In an era of dynamic change in space, Aerospace is addressing a generation of complex challenges. We operate the only federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) committed exclusively to the space enterprise. Our technical experts span every discipline of space-related science and engineering. Join our team and thrive in a career that matters to the world and you personally.

The Strategic Assessments & Studies (SAS) Division of the Civil Systems Group (CSG) is responsible for conducting independent assessments and strategic studies to inform key decisions by NASA and other federal agencies. Typical products and services are independent cost/schedule estimates, programmatic assessments, advanced architecture studies, engineering assessments and development of capabilities/tools.

The candidate will support programmatic and technical (cost, schedule, risk) studies to assist NASA and other civil customers in agency-level strategic decision-making on future programs and projects. Work includes performing cost and schedule analysis on NASA and other civil government programs throughout the development lifecycle, detailed assessments of earned value data, and technical risk assessments to provide programmatic health and status.  Work also involves designing, developing and maintaining software and capabilities to improve modeling, analysis and visualization of the programmatic analysis support to the customer.

Support in this position will also consist of:

• Developing and maintaining data-driven analytical models and databases.

• Leading the development of high-performance applications and algorithms and integrating multiple capabilities as appropriate to support the customer.

• Evolving organizational products and process standards to keep them practical and aligned with professional/commercial standards

• Typical products and services are independent cost/schedule estimates, programmatic assessments, advanced architecture studies, engineering assessments, strategic studies, pre-project support and development of capabilities/tools. Strategic studies work may span across NASA mission directorates including Science, Exploration, Space Technology and Aeronautics as well as studies related to best practices, standards, Agency infrastructure, and policy.

• Current customers include NASA HQ Mission Directorates: Science Mission, Human Exploration, Space Technology and Aeronautics; HQ support organizations at Langley Research Center such as Science Office for Mission Assessments (SOMA) and NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC); the Planetary Missions Program Office at Marshall Spaceflight Center, the Planetary Exploration Office at Glenn Research Center, Goddard Space Flight Center, Discovery/New Frontiers/Lunar Quest office, and the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM). Work may also include support to inter-Agency studies with organizations such as the Department of Energy.

• Candidates should be able to lead, work, and communicate effectively as part of a team in a fast paced, dynamic environment, react quickly to changing requirements and schedules, and provide products of consistently high quality.

• Candidates must be able to effectively work with multiple projects simultaneously.

• Travel may be required to support various customers.

• Candidate should be able to summarize and present analysis findings to upper management and customer senior leadership.

Qualifications

Required

• BS in Science, Technology, Engineering, computer science or Mathematics field

• 3 or more years of increasingly responsible experience in aerospace engineering and concept design

• Knowledge of NASA missions and technologies, NASA development lifecycle, development requirements and guidelines

• Experience in space systems engineering, risk assessment, cost modeling and analysis, independent cost estimating and tradespace studies

• Experience with Excel/VBA and MS Project

• Experience with Python development

• Dependability, good interpersonal skills, and demonstrated ability to work on teams

• Experience directly interfacing with customers and delivering comprehensive assessment products

• Excellent verbal and written communications skills are required

Preferred

• Demonstrated high proficiency in object-oriented programming languages

• Demonstrated proficiency in database application development

• Commercial software development experience

• Demonstrated proficiency in designing and implementing test suites