The posting
Job Description
Are you passionate about solving complex problems? Join our dynamic team as an Mid Career Spaceflight Hardware Propulsion Engineer and become a vital contributor to support NASA as an Oceaneering Teammate on the JSC Engineering, Technology, and Science (JETS) II contract. As an integral part of our organization, you'll play a crucial role in the Power and Propulsion Projects section in the Engineering Department on the NASA JSC Engineering, Technology and Science II (JETS II) Contract.
This role will give you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the thrilling world of human spaceflight and deep space exploration programs. Your contributions will ensure that our services not only meet - but outperform all standards and expectations. As an Mid Career Spaceflight Hardware Propulsion Engineer, you'll find yourself at the forefront of innovation, collaborating with a passionate team who shares your dedication to excellence. If you're seeking to immerse yourself in an environment where your skills and expertise will make a genuine impact, we invite you to join our team!
We are seeking someone with a keen eye for detail, a strong commitment to owning their work, and providing superior quality. You should be a person who thrives in a diverse environment and who is comfortable communicating at all levels of the organization. To be successful in this role, you should have a sense of genuine, engaging curiosity, and a desire for growth and continuous learning.
Someone in this role would typically have a Bachelor's degree in Engineering and a minimum of five (5) years of experience in the field or in a related area. This position can be hired at any level in our professional career framework, depending on business need at the time of hire.
**International travel may be required. Possible straight time overtime and a 9/80 work schedule (every other Friday off) **
Responsibilities
The Mid Career Spaceflight Hardware Propulsion Engineer will:
- The Mid Career Spaceflight Hardware Propulsion Engineer will:
- Apply fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, materials, structures, and machine-design principles to propulsion and spacecraft pressure systems.
- Independently perform or lead propulsion and pressure-system analyses.
- Develop, review, and validate fluid-flow, pressure-system, thermodynamic, and thermal models.
- Develop and maintain engineering analysis and data-processing tools using Python, MATLAB, or similar software.
- Evaluate system architectures and lead or contribute to technical trade studies.
- Establish technical assumptions, document analysis methods, and communicate results and limitations.
- Assess component-to-system and system-to-vehicle technical effects.
- Provide technical oversight of propulsion components, suppliers, and hardware-development activities.
- Review designs, drawings, material selections, fabrication methods, assembly processes, and acceptance criteria.
- Support or lead propulsion hardware development from concept through fabrication, assembly, test, integration, and operation.
- Plan, coordinate, witness, or evaluate component- and system-level tests.
- Review acceptance-test data, qualification reports, verification evidence, and flight-readiness documentation.
- Evaluate test results and determine whether the available evidence satisfies technical and program requirements.
- Lead or support investigations of anomalies, nonconformances, and unexpected system behavior.
- Develop technically defensible recommendations for issue disposition and risk mitigation.
- Review and coordinate closure of variances, nonconformance reports, hazard reports, changes, waivers, reuse documentation, and certification action items.
- Develop verification approaches and support formal certification of propulsion systems and flight hardware.
- Assess pressure-system safety, cleanliness, contamination-control, and hardware-integration requirements.
- Support propulsion-system integration with spacecraft, test vehicles, or small satellites.
- Coordinate technical activities with NASA program and project offices, spacecraft organizations, suppliers, prime contractors, sub-tier contractors, and international partners.
- Organize and track concurrent document reviews, technical issues, risks, and action items.
- Delegate or coordinate reviews with appropriate hardware and technical points of contact.
- Prepare and present technical status, risks, nonconformances, and recommendations to program stakeholders.
- Participate in mission simulations, vehicle checkouts, propulsion console operations, and flight support.
- Provide technical guidance and mentoring to less-experienced engineers.
- Travel to supplier, test, integration, launch, or program locations when required.
- Perform other duties as required.
Qualifications
Required
- Requires a bachelor's degree in Engineering with a minimum of five (5) years of experience in the field or in a related area.
- Demonstrated knowledge of fluid mechanics and thermodynamics.
- Working knowledge of heat transfer, engineering materials, mechanical systems, structures, or machine design.
- Experience analyzing propulsion, pressure, fluid, or thermal systems.
- Experience supporting hardware development, testing, integration, certification, or operation.
- Experience processing, analyzing, and interpreting engineering or test data.
- Ability to evaluate requirements, technical drawings, analyses, test plans, test results, and verification evidence.
- Ability to investigate technical issues and develop defensible engineering recommendations.
- Ability to assess component-level issues in a broader system and vehicle context.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to organize and coordinate multiple technical activities and priorities.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with multidisciplinary teams.
- Ability to communicate risks, uncertainties, and dissenting technical positions appropriately.
- Willingness and ability to transition among branch assignments as organizational needs change.
- Ability to work effectively in laboratory, supplier, integration, mission-operations, and office environments.
- Ability and willingness to travel when required by the assignment.
Preferred
- Experience with spacecraft propulsion or aerospace pressure systems.
- Experience with human-rated spacecraft or other safety-critical flight systems.
- Experience with valves, regulators, tanks, filters, sensors, pressure vessels, tubing, and related mechanical hardware.
- Experience with component or system-level test planning, execution, and data evaluation.
- Experience with acceptance, qualification, thermal-vacuum, vibration, or other environmental testing.
- Experience with flight-hardware integration and certification.
- Experience investigating anomalies, nonconformances, or unexpected test results.
- Experience preparing or evaluating hazard reports, variances, waivers, risks, changes, or certification packages.
- Experience overseeing suppliers, prime contractors, or sub-tier contractors.
- Experience with requirements development and verification.
- Knowledge of pressure-system safety, hardware cleanliness, and contamination-control requirements.
- Proficiency with Python, MATLAB, or comparable analysis tools.
- Experience with Thermal Desktop or comparable thermal-analysis software.
- Experience with CAD software, including Creo or a comparable platform.
- Experience with propulsion console operations, mission simulations, vehicle checkouts, or flight support.
- Experience working with configuration-management, work-order, issue-tracking, or document-control systems.
- Experience developing small-spacecraft propulsion systems or rapid-turnaround flight hardware.
- Experience leading technical tasks or mentoring early-career engineers.
Proof of U.S. Citizenship or US Permanent Residency is a requirement for this position. Must be able to complete a U.S. government background investigation. Management has the prerogative to select at any level for which the position is advertised.
Essential Functions
- Work Environment - Generally, an office environment, but can involve inside or outside work depending on task.
- Physical Requirements - Work may involve sitting or standing for extended periods (90% of time). May require lifting and carrying up to 25 lbs. (5% of time).
- Equipment and Machines - Standard office equipment (PC, telephone, printer, etc.).
- Attendance - Regular attendance in accordance with established work schedule is critical. Ability to work outside normal schedule and adjust schedule to meet peak periods and surge requirements.
- Other Essential Functions - Professional behavior that enhances productivity and promotes teamwork and cooperation. Grooming and dress must be appropriate for the position and must not impose a safety risk/hazard to the employee or others.
All qualified candidates will receive consideration for all positions without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other non-merit factors.
