NASA Spacecraft Flight Software Systems Engineer

NASA Spacecraft Flight Software Systems Engineer

CACI is looking for an experienced Spacecraft Flight Software Systems Engineer to work in NASA Johnson Space Center's flight software systems engineering and integration group supporting NASA's next generation crewed spacecraft, Orion, which will carry astronauts to the Moon. Orion will dock in lunar orbit with a lunar lander which will transport astronauts to and from the lunar surface. This exciting software systems engineering position involves insight/oversight of human-rated flight software including evaluations of concepts, analysis of flight software requirements and design, assessments of software architecture and code, and evaluations of verification tests and certification. Special emphasis will be placed on software safety, software process adherence, software verification, and certification for flight readiness.

Typical areas of focus include data network and channelization, fault management, mission event sequencing, aborts, emergency responses, redundancy management, flight software interfaces with external Artemis flight and ground elements, docking, etc.

This work requires collaboration with Spacecraft prime contractors. This position requires a self-motivated, capable person with strong verbal and written communication skills. In addition to outstanding technical expertise, the individual must be very people savvy, have strong customer relationship skills, possess a positive team-player attitude, be flexible and willing to take on new assignments and responsibilities as they arise.

Finally, the most qualified candidate will be an articulate speaker able to communicate complex technical ideas in a convincing manner, must share our passion for our Nation's Space Program, and share in the excitement of developing future human-rated space vehicles.

Responsibilities:

• Review and provide oversight of flight software requirements, architecture, development, design, integration, production, verification, validation, and certification.
• Review systems engineering products, such as hazard analysis and mission profiles, to ensure proper incorporation in vehicle subsystem domains.
• Coordinate flight software issues and resolution across programs and vehicle systems engineering teams.
• Analyze flight software architecture infrastructure and evaluate Central Processing Unit (CPU) utilization and related launch commit criteria.
• Provide technical feedback on the products produced by the prime contractor as the code for the Orion spacecraft is developed.
• Review C++ code for errors and ensure proper adherence was given to processes for code development.
• Provide oversight of integration of flight software in test and verification facilities.
• Evaluate interface requirements and Interface Control Documents (ICDs) to ensure external interfaces to the flight software are well defined and tested. Coordinate resolution of interface issues across programs.
• Detect areas of risk within the flight software and guide contractors through corrective action.
• Interface with NASA and prime contractor engineering teams.
• Provide inputs for developing Certification of Flight Readiness (COFR) recommendations.
• This work takes place at NASA/JSC in Houston, TX, a highly stimulating and dynamic environment that is critical in human space flight and the space exploration initiative.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident.
• B.S. in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Computer or Software Engineering, Computer Science, or related disciplines required.
• Prior or current background in software development or systems engineering.
• At least five years of related experience in real-time safety-critical software in aerospace or other industries, e.g., commercial software, oil and gas, etc. Experience greater than the minimum through senior expertise is highly valued.
• Must be flexible, open to new challenges in a dynamic environment, and possess strong technical expertise combined with strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities with little supervision.
• Must be a highly responsible, team-oriented individual with strong work ethic.
• Must have highly developed coordination and organization skills.

Desired:

• M.S. in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Computer or Software Engineering, Computer Science, or related disciplines.
• Experience in full life cycle of safety-critical human-rated software for aerospace or non-aerospace applications.
• Experience in flight software development for human-rated space vehicles, e.g., Space Shuttle, International Space Station, SpaceX Crew Dragon, Boeing Starliner, Orion, or Lunar Gateway.
• Experience developing C/C++ and/or Python code.
• Experience with NASA core Flight System (cFS).
• Flight software Verification and Validation (V&V) experience.
• Vehicle-wide knowledge of space vehicle systems, e.g., avionics; command and telemetry; command and control; timeline/vehicle management; systems management; displays; power; propulsion; thermal; ECLSS; guidance, navigation, and control; communications and tracking; NASA Docking System, etc.
• Knowledge of aerospace or similar vehicle operations, e.g., aircraft, space vehicle, satellite, submarine, etc.
• Familiarity with the NASA Spacecraft Software Engineering Team (SSET) standards and processes for class A safety-critical FSW.
• Familiarity with NASA's Orion Spacecraft