Test Readiness Review (TRR) Senior Project Leader

The Aerospace Corporation • Houston, TX

38d • Onsite

About The Position

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space. Building on The Aerospace Corporation's reputation as a trusted, impartial advisor with integrity and dedication to mission success, the Civil Systems Group (CSG) combines deep technical expertise with market-leading innovation to help our customers solve complex systems engineering and integration challenges. CSG is organized by core customer-facing lines of business to manage and grow programs within NASA, NOAA, and the NNSA, while extending our capabilities to other civilian federal government agencies fully integrated within Aerospace rules, regulations, processes, values, and behaviors. Our team provides expert technical assistance for architecture design, spacecraft design, ground operations, mission integration, and advanced development and field testing. You will collaborate with our NASA customer and industry contractors and vendors to ensure the success of high-priority space missions with challenging spacecraft design requirements. Your work will potentially involve system development, manufacture, testing, and operations for multiple programs. You must be willing to learn a broad range of new technologies and systems and confidently advise customers on making critical decisions. For this role, we seek a Test Readiness Review (TRR) Senior Project Leader (Senior Project Leader - Systems Test Engineering) to support the development, review, approval, and execution of suited testing sponsored or required by the NASA Extravehicular Activity (EVA) and Surface Mobility Program’s (EHP) EVA Development Office (DE). The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility at Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited program in technical discipline.
• At least 10 or more years of professional engineering/scientific experience, including experience in systems test engineering, systems engineering, systems management, and project management.
• Experience with NASA mission architecture design as well as spacecraft development lifecycle to include requirements, design, development, qualification, acceptance, and operational use of spacecraft systems.
• Experience in design, development, and test of human exploration lunar and interplanetary surface systems to include EVA suits, landers and habitats.
• Knowledge and understanding of NASA and/or DOD program life cycle.
• Ability to effectively utilize oral and written communication to express technical concepts.
• Experience working across diverse teams and many different engineering disciplines.
• Knowledge of space flight certification processes to ensure performance and safety requirements are met (including knowledge of NPR 7120, EA-WI-023, or equivalent processes)
• Knowledge in the design and development of major elements of ground test and space flight systems required to demonstrate the utilization of systems.
• This position may require ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

Nice To Haves

• An advanced degree in Aerospace or Systems Engineering or related technical discipline from an accredited program (pursing or conferred within the last 12 months)
• Experience leading complex multi-program systems test teams across a variety of spacecraft systems
• Experience of performing in or leading technical and programmatic tasks for NASA
• Experience with a variety of spacecraft systems
• Experience with space system engineering practices and standards
• Experience working closely with customers and/or contractors.
• Experience working with international partners
• Experience in human space flight
• Knowledge and understanding of the NASA program life cycle
• Experience in aerospace industry project management

Responsibilities

• Lead regular meetings of the team to provide training, share expert understanding, and conduct tactical planning for upcoming reviews of test events and facilities.
• Manage team make-up through collaboration with DE and home organizations of the members of the team.
• With delegated authority from EC5 branch management, review, assess, and approve hazard assessments and controls and accept risks for suited test activities, within the limits of the delegated authority from the EC5 Branch Chief.
• Provide regular reports to EC5 Branch Management and the EVA Development Project on the team operations, accomplishments, planning, and issues.
• Assist EC5 branch in managing the support resources for the team
• Collaborate with suited testing stakeholders to improve test planning, review, and approval processes and activities to implement DE-related suited testing.
• Support and lead, as required, issue and mishap response efforts in collaboration with institutional test authorities and hardware providers.
• Streamline and expedite the response to issues in suited testing (DR’s, anomalies, failures, injuries, etc.) to minimize downtime for DE-sponsored suited testing.
• Lead the reduction of institutional test management overhead by combining reviews, using common procedures, standardized HAs, and consistent test planning.
• Provide consistent approach to TRR governance with different facilities and hardware.
• Represent engineering subject matter expertise to other suited testing stakeholders to advocate and implement best practices in suited testing for engineering development.
• Maintain a Standard Operating Procedure for the TRR Team, an explanatory “road show” presentation to inform other suited test stakeholders of the TRR Team’s purpose and scope.
• Proactively lead cross-organizational resolution of suited testing issues to minimize impacts to the DE-sponsored test schedules.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans
• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation
• Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options
• 401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire
• Flexible spending accounts
• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions
• Relocation assistance
• Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career
• Education assistance programs
• An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect

What This Job Offers

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