International Space Station (ISS) Safety and Mission Assurance (S&MA) Specialist

The Aerospace Corporation•Houston, TX

8d•Onsite

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. The Human Exploration and Spaceflight (HESF) Sub-Division, within the NASA Programs Division (NPD) of CSG, maintains the company subject matter expertise for human spaceflight. HESF supports NASA and its 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, Human Health & Performance. And the Gateway Program. 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. The ISS S&MA Specialist (Senior Project Engineer- Technical Project Management) will support the ISS Program Office’s In Space Production Applications (InSPA) efforts. InSPA is aimed at ensuring U.S. leadership of in-space manufacturing in low Earth orbit by enabling the use of the ISS National Laboratory to demonstrate the production of advanced materials and products for terrestrial markets. The selected candidate will be required to work part-time, on-site at our facility at Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in science, engineering, mathematics, or another related STEM discipline
At least 10 years of ISS payload integration experience, including Safety Panel Reviews
A record of increasingly responsible professional engineering/scientific experience, including experience in a systems engineering and/or program management environment
Superior analytical, planning, problem solving, and decision-making skills
Ability to effectively utilize oral and written communication to express concepts and recommendations to personnel at all technical and managerial levels
Proven expertise and ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary setting, manage multiple concurrent tasks, and provide direction on competing priorities
Demonstrated ability to make timely, informed decisions and resolve conflicts in high-pressure environments.
Exemplary teaming and leadership skills with an ability to multi-task across various issues/disciplines simultaneously
Excellent presentation and communications skills, including development of and briefing of decision packages and complex information in a succinct and polished manner.
Willing to travel occasionally to work location or customer site/domestically/internationally
This position may require 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

A master’s or advanced degree in a relevant field
Ten years of experience with NASA Programs
Experience performing or leading technical and programmatic tasks for NASA, especially Human Space Flight

Responsibilities

Providing S&MA expertise in assessing and evaluating experiment package designs for installation and operation onboard the ISS.
Reviewing design and development of payloads or systems hardware for the ISS
Interpreting and reviewing drawing and/or design packages for a Preliminary Design Review (PDR) and/or Critical Design Review (CDR)
Consulting on adapting existing technology to ISS
Leveraging expertise and understanding of the ISS Payload Safety Review Panel (SRP)
Identifying shortcomings in the safety plan and hazard reports, to reduce technical risk and increase mission success for complex InSPA payloads
Traveling to payload developer sites to assess/review flight hardware in development
Negotiating access to experimenters’ data and advising how to improve it, then reporting back In-SPA Leadership
Demonstrating and exercising unquestioned credibility and expertise as an independent FFRDC auditor without OCI

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
An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect