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.
Within the CSG, the Human Exploration and Space Flight (HESF) Division supports our NASA customer in all aspects of human space flight. We are looking for a GNC Deputy Systems Manager for the ISS Program (Senior Member of the Technical Staff/ Project Engineer – Technical Project Management). In this role you will support the NASA Johnson Space Center Engineering Aeroscience and Flight Mechanics Division (AFMD) as a GNC Deputy Systems Manager providing support to the ISS Program Office. The AFMD provides technical leadership in the engineering disciplines of aerodynamics and aerothermodynamics; guidance, navigation, and control flight performance; mission design; and autonomous systems. The division provides engineering design, development, testing, and evaluation for all phases of space flight (ascent, entry, orbit, and interplanetary) and for all types of human spacecraft.
Work Model
This is a full-time position based at NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston, TX, offering a hybrid work model that combines 3-4 regular onsite workdays and remote flexibility as the business and customer needs allow.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Define flight control system specifications and requirements and flight control requirements for sensors, actuators, and controllers
- Participate in the design, analysis, and implementation and oversight of the flight GNC automation, guidance, control, and propulsion integration for NASA Program spacecraft projects
- Work closely with the NASA programs in the integration of software and hardware systems developments
- Develop and peer review GNC flight software in C and C++
- Size, assess, and select GNC sensors, actuators and propulsion systems, performing make-vs-buy trades as needed
- Execute 6-DOF simulations to evaluate expected on-orbit performance
- Coordinate and lead internal efforts to develop ground test equipment and custom flight hardware
- Drive software-in-the-loop and hardware-in-the-loop testing for GNC algorithms and hardware verification
- Oversee the development of mathematical modeling of dynamic control systems
- Design and analysis of controllers using classical control system design approaches
- Conduct and lead flight control analysis assessing vehicle performance and stability margins for an orbital spacecraft operating in a variety of mission phases
What You Need to be Successful
Minimum Requirements for the Member of the Technical Staff – Technical Project Management
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, or other applicable STEM areas
- At least 3 years of increasingly responsible professional engineering/scientific experience; including experience in systems engineering, GNC flight performance, mission/ engineering design, or human spaceflight
- At least 3 years’ experience with SharePoint Online and Teams environments
- Knowledge and understanding of the NASA program life cycle processes and program/project management stages
- Ability to effectively utilize oral and written communication to express concepts and recommendations to personnel at all technical and managerial levels
- Work effectively and quickly in real-time environments of rapid change, conflicting requirements, and occasional pressure
- Prior experience working across diverse teams and different engineering disciplines
- Willing to travel domestically approx. 10%
- This position may require the 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.
In addition to the above, the minimum requirements for the Project Engineer- Technical Project Management include:
- At least 6 years of increasingly responsible professional engineering/scientific experience; including experience in systems engineering, GNC flight performance, mission/ engineering design, or human spaceflight
- At least 6 years’ experience with NASA or on NASA commercial systems
- Experience leading small technical teams to meet mission goals
- Strong knowledge of Microsoft Tool Suite (Excel, PowerPoint)
How You Can Stand Out
It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:
- Advanced degree in engineering, science, or other applicable STEM areas
- Expertise in building out NASA lifecycle strategy
Leadership Competencies
Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who:
- Operate Strategically
- Lead Change
- Engage with Impact
- Foster Innovation
- Deliver Results
Ways We Reward Our Employees
During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits.
Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type. A few highlights include:
- Comprehensive health care and wellness plans
- Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation
- Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options
- 401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire
- Flexible spending accounts
- Variable pay program for exceptional contributions
- Relocation assistance
- Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career
- Education assistance programs
- An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect
We are all unique, from diverse backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.
Equal Opportunity Commitment
The Aerospace Corporation is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We believe that a diverse workforce creates an environment in which unique ideas are developed and differing perspectives are valued, producing superior customer solutions. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at ieo.mailbox@aero.org. You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.
