trajectory Analysts

Professional Organizations

Online Communities

Job Resources

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you approach optimizing a spacecraft's trajectory to minimize fuel consumption?

Expected Answer: A senior candidate should explain how they would consider factors like gravity assists, launch windows, and orbital mechanics to find the most efficient path. They should mention tools and software used for calculations and talk about past experience with similar optimization problems.

Q: Describe a challenging trajectory problem you've solved and how you approached it.

Expected Answer: Look for answers that demonstrate leadership, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of both technical and practical constraints. They should explain how they balanced different mission requirements and managed team coordination.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What factors do you consider when planning a basic orbital trajectory?

Expected Answer: Candidate should mention key elements like orbital parameters, fuel requirements, timing, and environmental factors. They should show understanding of how these elements work together.

Q: How do you validate your trajectory calculations?

Expected Answer: Should discuss various verification methods, including software simulations, peer reviews, and comparison with established models. Look for understanding of quality assurance processes.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What basic software tools are used for trajectory analysis?

Expected Answer: Should be familiar with common industry software and basic calculation tools. They might mention specific programs but focus on understanding basic principles.

Q: Can you explain what a basic orbital transfer means?

Expected Answer: Should be able to explain simple concepts like moving from one orbit to another in straightforward terms, showing basic understanding of orbital mechanics.