Software Quality Assurance Engineer

Analytical Mechanics Associates, Inc. (AMA) is seeking an experienced Software Developer to work onsite at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center (AFRC) in Edwards, CA. AFRC, renowned for Chuck Yeager’s historic sound barrier-breaking flight in the Bell X-1, continues to lead in aviation innovation, including the development of the X-59 aircraft. The cutting-edge work aims to reduce sonic booms, paving the way for commercial supersonic flight overpopulated areas. 

The successful candidate will join our onsite team and provide support to the AFRC’s Flight Research and Test Safety Branch in support of NASA’s Airworthiness and Safety Review Process. This position provides SQA and associated hazard analysis support to various flight projects.  This position supports the Engineering and Technical Support (ETSS) Task Order 2, under the Mission Operations Directorate (Code 600), which provides critical engineering and technical services to AFRC. This role will specifically support the Range Engineering Branch (Code 610) and contribute to cross-functional data management projects. In this capacity, the position provides both system engineering and software engineering support to the Dryden Aeronautic Test Range (DATR), including gathering requirements for the Mission Control Center (MCC) real-time displays, performing derived parameter code calculations, processing, and reviewing post-flight data, and carrying out other mission-critical tasks. Additionally, the role involves supporting real-time control room operations, troubleshooting flight system anomalies, managing DATR configurations, and serving as project liaison for Range Engineering.

Salary for this position $86,000 to $134,000 commensurate with education, skills and experience. Significant training will be invested in the successful candidate to include NASA SQA standards, policies, and practices.  Growth potential exists based on the individual’s performance and impact to AFRC.

 Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain software systems for the DATR at AFRC.
• Gather requirements for MCC real-time displays and create derived parameter code calculations.
• Perform post-flight data processing and develop tools for flight support systems.
• Troubleshoot and resolve anomalies in flight support systems and data processing pipelines during real-time control room missions.
• Support real-time mission operations in the control room to ensure accurate data management and mission success.
• Implement configuration management tasks for DATR system, ensuring consistency and accuracy of mission-critical systems.
• Serve as a project liaison for Range engineering, collaborating with the other teams to deliver integrated software solutions.
• Contribute to cross-functional projects related to data processing, management, and system integration for NASA’s engineering and technical services.
• Utilize programming skills in C++, QT, and Linux for systems programming, data processing, and parsing.
• Implement NASA’s processes and practices for software testing to ensure software quality and maintainability.
• Work with specialized protocols like SOAP/GSOAP and data formats such as XML/JSON for data integration and communication.
• Leverage experience with Range Commanders Council (RCC) IRIG standards (e.g., Ch 4, 7, 10, 11) and tools like Interactive Analysis Display System (IADS) and the 412th Mission Control System (MCS). 

MCS provides telemetry processing for the 412th Range Squadron and AFRC, utilizing commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware and a software-centric approach to replace hardware decom systems. The telemetry decommutation software plays a critical role in supporting the X-59 Low Boom Flight Demonstrator (LBFD) project.

Experience:

• Engineering (Aeronautical, Aerospace, Electronics, Computer, Electrical, Chemical, Civil, and/or Mechanical), OR
• Science (Mathematics, Chemistry, or Physics) OR
• Technology (Electronics Technology, Computer Science, Human Factors, Safety, Industrial Engineering)

Education: 

• Engineering Technicians (Non-Degreed) with specific or unique 8 to 20 years’ experience in aeronautical or aerospace design, analysis, or engineering; OR
• B.S. Degree in Engineering, Physical Science or Technology along with 3 to 10 years related work experience; OR
• M.S. Degree in Engineering, Physical Science or Technology along with 3 to 8 years related work experience.
• Military technical school certificates. These may be applied in lieu of equivalent degrees provided that the courses attended are equivalents of those offered by civilian institutions.

Applicants must be a US citizen or Permanent US Resident.

Analytical Mechanics Associates (AM