Senior Engineer - Spacecraft Liquid Propulsion Systems

Overview
Axient is seeking a Senior Engineer with expertise in Spacecraft Liquid Propulsion Systems (particularly involving hypergolic propellants) in support of the Gateway Deep Space Logistics (DSL) Program at NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC). This position will contribute to Insight, Surveillance, Systems Engineering, Analysis, and Mission Operations support services to the DSL Program. This position supports DSL related work to develop, integrate, and execute Gateway Logistics Services (GLS) missions to deliver cargo, payloads, or other Gateway elements to the Gateway in lunar orbit.
Responsibilities
Duties & Responsibilities: Responsibilities include systems engineering and integration activities related to management of mission requirements and verification with external customers, insight, surveillance, and mission activities directly related to specific GLS missions, but also and other DSL mission work. Other specific responsibilities include:

• Evaluate the GLS Provider's design, analyses, testing, manufacturing, verification, validation, assembly, integration, checkout, and mission preparations for compliance with applicable Program/Project requirements.
  • Present evaluation results to DSL to assist with requirements verification closure and mission readiness determination for GLS missions.
  • Participate in DSL Engineering Review Boards (ERBs), Logistics Control Boards (LCBs), and other management or independent reviews to provide technical assessment of the GLS Provider's compliance with the Program/Project requirements, requirements verification closure. and mission readiness determination for GLS missions.
  • Evaluate GLS Provider troubleshooting and resolution plans for hardware and software anomalies sustained during qualification and acceptance testing, spacecraft processing, or in-flight operations.
  • In the event of anomalies, provide independent evaluation of root cause, contributing causes, and recommended corrective actions. Track failure trends of components and investigate latent defects.
  • Support NASA-chaired Mishap Investigation Board (MIB) meetings in the event of a failed mission.
• Employ Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) expertise to:
  • Develop and create complex vehicle models
  • Simulate these models using relevant code
  • Modify or update analytical code as required
  • Understand GLS Provider tools and models such that input and output files can be reviewed efficiently and accurately.
• Assess DSL and GLS Provider spacecraft, ground systems, and associated engineering and analytical products throughout the life cycle for GLS missions and fleet activities.

Qualifications
Skills & Experience:
The applicant should have extensive engineering experience in support of spacecraft development, testing, or operations and possess expertise in the following fields:

• Spacecraft Liquid Propulsion Systems (hypergolic, bi-propellant)
• Spacecraft propulsive maneuvering and attitude control systems

Experience in the following areas is highly desired:

• Analysis of plume characteristics and impingement effects associated with propulsion/maneuvering/attitude control system exhaust and venting using Engineering Model for Plume Impingement in Rarefield Environments (EMPIRE), RCSPLUME or similar tools
• NASA commercial launch and service providers (e.g., Commercial Crew or Commercial Cargo), Orion, Human Landing System, or other NASA space
• The applicant should have the ability to work in a team environment consisting of NASA civil servants and various contractor employees and possess excellent oral and written communication skills.

Required Experience & Education:

• BS in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or related STEM discipline and MA/MS in a relevant discipline.
• Applicant should have over 10 years of relevant experience.