NASA Lunar Gateway Spacecraft Operations Software Data Systems Engineer

CACI International•Houston, TX

22h

About The Position

CACI is looking for a Spacecraft Operations Software Data Systems Engineer to support the Lunar Gateway Program at NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX. The Gateway station will be an outpost orbiting the moon that provides vital support for a sustainable, long-term human return to the lunar surface, as well as a staging point for deep space exploration. The Gateway is a destination for astronaut expeditions and science investigations, as well as a port for deep space transportation such as landers en route to the lunar surface or spacecraft embarking to destinations beyond the Moon. Candidates should have great interest in space vehicles and distributed flight software systems, enjoy analysis and design review of large systems, and most of all, possess a great passion to contribute to our Nation’s exploration of space. This work involves analyzing spacecraft operations and determining the flight software data and data products necessary to configure and operate the Gateway flight software to support both autonomous and crewed activities. Configuration data and data products for on-board use are especially critical to Gateway operations, as it is architected to be extremely data-driven. The role involves working with provider and subsystem teams to identify data and data product needs to support expected operations, then detailing specific use cases to support data product development and verification and validation efforts. Developing an in-depth understanding of the full data product inventory on board and how those products are used to configure the system will be essential to the role; interfacing with flight operators and assisting in their ownership of vehicle configuration and data updates is an area of expected growth. The role also involves performing analysis of data flows over the Gateway inter-element network given defined commands, telemetry, and vehicle configuration. The position could also support developing formal processes for certification of safety critical data products and flight software data validation. This position requires a self-motivated, capable person with strong verbal and written communication skills. In addition to outstanding technical expertise in vehicle systems or operations (e.g., aircraft, space vehicle, satellite, submarine, etc.), the individual must be very people savvy with strong customer relationship skills, possess a positive team-player attitude, and be flexible and willing to take on new assignments and responsibilities as they arise. Finally, the most qualified candidate will be an articulate speaker able to communicate complex technical ideas in a convincing manner, must share our passion for our Nation's Space Program, and share in the excitement of developing the next human-rated space vehicles.

Requirements

U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident.
B.S. in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Computer, or Software Engineering, Computer Science, or related disciplines.
2+ years’ experience (greater experience highly valued) in one of the following areas: (1) One or more spacecraft domains including avionics, command and data handling, electrical, environmental control and life support, fluids and thermal, orbital dynamics, robotic dynamics, GN&C, and/or structures and mechanisms; (2) Flight operations or engineering support for vehicle operations; (3) Software development (ideally flight software), including overall project design, programming, testing, verification, and documentation
Experience in defining and evaluating data interactions between systems.
Must be flexible, open to new challenges in a dynamic environment, and possess strong technical expertise combined with strong verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities with minimal supervision.
Highly responsible, team-oriented individual with strong work ethic.

Nice To Haves

M.S./PhD in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Computer or Software Engineering, Computer Science, or related disciplines.
Experience integrating data products with software.
Experience in human-rated safety critical flight software in aerospace or other industries.

Responsibilities

Understand the flight software data requirements including data formats and schemas that apply to software across the vehicle.
Analyze vehicle and subsystems operations and identify data products and data dependencies required for vehicle operation.
Work with subject matter experts (SMEs) to develop detailed use cases involving on-board tasks, task timelines, data, and data interfaces, and deliver those use cases to product developers and validation/verification teams.
Perform analysis of packets and data flows supporting flight software autonomy and ground operation/insight into the vehicle state; coordinate data products issues and resolutions with NASA SMEs, commercial partners, and international partners.
Support program reviews of flight software design against system level requirements and expected concept of operations; provide feedback to developer teams and raise appropriate risks to Gateway program
Support development of formal data product development and data validation processes to be implemented by Gateway program and broader NASA community.
Support development of software and training tools for use in the Gateway Mission Engineering Room during flight operations.