NASA Space Reactor-1 (SR-1) Space Vehicle Modeling and Simulation Engineer

Description

The team at the company builds math models and simulations for NASA's Mars Space Reactor-1 (SR-1) spacecraft systems. The work supports the Mars SR-1 Freedom program for Mars exploration and takes place at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX.

The work covers math model and simulation development, simulation integration, and distributed simulation development on Linux PCs, using the Trick Simulation Environment and Development Toolkit.

The ideal candidate has spacecraft domain experience in one or more of these areas: avionics command and data handling, communications, electrical power, nuclear power, advanced propulsion, fluids and thermal, orbital dynamics, robotic dynamics, and Guidance, Navigation, and Controls.

The role also supports model validation and software verification across several spacecraft, systems, and subsystems, and the team works on the next human-rated space vehicles.

Responsibilities

• Define simulation math model requirements for space vehicle systems and subsystems, then verify those requirements and validate the simulation and models.
• Design and build math models for spacecraft systems and subsystems, covering both hardware and software.
• Develop distributed simulations.
• Build simulation scenarios that test nominal and off-nominal spacecraft operations.
• Analyze simulation data to assess spacecraft system performance.
• Find and carry out improvements to math models and simulation scenarios, and help keep the simulation architecture evolving.
• Present analysis results, and what they mean for spacecraft performance, vehicle design, and mission design, to customers.

Requirements

• Required: U.S. citizen or permanent resident, needed for access to U.S. government facilities.
• Required: a B.S. in Aerospace, Electrical, or Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field, with software development experience covering project design, programming, testing, verification, validation, and documentation.
• Required: 2+ years working with aerospace vehicle simulations and math model development. More experience is highly valued.
• Required: 2+ years in one or more spacecraft domains: avionics command and data handling, communications, electrical power, nuclear power, advanced propulsion, fluids and thermal, orbital dynamics, robotic dynamics, or Guidance, Navigation, and Controls. More experience is highly valued.
• Required: 2+ years with simulation and math model verification and validation processes.
• Required: at least 2+ years of C++ and Python in a Linux environment. More experience is highly valued.
• Required: experience with version control tools such as git.
• Required: strong computer and software skills in Linux.
• Required: ability to juggle multiple priorities with little supervision.
• Required: highly responsible, a team player, and a strong work ethic.
• Desired: U.S. citizen or permanent resident, needed for access to U.S. government facilities.
• Desired: a B.S. in Aerospace, Electrical, or Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field, with software development experience covering project design, programming, testing, verification, validation, and documentation.
• Desired: 2+ years working with aerospace vehicle simulations and math model development. More experience is highly valued.
• Desired: 2+ years in one or more spacecraft domains: avionics command and data handling, communications, electrical power, nuclear power, advanced propulsion, fluids and thermal, orbital dynamics, robotic dynamics, or Guidance, Navigation, and Controls. More experience is highly valued.
• Desired: 2+ years with simulation and math model verification and validation processes.
• Desired: at least 2+ years of C++ and Python in a Linux environment. More experience is highly valued.
• Desired: experience with version control tools such as git.
• Desired: strong computer and software skills in Linux.
• Desired: ability to juggle multiple priorities with little supervision.
• Desired: highly responsible, a team player, and a strong work ethic.
• You are a self-motivated person with strong verbal and written communication skills, and you explain complex technical ideas clearly and persuasively. You build good relationships with customers, are flexible about taking on new assignments, and share the team's commitment to the nation's space program.

Conditions

Full-time, regular position.

Up to 10% travel within the continental U.S.

No security clearance is needed to start.

Based at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX.

Proposed salary range: $76,000 - 155,700 USD.

Final pay depends on factors such as location, Federal Government contract labor categories and wage rates, relevant experience, specific skills and competencies, education, and certifications.

Equal opportunity and legal details are handled under company policy.

Benefits

• A culture built on integrity, with a high-performing group focused on customer missions and on keeping the nation safe.
• A trusting environment that values each employee's contribution, with flexible time off so you can take the time you need.
• Access to learning resources to support your career growth.
• Comprehensive benefits, including healthcare, wellness, financial, retirement, family support, continuing education, and time off.
• Competitive compensation and learning and development opportunities.