PLSS Project Engineer

Mclaurin Aerospace • Houston, TX

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Mclaurin is hiring a PLSS Project Engineer to join its JETS II contract team at NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. The role performs project engineering functions for EVA spacesuit design, development, procurement, manufacture, testing, and certification. The engineer works with a team to analyze customer requirements, develop design solutions, and coordinate with PLSS Team leadership to update plans and agreements for PLSS work scope. The work includes designing, developing, testing, implementing, and analyzing technical products and systems; designing equipment and assembling test configurations; and testing PLSS hardware. The engineer also helps troubleshoot technical issues found during testing and integration, reviews engineering drawings, requirements, and system specifications for accuracy and NASA standards compliance, and contributes to test reports, hazard analyses, design reviews, procedures, and TPS creation and execution.

The position has been posted at multiple levels, and candidates may be considered at any advertised level depending on experience, requirements, and business needs. It typically requires a bachelor's degree in engineering and 2–5 years of experience in the field or a related area. Detailed knowledge of xEMU PLSS vent-loop and thermal-loop systems is required, including component design and operation, capabilities, manufacturing history, testing, and the effects of design changes to the baseline.

US citizenship and the ability to pass a comprehensive security background investigation are required.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in engineering from an accredited engineering school.
• Typically, 2–5 years of experience in the field or a related area.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to work in a team environment.
• Detailed knowledge of vent-loop gas flow rates, pressure management, and PLSS outlet CO2 control in closed-loop and open-loop modes.
• Detailed knowledge of xEMU vent-loop component design goals, purpose in the vent loop and PLSS, pressure capabilities, flow rates and pressure differential during flow, and functional operations.
• Understanding of previous vent-loop build and manufacturing issues and testing, including component checkouts and DVT/TVAC testing.
• Ability to describe the consequences of design alterations to the existing xEMU baseline design.
• Detailed knowledge of thermal-control and auxiliary thermal-control loops, including heat-removal capabilities, pressures and flow rates, water/loop-material compatibility, and issues with extended quiescent stowage.
• Detailed knowledge of the design trades behind xEMU thermal-loop component selection, hardware design, build and manufacturing history, issues encountered and their resolution, and testing, including component checkouts and PLSS-level DVT/TVAC testing.
• US citizenship and ability to pass a comprehensive security background investigation.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with pressure systems, including relief valves, pressure transducers, flow meters, and the calibration process for each.

Responsibilities

• Perform project engineering functions for EVA spacesuit design, development, procurement, manufacture, testing, and certification.
• Analyze customer requirements and develop design solutions in a team environment.
• Work with PLSS Team leadership to update plans and agreements for PLSS work scope.
• Design, develop, test, implement, and analyze technical products and systems.
• Design equipment, assemble test configurations, and complete testing of PLSS hardware.
• Assist with troubleshooting and resolving technical issues identified during testing and integration.
• Review engineering drawings, requirements, and system specifications for accuracy and compliance with NASA standards.
• Contribute to documentation, including test reports, hazard analyses, design reviews, procedures, and TPS creation and execution.

Benefits

• Competitive pay
• Positive work-life balance
• Employer-paid medical, dental, vision, life, accidental death and dismemberment, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance
• 11 paid holidays annually
• Generous PTO
• 401(k) after 12 months of service with employer match
• Education assistance
• Relocation assistance, if applicable

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level