Human Exploration GNC EDL Engineer

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. 

Within the CSG, the Human Exploration and Space Flight (HESF) Division supports our NASA customer in all aspects of human space flight. We are looking for a Guidance, Navigation, & Control (GNC)  - Entry, Descent, and Landing (EDL) Systems Engineer (Project Engineer/Sr. Project Engineer - Technical Project Management). In this role you will support the NASA Johnson Space Center Engineering Aeroscience and Flight Mechanics Division (AFMD) as a GNC EDL expert supporting human exploration programs. The AFMD provides technical leadership in the engineering disciplines of aerodynamics and aerothermodynamics; guidance, navigation, and control flight performance; mission design; and autonomous systems. The division provides engineering design, development, testing, and evaluation for all phases of space flight (ascent, entry, orbit, and interplanetary) and for all types of human spacecraft.  

Work Model 

This is a full-time position based at NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC)  in Houston, Tx., offering a hybrid work model that combines 3-4 regular onsite workdays and remote flexibility as the business and customer needs allow.   

What You’ll Be Doing  

• Support and/or oversee contractor lifecycle development of EDL systems, encompassing initial conceptualization, system design, verification testing, and successful mission implementation.   

• Provide cross functional collaboration with other engineering teams including Flight Controls, Software, and crew interfaces to ensure the seamless integration of the EDL systems  

• Conduct thorough analysis of mission data to identify potential enhancements to the EDL systems, focusing on improving safety, reliability, and efficiency 

• Regularly present complex technical findings, project developments, and innovations to a diverse range of stakeholders, including team members, external partners, and public audiences 

• Stay informed about and contribute to the advancement of EDL technologies by monitoring emerging industry trends, academic research, and technological breakthroughs 

• Perform evaluation of operational needs and verification of mission plans 

• Serve as a highly proactive technical specialist while working closely across various engineering disciplines, flight operations, crew office, commercial providers and program teams, working groups and panels to ensure visiting vehicle success 

• Lead forums and venues to formulate and prepare technical findings and recommendations  

• Coordinate and evaluate technical objectives, requirements, interfaces, standards, issues  

• Perform other duties for the customer as required  

What You Need to be Successful  

Minimum Requirements for the Project Engineer- Technical Project Management:

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field 

• Experience with spacecraft rendezvous, proximity operations, and capture/docking 

• Familiarity with spacecraft docking systems 

• Working knowledge of NASA standard practices and requirements, including safety and fault tolerance 

• Experience with NASA flight operations and procedures 

• Excellent teaming and leadership skills with an ability to working across diverse teams and multi-task across various issues/disciplines simultaneously  

• Exceptional interpersonal, presentation, and communications skills, including development of and briefing of decision packages and complex information in a succinct and polished manner   

• Ability to work within a diverse team environment and many engineering disciplines, where the team is distributed across multiple NASA and Aerospace Corporation organizations, projects, and programs  

• Proven expertise in managing multiple concurrent tasks and provide direction on competing priorities  

• Willing to travel occasionally to work location/domestically/internationally approx. 4-6 times a year  

In addition to the above, the minimum requirements for the Senior Project Engineer – Technical Project Management include: 

• At least 10+ years’ experience with NASA or on NASA commercial systems  

How You Can Stand Out  

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these: 

• Advanced degree (Master’s or Ph.D.) in Aerospace Engineering or closely related field desired 

• Expertise in building on NASA Human Spaceflight topics and safety matters 

• Progressive experience in the aerospace industry, with a leadership role focusing on EDL systems as a plus 

• Successful track record in designing, testing, and implementing EDL systems for interplanetary or lunar missions 

• Profound understanding of the scientific and engineering principles underlying EDL processes, including aerodynamics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, and materials science relevant to high-speed atmospheric entry 

• Proficiency in using advanced computer-aided engineering tools, CFD, FEA, and other simulation software relevant to our technologies. 

• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with a demonstrated ability to articulate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences 

• Superior analytical, problem solving, and decision-making skills