Aerospace Engineer, AST, Aerospace Flight Systems (Direct Hire)

Full Job Description

You will serve as the Parachute Lead for the Engineering Directorate, overseeing the development, testing, certification, and surveillance of the Commercial Crew Program (CCP) and Orion parachute systems, and any parachute advanced development activities for future programs.

The role involves both leading a high-performing multi-disciplinary team and communicating frequently with key stakeholders including but not limited to CCP and the Orion program.

In addition to the Basic Education Requirement (in the Education section below), to qualify for this position you must meet the requirements below.

Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work.

NASA utilizes OPM-approved qualification and rating requirements specific for Aerospace Technology (AST) positions which recognizes NASA's unique aerospace work.

The specific qualifications and minimum education requirements are further described below and within the education section of the job announcement.

To qualify for GS-14, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level: Performing systems engineering, technical integration tasks, or Entry Descent and Landing (EDL)-focused technical work; Organizing, planning, and/or managing technical activities for the purpose of accomplishing defined objectives within schedule and budget constraints; Communicating technical data, concepts, or recommendations to program management, senior executives, or external stakeholders.

Your resume must include a clear and detailed narrative description, in your own words, of how you meet the required specialized experience.

Experience statements copied from a position description, vacancy announcement or other reference material constitutes plagiarism and may result in disqualification and losing consideration for the job.

NASA prohibits the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or AI-assisted tool in drafting application and assessment responses.

Please visit https://www.nasa.gov/careers/how-to-apply/#Artificial-Intelligence to review NASA's guidance on the use of AI tools during the application process. Major Duties:

• Coordinate activities related to parachute systems test, evaluation, modeling, and certification performed by NASA personnel, prime contractors, and subcontractors.
• Conduct inter-disciplinary verification and validation activities to ensure that the Commercial Crew Program (CCP) parachute behavior is adequately characterized to support impacted requirements using modeling, and flight-testing techniques.
• Lead a broad range of activities to ensure that the Orion parachute behavior is adequately characterized to support impacted program requirements using modeling, and flight-testing techniques.
• Perform advanced development activities to maintain NASA’s parachute testing capability and advance state of the art modeling of parachute systems.
• Develop and maintain a detailed understanding of each partners’ vehicle design strategies, environments, and risks as they relate to parachute and dependent hardware subsystems.
• Identify, develop, and communicate closure plans for parachute-related risks within the CCP and Orion vehicle designs.
• Interface with key stakeholders such as the CCP Integrated Aeroscience and Flight Mechanics System Manager, NASA JSC Safety and Mission Assurance, NASA Engineering Safety Center, Orion Program Offices and NASA’s commercial partners.