Section Manager, Chemical and Fluid Systems for Space Exploration Applications

Amentum•Houston, TX

About The Position

Are you passionate about human space exploration, understanding the origins of the universe, and working with a passionate and diverse team to make a difference? If you are, we need you! We need your talent, teamwork, and energy to help us achieve great things that inspire people all over the globe. We need you to bring creative ideas and diverse backgrounds to help us envision, shape, and deliver systems that will enable the exploration of space while benefiting people here on Earth. We are excited about what we do, and we need you on our team as we take on exciting challenges for NASA’s pursuits in deep space exploration. As NASA’s largest engineering solutions provider working together with NASA at centers across the United States. We have an exciting opportunity for a Section Manager, Chemical and Fluid Systems for Space Exploration Applications to join the JETSII Contract. The Section Manager, Chemical and Fluid Systems for Space Exploration Applications will: Report directly to the Design and Analysis Group Manager. The position is responsible for the direct management of approximately 22 employees involved in various aspects of Chemical Engineering, Fluid Systems and Space Environments Analysis across and in support of several NASA Johnson Space Center Engineering Divisions. Lead a diverse team of engineers in chemical, fluid systems and space environmental analysis Manage resources, schedules, and deliverables across multiple concurrent projects Perform technical reviews of final product documents, including Life Support Test reports and Fluid System Analysis Guide development and validation of chemical and fluid models for space exploration applications Collaborate with cross-functional teams including systems engineering, thermal analysis, and life support systems Ensure compliance with engineering standards and project requirements Mentor junior engineers and foster technical growth within the team Ensure NASA customers have adequate technical support personnel to accomplish associated tasks. Ensure employees in functional areas follow established procedures and generate finished work products under time and budgetary constraints and ensure products yield the expected outcome and established quality levels. Rely on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Ensure Project Managers and Task Order Managers have adequate Analysis personnel to accomplish associated tasks. Conduct meetings with Project Managers to provide status and obtain feedback. Work with colleagues to coordinate issue resolution across multiple JETS organizations which could include source limitations, technical challenges, process breakdowns, etc. Work with Engineering Directorate Division Technical Monitor (DTM) and Task Order manager to establish monthly Level of Effort (LOE) support for estimates. Perform routine analysis report reviews for deliverable adherence. Conduct oversight, mentorship and guidance to individual analysis task leads. Work with analysis task leads to track and maintain efficient task performance. Maintain an active list of lessons learned to actively inform section members. Maintain active related risk management (technical, cost, and schedule) on all associated analysis tasks. Communicate analysis status to senior management. Conduct periodic section meetings to review personnel work safety. Conduct periodic face-to-face meetings with employees to obtain status, ensure efficiency and provide solutions where needed. Review and approve employee timecards, overtime requests and travel. Review resource requests and conduct interviews to identify and attain necessary personnel. Document and perform personnel performance evaluation reviews. Generate award nominations for associated personnel. Establish and monitor personnel training plans. Work with colleagues to coordinate issue resolution across multiple JETS organizations which could include source limitations, technical challenges, process breakdowns, etc. Establish a framework and oversight for technical correctness on all work performed by section. Provide basis of estimates (BOE's) for project and tasks. Review, develop or update Analysis processes as required. Review resource requests and conduct interviews to identify and attain necessary personnel. Perform other duties as required.

