EHP Mission Stakeholder Systems Director

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 also be responsible for providing leadership, planning, and direction of technical office staff and operations. Assigns resources, determines staffing needs, and coordinates 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 combines 3-4 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’s Cross Mission Stakeholder Integration (CSI) Team for all projects under development up to mission implementation. This includes projects internal to EHP, and those external, such as the Orion, Gateway and the Human Lander System (HLS) Programs.

Participate in provider forums for technical discussions where decisions are made related to concepts, mission architecture, testing/training, requirements, and verifications.

Review and provide technical input to the MSI teams formal products such as Joint Agreement Memos (JAM), Data Requirements Deliverables (DRD), lifecycle reviews, and Ground Rules and Assumptions (GR&A).

Coordinate, support, and manage the team to support suited Human-In-The-Loop (HITL) evaluations for vehicle compatibility and execution of NASA Concepts of Operations.

Review Test Objectives and trace to Verification Plans

Coordinate shipping/travel logistics for required HITL hardware and personnel support

Ensure proper implementation and handling of interface requirements

Review and inform concurrence to provider-submitted verification documentation.

Assess integration of Provider’s Hazard Reports across programs and identify specific System Manager support for risk management.

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.

Review provider's verification events and closure notices to ensure the EVA hardware design meets functional requirements and alignment with EHP’s Verification and Validation (V&V) plan.

Work with the EHP MSI team to deliver high quality deliverables to the NASA customer

Conducts staff performance reviews and recommends performance improvement, career development, salary and promotion actions; establishes staffing needs and recommends reassignments, training, transfers, and other staff deployments; assists other supervisors in evaluation and assignment of staff.

What You Need to be Successful - [Systems Director]

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. 10%

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

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 or by email at . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.

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