Commercial LEO Destinations Program (CLDP) Senior Project 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.

At Aerospace, we are committed to providing an inclusive and diverse workplace for all employees to share in our common passion and aspiration – to carry out a mission much bigger than ourselves.

Building on The Aerospace Corporation's reputation as a trusted, impartial advisor with integrity and dedication to mission success, the Civil Systems Group (CSG) combines deep technical expertise with market-leading innovation to help our customers solve complex systems engineering and integration challenges. CSG is organized by core customer-facing lines of business to manage and grow programs within NASA, NOAA, and the NNSA, while extending our capabilities to other civilian federal government agencies fully integrated within Aerospace rules, regulations, processes, values, and behaviors.

Serving as the Senior Project Engineer to NASA Commercial Development programs will offer you the ability to provide a wide range of engineering and systems engineering, integration services and sustaining engineering support across various LEO platforms and various Commercial LEO Chief Engineer Teams.   Having a strong background in human rating matters and coaching teams on risks and recommendations will be a key role and attribute for this position.

Work Model

• This is a full-time position based in Houston, TX at Johnson Space Center, offering a 100% onsite work model requiring 5 regular onsite workdays starting at 8am CDT with limited remote flexibility as the business needs allow. 

What You’ll Be Doing

• Support Commercial LEO Chief Engineer’s various teams which span multiple commercial initiatives including Private Astronaut Missions, ISS Commercial Element, Commercial LEO Destinations 
• Leads discussions among all involved stakeholders (not just engineering systems-includes Human Health & Performance [HH&P], Flight Operations Directorate [FOD], Safety & Mission Assurance [S&MA], International Space Station Program [ISSP], Commercial Crew Program [CCP], and EVA & Human Surface Mobility Program [EHP]).  
• Supports the resolution of technical issues including briefing engineering and program boards.
• Integrates and technically adjudicates data (analysis, hardware configuration, testing results (qual, acceptance, demo, proto) and functionality for applicable flight phases to develop an integrated risk position.  
• Assesses technical designs and formulates an integrated technical recommendation (with options for risk reduction) to the CLDP SM’s, CE’s, System Office Manager and Program Manager. 
• Presents status, results, decisions and positions to engineering boards and/or PCB.  
• Attends partner milestone and design reviews as a representative of NASA Chief Engineer Office (CEO). 
• Other duties as assigned by NASA’s Engineering Directorate’s Chief Engineers Office 

What You Need to be Successful - [Senior Project Engineer]

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor of Science degree in engineering, science, or other applicable STEM areas

• At least 12 years’ experience working across government programs, both developmental and operational programs/projects
• Experience working NASA human space flight engineering developmental programs/projects
• Increasingly responsible professional engineering/scientific experience, including experience in a systems engineering and/or program management environment
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Independent and self-motivated; proactive ability to learn on the job and serve as the primary interface to the customer
• Ability to work within a team environment, where the team is distributed across multiple NASA Organizations, Projects and Programs and take direction from customers
• Ability to identify and communicate concerns to leadership and peers in a diplomatic manner
• Willing to travel both domestically and internationally approx. 4 trips annually (estimate)
• This position may require ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

How You Can Stand Out

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these: