Surface Robotics and Mobility 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.

We are looking for a Surface Robotics and Mobility Senior Member of Technical Staff or Project Engineer (Senior Member of Technical Staff /Project Engineer - Systems Engineering). This position will support the NASA Strategy and Architecture Office (SAO) Lunar Architecture Team (LAT) – part of the Artemis portfolio at the NASA Johnson Space Center. As part of this team, you will serve as an engineer supporting the Surface Robotics and Mobility (SRM) team, which focuses on robotics and mobility systems (e.g., rovers) for crewed and uncrewed lunar missions.

Work Model

This is a full-time position based at Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX, offering a 100% onsite work model, option for Hybrid that combines 4-5 regular onsite workdays and remote flexibility as the business needs allow. 

What You’ll Be Doing

• Serve as a LAT/SAO integrator for SAO/LAT mobility related concepts in pre-formulation through Mission Concept Review (MCR) 
• Lead, integrate, and/or manage Strategic Architecture Cycle (SAC) and inter-SAC tasks within the SAO Mobility Sub-Architecture, as deemed applicable by the SR&M Program Manager (PM) 
• Provide iterative design support to SAO/LAT concepts, integrating technical expertise and NASA Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate (ESDMD) needs, between the SRM Mobility, Manipulation Technical Leads and SAO leadership 
• Provide iterative design support to NASA JSC ER5 and ER4 teams to integrate their technical capabilities and test facilities with SAO trades and studies 
• Provide human-in-the-loop (HITL) and robot-in-the-loop (RITL) design and execution support to the Mobility Technical Lead (TL) and Manipulation TL 
• Develop and manage a database of Mobility knowledge and assets for the ESDMD community to use for conceptual work 
• Lead integration and stakeholder communication through the creation of visual assets, ideas, working sessions, and other SRM items 
• Assist the PM in delegation and management of tasks to ensure successful completion of SRM tasks. Assume the non-technical roles and responsibilities of the SRM PM if the SRM PM is out-of-office. 

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for the Senior Member of Technical Staff- Systems Engineering

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, or another related STEM discipline
• At least 3 years of professional engineering/scientific experience, including experience in space architecture and/or industrial design 
• Experience in Rhino CAD and supporting HITL testing 
• Knowledge and understanding of the NASA program life cycle and associated milestone reviews 
• Ability to effectively utilize oral and written communication to express technical concepts and recommendations to personnel at all technical and managerial levels 
• Ability to work in a quick-paced, small core team that leads technical discussions across a large technical community and influences teams across the NASA enterprise 
• Initiative and demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with customers.  
• Willing to travel occasionally to work location or customer site, domestically or internationally, approx. 5%
• This position may require the 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.

In addition to the above, the minimum requirements for the Project Engineer- Systems Engineering include:

• At least 6 years of professional engineering/scientific experience, including experience in space architecture and/or industrial design
• Excellent presentation and communications skills, including development of and briefing of decision packages and complex information in a succinct and polished manner. 
• Experience working across diverse teams and many different engineering disciplines 
• Experience leading HITL testing, including test protocol and test plan development 

How You Can Stand Out

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

• Advanced degree in engineering, science, or another related STEM discipline
• Knowledge of exploration mobility topics and technology 
• Experience with the NASA program life cycle, NASA analysis cycles and system engineering processes 
• Proven ability to interact effectively with government and contractor personnel 
• Prior success working across multiple organizations that contribute to mission success 
• Experience with International Partner and/or Commercial vendor integration and coordination 

Leadership Competencies

Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who:

• Operate Strategically
• Lead Change   
• Engage with Impact   
• Foster Innovation   
• Deliver Results  

Ways We Reward Our Employees

During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits.

Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type.  A few highlights include:

• 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

We are all unique, from diverse backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.

Equal Opportunity Commitment

The Aerospace Corporation is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We believe that a diverse workforce creates an environment in which unique ideas are developed and differing perspectives are valued, producing superior customer solutions. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at ieo.mailbox@aero.org. You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.