Moonbase Test and Evaluation Facility Senior Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.

Building on The Aerospace Corporation's reputation as a trusted, impartial advisor with integrity and dedication to mission success, the Civil Systems Group (CSG) combines deep technical expertise with market-leading innovation to help our customers solve complex systems engineering and integration challenges. CSG is organized by core customer-facing lines of business to manage and grow programs within NASA, NOAA, and the NNSA, while extending our capabilities to other civilian federal government agencies fully integrated within Aerospace rules, regulations, processes, values, and behaviors. 

We are looking for a Moonbase Test and Evaluation Facility Senior Engineer (Senior Project Engineer- Technical Project Management). This position will support the Moonbase Program by managing test and evaluation facilities and capabilities for various efforts across Moonbase with key responsibilities associated with managing our Aerospace Corporations footprint at the Texas A&M Space Institute for NASA.

This is a full-time position located at NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas with an onsite work model that combines 4 regular onsite workdays and remote flexibility as business needs allow.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Facility Operations & Access Management
  • Provide and manage regular access to a large-scale, indoor, climate-controlled testing and training facility designed to replicate the lunar surface environment
  • Ensure facility readiness for integrated testing of Moon Base-owned and operated systems
  • Coordinate with facility management, stakeholders, customers, and NASA personnel to maintain operational availability
  • Support facility maintenance, upkeep, and continuous operational readiness
• NASA Program Support and Integration/Coordination
  • Work closely with NASA Moonbase Mission & Systems Interoperability office to execute the needs of their test and evaluation plans
  • Ensure the facility is meeting the needs of Moonbase M&SI as well as the needs of associated stakeholders and customer teams
• Safety & Compliance Management
  • Ensure compliance with all applicable safety regulations, NASA requirements, and OSHA standards
  • Maintain a safe working environment for crew, test subjects, and support staff during all facility operations
  • Develop, implement, and enforce safety protocols specific to pressurized suit operations, robotic systems, and large-scale vehicle operations
  • Conduct regular safety briefings and ensure all personnel are trained on facility-specific hazards and emergency procedures
  • Monitor and mitigate risks associated with lunar simulation activities, including dust exposure, suited operations, and heavy equipment use
  • Maintain emergency response plans and coordinate with safety personnel for incident prevention
• Test & Training Support
  • Accommodate realistic testing of pressurized EVA suits, rovers, landers, habitats, robotic systems, and operational procedures in representative lunar terrain
  • Facilitate integrated Verification & Validation (V&V) and asset V&V by providing NASA-managed test capabilities
• Test Preparation & Execution Leadership
  • Plan and prioritize testing through development and maintenance of test schedules.
  • Coordinate test opportunities across stakeholder communities and ensure facility needs will meet test requirements
  • Ensure and help lead preparations for pressurized suit operations, surface mobility and rover operations, and integrated mission simulations
  • Provide leadership and coordination for test and facility readiness reviews, safety reviews, inspections, audits, and certification activities
  • Manage test preparation and reporting activities (pre and post)
  • Provide appropriate facilities and infrastructure to support suited and robotic testing
• Equipment & Asset Management
  • Provide, manage, and operate Moon Base facility vehicles, tractors, trailers, attachments, and other equipment required for testing and facility sustainment
  • Oversee procurement, inventory, storage, and maintenance of facility equipment, tools, and consumable materials
  • Ensure all equipment meets safety standards and operational requirements 

What You Need to be Successful- Senior Project Engineer- Technical Project Management

Minimum Requirements: 

• Bachelor of Science degree or in engineering, science, or another STEM degree
• 10 or more years of increasingly responsible professional engineering/scientific experience, including experience managing facilities and ensuring safety
• Experience leading partnership establishment with US government and engaging senior leaders and facilitating visits and engagements
• Knowledge and understanding of the NASA program life cycle and associated milestone reviews and coordinating across teams to drive operations outcomes
• Expansive experience leading and developing NASA Human In The Loop Testing systems and protocols
• Ability to effectively utilize oral and written communication to express technical concepts and recommendations to personnel at all technical and managerial levels
• Demonstrated initiative and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Excellent presentation and communications skills, including development of and briefing of decision packages and complex information in a succinct and polished manner
• Experience working across diverse teams and multiple engineering disciplines, including human in the loop disciplines
• This position may require the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance

 How You Can Stand Out 

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these: 

• Advanced degree in engineering, science, or another STEM discipline
• Experience with NASA mission operations processes and teams
• Background in designing and developing human based operations
• Demonstrated success leading or executing technical and programmatic tasks for NASA missions
• Experience coordinating with international partners and commercial vendors

We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business.  The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below.  Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills.

(Min - Max)

$151,300.00 - $226,900.00

Pay Basis: Annual

Leadership Competencies

Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who:

• Operate Strategically
• Lead Change   
• Engage with Impact   
• Foster Innovation   
• Deliver Results  

Ways We Reward Our Employees

During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits.

Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type.  A few highlights include:

• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans

• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation

• Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options

• 401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire

• Flexible spending accounts

• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions

• Relocation assistance

• Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career

• Education assistance programs

• An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect

We are all unique, from various backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.

Equal Opportunity Commitment

The Aerospace Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at peoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.