Rendezvous and Proximity Operations Oversight Software Engineer

Amentum•Houston, TX

7d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is part of the JETS ISS Rendezvous, Proximity Operations, and Capture (RPOC) Team and provides technical oversight, program integration, and certification of International Space Station visiting vehicle Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C) systems. The work supports missions to the ISS and NASA’s deep space exploration efforts. The role involves assessing system compliance and performance, supporting safety reviews and flight operations, and collaborating with engineering, safety, flight operations, crew office, and visiting vehicle provider personnel. The role is generally performed in an office environment, though tasks may involve indoor or outdoor work. It requires regular attendance and may require schedule adjustments to meet peak periods and surge requirements. Work may involve sitting or standing for extended periods and lifting or carrying up to 25 pounds. Standard office equipment is used. U.S. citizenship or permanent residency may be required, and the selected candidate must be able to complete a U.S. government background investigation.

Requirements

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 collaborative engineering work.
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 with NASA civil servants and contractor employees.
Experience with Microsoft Office products.
Ability to complete a U.S. government background investigation.
Proof of U.S. citizenship or U.S. permanent residency may be required.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering focused on GN&C, flight controls, and orbital mechanics.
Experience with spacecraft rendezvous, proximity operations, and capture or 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 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 and rendezvous/proximity operations performance issues.
Communicate compliance-review status to ISS program management.
Assess 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 working relationships with technical personnel from engineering, safety, flight operations, the crew office, and visiting vehicle providers.
Perform other duties as required.
Maintain regular attendance and adjust work schedules to meet peak periods and surge requirements.