Chandra Operations Engineer, Part Time

Join Our Journey

At Amentum Space Exploration Division (ASED your growth is our priority! That’s why we offer an array of exciting opportunities for your career development. From the transformative Team Lead Academy to education reimbursement, personalized mentoring, and engaging company-sponsored networking events, you have the power to shape your professional journey in a way that aligns with your aspirations.

Find Your Community

At the heart of our thriving business are the incredible people who make it all possible. We celebrate a vibrant array of cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. Here, we foster an environment where everyone—employees, clients, and partners alike—are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.

Prioritize Your Well-Being

Our extensive benefits package is designed with your health in mind. Enjoy wellness programs, paid holidays, generous time off, employee perks, and so much more. We’re here to help you achieve a harmonious balance in your life—both at work and at home.

Together, We Soar

Our dynamic team consists of 10 companies united in a single mission: to venture from Moon to Mars and beyond. Join us on this extraordinary adventure!

Position Description

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Operations Analyst to support the Chandra X-Ray Observatory team at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) within the Science and Technology Office.

The Chandra X-Ray Observatory is a telescope specially designed to detect X-ray emissions from exploded stars, clusters of galaxies, and matter around black holes. The Program Office for Chandra is at MSFC while operations support is provided by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) in Burlington, MA.

Having the project’s management and operations in two separate locations requires dedicated and intentional interaction and cross communication. The successful candidate will support meetings with the operations office at SAO and communicate the status and outcomes to the program office. This role will bridge the work of both offices to ensure the continued success of Chandra in delivering on its science mission.

Responsibilities

The Operations Analyst will be responsible for coordinating and communicating across the broader Chandra project. Responsibilities include: 

• Communicating and presenting at customer and stakeholder meetings and providing written reports documenting the status of the project.
• Act as the liaison between the MSFC and Harvard-Smithsonian Chandra offices.

• Maintain comprehensive records and documentation of operations, while also tracking the status of scientific studies and maintenance actions.

Qualifications

Education:

• B.S. Degree in Physics, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Earth Sciences, Planetary Sciences or a related technical field from an ABET-accredited university.
• A M.S. or PhD are desired but not required.
• Five to ten years of operations experience is desired.

Required Technical Experience:

• Strong Communication: Ability to understand and communicate at all levels of the project; from high level project goals to detailed scientific data.
• Dynamic Collaboration: Ability to work in a collaborative, dynamic environment, interacting effectively with scientists and engineers.   

Additional Desired Skills:

• Scientific Domain Knowledge: Experience in the field of astrophysics particularly in X-ray astronomy.  Experience in scientific satellite and instrument operations.

Essential Functions

Work Environment:

• Work is fully on site at the National Space and Science Technology Center at MSFC. 
• Work is part time (20 hours per week).
• Requires ability to provide clear, concise, accurate and timely communication, both verbally and in writing.
• Requires ability to interact professionally with co-workers, management, and client.
• Requires travel in the domestic USA (15%). Up to four trips to Burlington, MA to meet with the Chandra team at the Operations Control Center are required.

Physical Requirements:

• Requires sitting for extended periods of time in meetings with peers, management, and with our client at NASA facilities to discuss technical issues (10%).
• Requires sitting for extended periods of time at a desk to write reports and perform engineering tasks (80%).
• Requires ability to use stairs or elevators for access between floors and multiple buildings at NASA and Amentum facilities (10%).   

Equipment and Machines:

• Requires ability to operate a personal computer, a telephone, fax machine, copier, calculator, and other general office equipment (100%).   

Attendance:

• Normal workday is from 7:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m., Monday thru Friday.
• Regular attendance is a necessity.   

 Other Essential Functions:

• The ability to work independently with minimal supervision, and to make rational decisions, and to exercise good judgment is essential (100%).
• Grooming and dress must be appropriate for the position and must not impose a safety risk/hazard to the employee or others.
• Proof of U.S. Citizenship is required.

Essential Functions

Work Environment: 

Office environment. Requires ability to provide clear, concise, accurate and timely communication, both verbally and in writing (100%). Requires ability to interact professionally with co-workers, management, and client (100%). Requires travel in the domestic USA (5%).  Requires ability to work at a computer for long periods of time (100%).

Physical Requirements:

Requires sitting for extended periods of time in meetings with peers, management, and with our client at NASA facilities to discuss technical issues (10%). Also, requires sitting for extended periods of time at a desk to write reports and perform engineering tasks (80%). Requires ability to use stairs or elevators for access between floors and multiple buildings at NASA and our facilities (10%).  

Equipment and Machines: 

Requires ability to operate a personal computer, a telephone, fax machine, copier, calculator, and other general office equipment (100%).

Attendance: 

Normal workday 7:30-4:30, Monday thru Friday.  Minimal overtime may be required (10%) to meet schedule milestones and to support technical demands of the job. Regular attendance is a necessity, and adequate arrangements for delegating duties during absences are required. 

Other Essential Functions:

The ability to work independently with minimal supervision, and to make rational decisions, and to exercise good judgment is essential (100%). Grooming and dress must be appropriate for the position and must not impose a safety risk/hazard to the employee or others.

Proof of U.S. Citizenship is required. 

#ESSCA #ASED #Amentum

       

Compensation Details:

SME1

       

The compensation range or hourly rate listed for this position is provided as a good-faith estimate of what the company intends to offer for this role at the time this posting was issued. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as job responsibilities, education, experience, skills, internal equity, market data, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and relevant laws.

 

Benefits Overview:

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to support you and your priorities. Offerings include:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance

• Paid time off and holidays

• Retirement benefits (including 401(k) matching)

• Educational reimbursement

• Parental leave

• Employee stock purchase plan

• Tax-saving options

• Disability and life insurance

• Pet insurance

 

Note: Benefits may vary based on employment type, location, and applicable agreements. Positions governed by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act (SCA), or other employment contracts may include different provisions/benefits.

       

Original Posting:

06/01/2026 - Until Filled

Amentum anticipates this job requisition will remain open for at least three days, with a closing date no earlier than three days after the original posting. This timeline may change based on business needs.

       

Amentum is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our hiring practices provide equal opportunity for employment without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), age, ancestry, United States military or veteran status, color, religion, creed,  marital or domestic partner status, medical condition, genetic information, national origin, citizenship status, low-income status, or mental or physical disability so long as the essential functions of the job can be performed with or without reasonable accommodation, or any other protected category under federal, state, or local law. Learn more about your rights under Federal laws and supplemental language at Labor Laws Posters.