Landsat Flight Systems Manager - MOC Systems Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation•Greenbelt, MD

33d•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. This full-time, permanent Landsat Flight Systems Manager (FSM) position falls within our Environment Remote Sensing Directorate in support of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center's Landsat program as the primary customer for this role. Landsat 8 and 9 satellites are currently in operations, while the follow-on mission, Landsat Next, is in formulation and scheduled for launch in the early 2030s. We are looking for a Landsat Flight Systems Manager (Senior Project Engineer - Operations Systems Engineering) in support of USGS roles and responsibilities. The Landsat FSM will provide technical leadership, including satellite control authority, for Landsat 8 and/or Landsat 9 day-to-day flight operations, ensuring satellite health and safety, land imaging acquisitions, operational protocols, and strategic planning for mission enhancements are achieved. Furthermore, the FSM will provide key insights for Landsat Next formulation, procurements, development, and implementation activities. Our Environment Remote Sensing Directorate provides the Aerospace technical leadership team supporting USGS Landsat mission operations while playing key roles in the development and implementation of Landsat Next. Our efforts build on a Landsat legacy spanning more than 50 years of continuously capturing images of the Earth's land surfaces. Work Model The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), Greenbelt, Maryland.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited program in applicable STEM areas.
Ten or more years of increasingly responsible, professional spacecraft or flight operations engineering experience in satellite operations.
Direct operations engineering experience and leadership in two or more of the following: spacecraft operations, mission or ground systems operations, flight systems integration and test, mission launch, early operations and commissioning (LEOC), science data acquisition, and anomaly resolution.
Technical engagement and leadership for special studies, mission simulations analyses, and formulation of integrated, technical recommendations intended to solve complex challenges.
Responsibility for application and oversight of operations best practices, including configuration management, flight dynamics, conjunction assessment, mission planning, spacecraft and payload fault tolerance, and health and safety protocols.
Willing to travel domestically to customer and vendor sites. Approximately 6-8 trips annually.
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

Direct experience within USGS, NASA, or NOAA flight systems engineering and/or operations.
Direct experience leading multi-disciplinary satellite flight operations and/or engineering teams.
Direct experience with Northrop Grumman LEOStar-3 spacecraft.
Experience with Mission Operations Center (MOC) formulation, implementation, integration and test, or autonomous operations best practices.
Current and Active Secret or Top Secret security clearance.

Responsibilities

Provide technical leadership and management for USGS Landsat 8 and/or 9 flight operations performing the following:
Provide operational oversight for daily satellite operations, ensuring mission protocols and best practices, from telemetry monitoring to orbit maintenance, are executed effectively and safely.
Foster a strong collaborative and trusting environment dedicated to operations excellence, across the government and its contracted flight operations team.
Coordinate and lead multidisciplinary teams, including engineers, mission planners, and fight control operators.
Lead anomaly review boards and implement contingency procedures prioritizing health, safety, and minimizing mission disruptions.
Identify, assess, and mitigate spacecrafts, imaging instruments, and ground operations technical risks to the missions, including likelihood and consequence outcomes.
Develop and enforce robust operational standards and processes, ensuring compliance with USGS policies and practices, along with continuous improvement initiatives.
Act as primary liaison to USGS EROS, external agencies, and partners to effectively communicate mission status, lessons learned, and recommendations for strategic priorities.
Support Landsat Next Mission Operations Center acquisition strategy development, requirements formulation, implementation, and mission readiness activities.

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