Requirements

Typically requires a minimum of a bachelor's degree in Engineering and may be expected to have a related master's degree and normally possess 10-15 years of related experience.
Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering (Aerospace, Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical, Nuclear), Physics or Chemistry
Minimum of 8 years of experience in chemical processes, fluid systems, or space environments analysis or development.
Minimum of 2 years' familiarity or exposure to NASA/JSC Chemical, Fluid System Analysis or Space Environments System Analysis for exploration systems and components
Experience with technical personnel management
Experience with chemical and fluid systems concept development and cost estimation
Experience with interviewing and identifying chemical or fluid system or space environment analysis candidates
Exposure to NASA or similar environmental life support system architectures
Familiarity with NASA exploration existing vehicles/missions and future roadmap (ISS, Gateway, Lunar Operations, Mars etc)
Experience planning and establishing work priorities.
Proficiency in one or more of the following: Chemical Processes Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Natural and induced Space environment modeling and analysis
Hands-on experience with one or more of the following: ASPEN COMSOL SINDA FLUINT Star CCM+ Fortran Flowcad
Exposure to Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS)
Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams and manage complex projects
Experience conducting technical reviews and delivering high-quality documentation
Background in Systems Engineering principles and practices
Excellent oral and written communication and organizational skills with the ability to work in a team environment and a history of effectively interacting with senior managers at all levels.
Proficient in MS Office programs, particularly MS Project, Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Outlook.
Proof of U.S. Citizenship or US Permanent Residency may be a requirement for this position.
Must be able to complete a U.S. government background investigation.

Nice To Haves

Master's or Ph.D. in Engineering
Prior experience as a working manager balancing technical execution and team leadership
Proven track record in project management and technical leadership
Familiarity with NASA or aerospace industry standards and environments
Prior experience using Smartsheets
Hands-on experience with one or all the following: Thermal Desktop, MATLAB, C++, hydrocode (LS Dyna), ionizing radiation effects, plasma charging etc.
Prior experience using solid modeling CAD software including PTC CREO or Pro Engineering.
Familiarity with water reclamation methods and systems
Familiarity with CO2 sequestration and air revitalization methods and systems
Familiarity with NASA Work Instruction EA-023, JSC Policy Directive 7120 (Class 1E), along with flight hardware certification and other flight hardware processes.

Responsibilities

Lead a diverse team of engineers in chemical, fluid systems and space environmental analysis
Manage resources, schedules, and deliverables across multiple concurrent projects
Perform technical reviews of final product documents, including Life Support Test reports and Fluid System Analysis Guide development and validation of chemical and fluid models for space exploration applications
Collaborate with cross-functional teams including systems engineering, thermal analysis, and life support systems
Ensure compliance with engineering standards and project requirements
Mentor junior engineers and foster technical growth within the team
Ensure NASA customers have adequate technical support personnel to accomplish associated tasks.
Ensure employees in functional areas follow established procedures and generate finished work products under time and budgetary constraints and ensure products yield the expected outcome and established quality levels.
Rely on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals.
Ensure Project Managers and Task Order Managers have adequate Analysis personnel to accomplish associated tasks.
Conduct meetings with Project Managers to provide status and obtain feedback.
Work with colleagues to coordinate issue resolution across multiple JETS organizations which could include source limitations, technical challenges, process breakdowns, etc.
Work with Engineering Directorate Division Technical Monitor (DTM) and Task Order manager to establish monthly Level of Effort (LOE) support for estimates.
Perform routine analysis report reviews for deliverable adherence.
Conduct oversight, mentorship and guidance to individual analysis task leads.
Work with analysis task leads to track and maintain efficient task performance.
Maintain an active list of lessons learned to actively inform section members.
Maintain active related risk management (technical, cost, and schedule) on all associated analysis tasks.
Communicate analysis status to senior management.
Conduct periodic section meetings to review personnel work safety.
Conduct periodic face-to-face meetings with employees to obtain status, ensure efficiency and provide solutions where needed.
Review and approve employee timecards, overtime requests and travel.
Review resource requests and conduct interviews to identify and attain necessary personnel.
Document and perform personnel performance evaluation reviews.
Generate award nominations for associated personnel.
Establish and monitor personnel training plans.
Work with colleagues to coordinate issue resolution across multiple JETS organizations which could include source limitations, technical challenges, process breakdowns, etc.
Establish a framework and oversight for technical correctness on all work performed by section.
Provide basis of estimates (BOE's) for project and tasks.
Review, develop or update Analysis processes as required.
Review resource requests and conduct interviews to identify and attain necessary personnel.
Perform other duties as required.