Rendezvous and Proximity Operations Oversight Software Engineer

Mclaurin Aerospace • Houston, TX

6d • Onsite

About The Position

Mclaurin is hiring a Rendezvous and Proximity Operations Oversight Software Engineer for its JETS II contract team at NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. The role supports NASA’s deep-space exploration pursuits and focuses on oversight of visiting-vehicle rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO) guidance, navigation, and control (GN&C) systems. The position has been posted at multiple levels; candidates may be considered at any advertised level depending on their experience, qualifications, and business needs.

The engineer reviews analyses, test reports, hazard reports, and verification evidence to assess and certify GN&C system and fault-tolerance safety requirements compliance. The role also evaluates visiting-vehicle GN&C performance, reviews trajectory analyses using independent simulations, supports operational products and real-time ground monitoring, and communicates review status and issues to program management and safety stakeholders. The engineer works collaboratively with NASA civil servants, contractors, and technical personnel from engineering, safety, flight operations, the crew office, and visiting-vehicle providers.

The position typically requires a bachelor's degree in engineering and 2–5 years of experience in the field or a related area. U.S. citizenship and the ability to pass a comprehensive security background investigation are required.

Requirements

• Typically, a bachelor's degree in engineering.
• Typically, 2–5 years of experience in the field or a related area.
• Experience with orbital mechanics and GN&C principles.
• Understanding of orbit, entry, descent, and landing GN&C principles.
• Knowledge of GN&C algorithm development and spacecraft system analysis.
• Experience designing, verifying, testing, and operating GN&C hardware and software.
• Experience with Linux, Python, and C/C++.
• Experience developing space-system requirements and documents.
• Strong interpersonal skills for effective performance on a collaborative engineering team.
• Ability to organize and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines and schedules with limited supervision.
• Excellent communication, documentation, and presentation skills.
• Ability to work in a team environment comprising NASA civil servants and contractor employees.
• Experience with Microsoft Office products.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to pass a comprehensive security background investigation.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in aerospace engineering with a focus on GN&C, flight controls, and orbital mechanics.
• Experience with spacecraft rendezvous, proximity operations, and capture/docking.
• Familiarity with spacecraft docking systems.
• Working knowledge of NASA, JSC, and ISS standard practices and requirements, including safety.
• Experience with NASA flight operations and procedures.
• Familiarity with NASA/JSC documentation databases and SharePoint sites.
• Experience with MATLAB and Simulink toolboxes.
• Experience with the NASA Trick simulation architecture and JEOD (JSC Engineering Orbital Dynamics).
• Experience with Git/GitLab version control.

Responsibilities

• Certify GN&C system requirements compliance by reviewing analysis and test reports, including assessments of sensor performance, trajectory dispersions, and other GN&C parameters.
• Certify fault-tolerance safety requirements compliance by reviewing GN&C-related hazard reports and verification evidence, and communicate issues to a Safety Review Panel.
• Identify and recommend solutions to GN&C/RPO performance issues.
• Communicate the status of compliance reviews to ISS program management.
• Conduct performance assessments of visiting-vehicle GN&C data for program compliance.
• Review Monte Carlo trajectory analyses using independent six-degrees-of-freedom simulations.
• Provide input to operational products, including flight rules and on-orbit demonstration plans.
• Provide visiting-vehicle GN&C mission-console support during real-time ground monitoring.
• Maintain relationships with a diverse technical team, including engineering, safety, flight operations, crew office, and visiting-vehicle provider personnel.
• Perform other duties as required.

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 paid time off.
• 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