Senior Space Environments Engineer

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. 

We are looking for a Senior Space Environments Engineer (Senior Project Engineer- Engineering Program Management & Systems Engineering). This position serves as the Space Environments Sr. Engineer on behalf of NASA’s EVA & Human Surface Mobility Program (EHP) System Engineering and Integration (SE&I) Team at NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC).  This position works side-by-side with our NASA EHP SE&I counterparts and other NASA Contractors as a Team to enable NASA’s Moon-to-Mars campaign in the return of human presence with a sustained lunar exploration architecture.    

Work Model 

This is a full-time position located at Johnson Space Center, TX, offering a hybrid work model that combines 3-4 regular onsite workdays and remote flexibility as the business needs allow. 

What You’ll Be Doing 

• Perform Environmental Risk Management assessments on NASA’s behalf. Collaborate with other NASA System Managers and Program Engineers to help identify and/or reduce Risks (Safety, Cost, Mission Success) and recommend means of mitigation. 
• Review of Designs with Project Management perspective to include identifying gaps in requirements and architecture, needs for integrated and cross-program analysis, risks, and test activities in the correct environmental conditions. Identify requirement gaps and update existing requirements based on informed data. 
• Manage Extravehicular Activity (EVA) and Human Surface Mobility Program (EHP) Induced Environments document and its Annexes, which will contain Design Reference Mission (DRM) specific analysis results.  Define Verification methodologies in which requirements can be reasonably validated by NASA Vendors. Develop and coordinate documentation change packages, including stakeholder review and technical interchange meetings for technical issue resolution. 
• Review verification content upon receipt from NASA’s vendors for compliance with established NASA requirements. Identify potential non-compliances or non-standard methodologies used in verification submittals.  Assess alternative verification evidence or acceptance rationale provided by vendors and projects for variances to requirements. 
• Lead analyses activities with new Artemis Design Reference Missions. Support analyses, trades, and decision package development for resolution of EVA architectural options and EVA requirements. 
• Review EHP and Moon-to-Mars (M2M) documents and milestone deliverables. 
• Lead Surface Environments Integration Working Group (WG) and EHP Environment Tech Leads WG. Support and assist NASA Vendors/Contracts with problem resolution/guidance for share mission objectives. 
• Support NASA reviews for Safety of Crew, assets, and mission objectives. 

What You Need to be Successful – Senior Project Engineer- Engineering Program Management & Systems Engineering 

Minimum Requirements: 

• Bachelor of Science or advanced degree in engineering, science, mathematics 
• Bachelor of Science degree in engineering, science, mathematics, or closely related technical field  
• 12 or more years of experience in system engineering and analysis  
• Experience and knowledge of NASA’s System Engineering and Integration means and methodologies 
• Ability to work with a diverse team of environmental specialist and engineers to formulate overall Program approach and management of lunar surface environments.  
• 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 effectively and quickly in real-time environments of rapid-change, conflicting requirements, and occasional pressure. 
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with NASA customers 
• Willing to travel occasionally (approx. 5%) to support vendor site visits or customer approved conferences and technical interchange meetings.    
• 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.

How You Can Stand Out 

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

• Knowledge and understanding of the NASA program life cycle and system engineering processes. 
• Demonstrated experience, knowledge and expertise in Analysis, Testing, and Evaluations of Space Environment applications. 
• Experience performing or leading technical and programmatic tasks for NASA 

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 various 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 employer. 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 peoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.