Human Spaceflight Systems Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation•Houston, TX

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Aerospace Corporation is hiring a Human Spaceflight Systems Engineer at the Senior Member of Technical Staff or Project Engineer—Systems Engineering level. The position supports NASA program integration activities and program-office roles. It contributes to development, analysis, integration, and implementation of human spaceflight architectures, mission plans, operational activities, and spacecraft and surface-system definitions. The engineer will coordinate across Artemis transportation and Moonbase activities, addressing inflight, orbital, and surface operations. The position is full-time and on-site at one of the listed facilities in Houston, Texas; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Merritt Island, Florida; or El Segundo, California. Occasional domestic and international travel of approximately 10–25% is required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, or another related STEM discipline.
For the Senior Member of Technical Staff level: 3 years of experience in systems engineering, mission operations, or human spaceflight programs.
For the Project Engineer level: 6 years of experience in systems engineering, mission operations, or human spaceflight programs.
Proven experience in human exploration architecture, integration, and mission operations, with demonstrated ability to lead technical tasks.
Strong knowledge and application of the engineering program lifecycle, including requirements development, design reviews, and verification and validation processes.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders and influence technical decisions.
Exceptional presentation and communication skills, including ability to explain complex technical concepts to technical and managerial audiences.
Ability to work across diverse teams and multiple engineering disciplines, including human-in-the-loop disciplines.
Experience with systems engineering tools and methodologies, such as model-based systems engineering and requirements management tools.
Demonstrated record of delivering technical products and meeting program milestones.
Willingness to travel occasionally to a work location or customer site, domestically and internationally, approximately 10–25%.
The position may require the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required to obtain one.
For the Project Engineer level: demonstrated technical leadership and ability to lead complex technical efforts, manage cross-functional teams, and drive technical strategy across multiple programs.
For the Project Engineer level: expert-level knowledge of the engineering program lifecycle and experience leading phases from concept through operations.
For the Project Engineer level: ability to make final technical recommendations, manage technical baselines, and represent the organization in high-level technical forums with NASA, industry partners, and international stakeholders.
For the Project Engineer level: experience managing technical performance metrics, identifying programmatic risks, and developing mitigation strategies.
For the Project Engineer level: advanced proficiency with systems engineering tools and digital engineering methodologies.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or PhD in engineering, science, or another related STEM discipline; a Master’s degree is preferred for the Project Engineer level.
At least 5 years of experience working directly with NASA programs, processes, and teams.
Background designing and developing human-based operations for spaceflight missions.
Experience coordinating with international partners such as ESA, JAXA, or CSA, and commercial space vendors.
Systems Engineering Professional (ESEP), Professional Engineer (PE), or Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
Direct experience with Artemis, Gateway, ISS, or other lunar or deep-space exploration programs.
Published technical papers, patents, or contributions to aerospace or systems engineering standards.
Experience with Agile systems engineering or other modern development methodologies.

Responsibilities

Serve in the program office and connect work across exploration topics, including Moonbase, nuclear, science, and Artemis transportation initiatives.
Define operational technical requirements for programs.
Perform assessments and readiness evaluations.
Collaborate with NASA mission architects, designers, and program experts across government and industry.
Review contractor deliverables and NASA requirements for compliance and system effectiveness in support of operational needs.
Contribute to standards development and documentation supporting exploration operations, and manage key program plans and products.
Support facility and infrastructure topics and planning.
Participate in technical, safety, and integration working groups.
Develop technical and progress reports for internal teams and external partners.
Support technical interchange meetings, hardware reviews, and key design milestones.
Prepare clear, actionable reports and presentations for program offices.
For the Project Engineer level, lead complex technical efforts, manage cross-functional teams, drive technical strategy across programs, manage technical baselines and performance metrics, identify programmatic risks, and develop mitigation strategies.

Benefits

Comprehensive health care and wellness plans.
Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation.
Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options.
401(k) plan with total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service, plus matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested upon hire.
Flexible spending accounts.
Variable pay program for exceptional contributions.
Relocation assistance.
Professional growth and development programs.
Education assistance programs.
Inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect.