Extravehicular (EVA) Hardware 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.

The Extravehicular (EVA) and Human Mobility Program (EHP) Hardware Engineer (Project Engineer/Project Leader- Technical Project Management Office) will be responsible for technical, cost, and scheduled management of an assigned selection of EVA hardware.  This position supports EHP and the ISS Program on new EVA hardware development using proven NASA centric project management processes and tools.  This position will also support the sustainment of existing EVA hardware by ensuring hardware performance and readiness for missions, providing real time mission support, assessment and resolution of anomalies, and coordination of hardware modification.

Work Model

This is a fulltime position based at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, offering a hybrid work model that combines 3-4 days onsite and remote flexibility as customer and business needs permit.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Manage day to day activities to ensure EVA hardware readiness on the ISS and for future programs (Artemis)
• Lead and integrate across the EVA community (engineering, operations, safety, human health and performance, facility, contracts, finance) to define and execute strategic EVA hardware plans to ensure hardware availability for current and future missions
• Serve as project manager/leader and/or provide oversight to multiple projects through the entire life cycle, including concept of operations, requirements, architecture, design, implementation, integration, testing, operations, and sustaining engineering
• Serve as the technical monitor of assigned contracts
• Plan and coordinate the design, development, testing, and evaluation of new and existing fleet of EVA tools, translation aides, and equipment
• Lead integrated product teams to ensure flight readiness and provide project status presentations to various boards and panels
• Implement logistical coordination and planning for delivery of hardware for launch on visiting vehicles and on-orbit use
• Support real time ISS mission activities for planned and contingency EVAs
• Report to senior management (EHP, ISS, NASA JSC) project status, risk, recommendations, and forward plans
• Provide support for technical boards and planes, including but not limited to: EHP ISS EVA Control Board, EMU Panel, EVA Tools Panel, EVA Analysis and Integration Team (AIT), EVA System Problem Resolution Team (SPRT).  Additional board support is required for milestones such as Certification of Flight Readiness (CoFR) and Certification of EVA Readiness (CoER) reviews
• Periodic travel (domestic and/or international) is expected.

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for the Project Engineer - Technical Program Management Office

• Bachelor’s degree in science, engineering, mathematics, or another related STEM discipline
• 6 or more years of increasingly responsible professional systems engineering experience
• In-depth knowledge of EVA tools and spacesuit technology
• An understanding of NASA programs life cycle and system engineering processes
• Ability to effectively utilize oral and written communication to express technical concepts, risks posture, and recommendations to personnel at all technical and managerial levels
• Ability to work and assess risks in an effective, efficient, and rationale approach in a real-time environment of rapid change, conflicting requirements, and occasional schedule pressure
• Ability to cordite and lead engineering teams in a matrixed organization
• Willing to travel occasionally (~5%) to work location or customer sites (domestic and/or international)
• This position requires ability to successfully obtain/maintain Controlled Access Area (CAA) badging
• This position requires 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 Leader- Technical Program Management Office include:

• 8 or more years of increasingly responsible professional systems engineering experience
• Experience performing or leading technical or programmatic teams for NASA, including using proven engineering processes and procedures, and providing out brief, risk assessment, and recommendations to senior management

How You Can Stand Out

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

• Advanced degree in science, engineering, mathematics, or another related STEM discipline
• Direct EVA hardware and/or operational experience

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.