Systems Director: NASA Extravehicular and Human Surface Mobility Systems (EHP), SEI Requirements, Interfaces and Verification

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.

At Aerospace, we are committed to providing an inclusive and diverse workplace for all employees to share in our common passion and aspiration – to carry out a mission much bigger than ourselves.

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. 

 

This role will lead the team and work content providing Systems Engineering and Integration (SE&I) capabilities to NASA/Johnson Space Center in support of the EVA and Human Surface Mobility Program (EHP). You will be responsible for providing leadership, planning, and direction of technical office staff and operations. Assign resources, determine staffing needs, and coordinate activities and operations among subordinate units. Communicate and coordinate activities to counterpart organizations, management, and customers. 

 

Work Model 

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

 

What You’ll Be Doing 

  • Provide leadership, management as well as content integration expertise to the team supporting EHP SEI's Requirements, Interfaces and Verification Team 

  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with customer leadership. 

  • Develop organizational goals, staffing plans, budget planning, and allocation of resources. 

  • Staff, coordinate, and supervise a high performing SE&I team of Aerospace technical personnel integrating complex human-rated systems 

  • Conduct staff performance reviews and recommend performance improvement, career development, salary and promotion actions; establish staffing needs and recommend reassignments, training, transfers, and other staff deployments; assists other supervisors in evaluation and assignment of staff. 

  • Provide technical input and support to the RIV team formal products (document development and integration) 

  • Identify Gaps and Risks in provider implementation goals and objectives with regards to Requirement Compliance and Concepts of Operations alignment. 

  • Inform and track mitigations to the risks at the program level(s). 

  • Provide Technical Authorities (TAs) with the support/assessment to effectively develop recommendations on technical issues and identify emerging issues. 

 

What You Need to be Successful- Systems Director- Engineering Integration/ Engineering Program Management & Systems

Minimum Requirements: 

  • Bachelor of Science degree in engineering, science, or other applicable STEM areas 

  • At least 10 years of increasingly responsible professional engineering/scientific experience, including experience in systems engineering 

  • Knowledge and understanding of the NASA program life cycle and system engineering processes 

  • Proven experience in Verification & Validation and Systems Engineering & Integration 

  • 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 customers and lead a team of engineers 

  • Willing to travel domestically approx. 5% to support in person customer discussions 

  • 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: 

  • Advanced Science degree in engineering, science, or other applicable STEM areas 

  • More than 10 years of increasingly responsible professional engineering/scientific experience, including experience in systems engineering and management 

  • Knowledge of EVA Systems and/or Spaceflight Hardware Vehicle Integration and current technology 

  • Experience with Human Spaceflight testing, evaluations, and/or operations. 

  • Experience with requirements development of NASA spacecraft systems 

  • Experience with DOORS/DNG or similar requirements and verification tool 

  • 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 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

Organisation: 
The Aerospace Corporation