About the position
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. 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. Human Exploration and Spaceflight (HESF) Division in CSG is comprised of the company's subject matter experts for human spaceflight. HESF supports NASA and their bold human exploration missions from the NASA Headquarters mission directorates to the Moon to Mars office down to every Artemis Program in operation. We also support the International Space Station (ISS), Commercial LEO Development Program, Commercial Crew Program, and Human Health and Performance. HESF support spans from architecture and mission design to technology development, requirements and design reviews, and finally to verification, safety, and on orbit operational reviews and concurrences. In this position, you will serve as the Entry Descent and Landing (EDL) Technical Discipline Lead (Project Engineer - Aeronautical & Aerospace Structural Engineering) in the JSC Thermal Design Branch with specific emphasis on the development, analysis, application and testing of advanced EDL system materials and technology. Oversee the development of new thermal models, stress analyses, test techniques, and an overall certification path. This position is included within a specialty that involves the study of radiation, convection, and conduction heat transfer within solids, fluids, and vacuums. This position will support the Structural Engineering Division's Thermal Design Branch of the NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC).
Responsibilities
- Serve as technical expert in the field of EDL design, engineering analysis and thermal testing
- Identify technical needs and manage system engineering and technical integration activities for spacecraft EDL systems
- Provide solutions and establish criteria for the design, development test, and implementation of advanced EDL system technology needed for current and future exploration spacecraft
- Provide expert technical guidance, oversight, resolution and consultation on EDL system design analysis and testing to all Mission Directorate programs
- Support the Entry, Decent and Landing (EDL) domain by developing strategies for the advancement of necessary technologies and implementation on spacecraft in development and currently flying
- Participate in technical meetings and conferences pertaining to EDL technologies
- Engage with other government agencies, universities, and industrial companies to obtain technical information or discuss mutual areas of interest to build coalitions / partnerships with external partners
- Survey technical and scientific literature, commercial catalogs and trade journals, proceedings of professional societies, and latest reports of developments made available by other agencies in order to keep abreast of most recent development in areas of responsibility
- Propose and develop new concepts via advanced research projects in EDL technology in concert with private industry and other government agencies
- Advise management on the relative value, urgency, and feasibility of EDL system technology development projects, most fruitful approach and possible difficulties involved
- Provide expertise and technical direction to the final advanced research projects
- Initiate and provide detailed engineering analysis and technical consultations for development, design, testing and evaluation of spacecraft TPS systems and equipment
- Plan, direct, and conduct conceptual definition studies and analysis for a variety of advanced systems on proposed new projects for which no precedents are available
- Provide senior engineering technical planning, direction and review on complex studies involving thermal and structural interaction, computational concepts, and techniques for performing thermal analyses
- Maintain regular contact with counterparts in other organizations to solve technical problems, exchange information, implement planning and discuss areas of mutual interest
- Write technical and progress reports covering assigned projects and technical discipline area focus
- Participate in technical meetings and conferences, internal and external to JSC and NASA, as spokesperson for the Thermal Design Branch
- Perform other duties as required
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited program in mechanical or aerospace engineering
- 6 or more years of experience and have an overall background and working knowledge within structural design and analysis as well as thermal analysis
- Experience and understanding of the materials, adhesives, and backplanes of TPS
- Experience on spacecraft programs that required EDL flight profiles and reusability of those spacecrafts
- Travel as required to support various customer sites and technical conferences and meetings (domestically and internationally) approx. 2 times per year
- 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.
Nice-to-haves
- Master's degree from an accredited program in mechanical or aerospace engineering
- 10 or more years of experience in flight hardware structural design and analysis as well as thermal analysis
- Familiarity with the Orion and/or CCP crewed vehicles
Benefits
- 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
- A work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect
