As a Propulsion Engineer, you will work at Johnson Space Center or Marshall Space Flight Center on programs such as Orion, Commercial Crew, International Space Station and Gateway; work with contractors (e.g. Lockheed, SpaceX, Boeing and Axiom) on vehicles built (Orion, Dragon, CST-100, Gateway Propulsion and Power Element); and provide expertise in all aspects of propulsion or fluid systems (e.g. system design, reliability, material compatibility, engine manufacturing, valve performance, etc.).

Duties

Develops chemical rocket propulsion systems for human spacecraft. Propulsion systems of new or substantially improved components, materials, processes, procedures and techniques, structures, valves, operations, etc. for these spacecraft. Develops, tests, evaluates, researches, and maintains, remodels spacecraft. Works with systems related to propulsion and the designing, manufacturing, and operation of space vehicles and rocket propulsion systems; using critical inquiry, problem solving, and scientific methodology. Understands, visualizes, analyzes, designs, and operates spacecraft. Investigates phenomena encountered in flight. Performs research, design, development, test and evaluation, cost analyses, program and project management. Works alongside contract aerospace engineers to perform these various duties to incorporate new technologies, improve reliability, extend the life of an aerospace vehicle, or reduce total ownership costs. Monitors or manages contracted work either externally or on-site in the facility of the contractor. Develop performance requirements or design criteria.

Requirements

• This position is open to U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
• Position subject to pre-employment background investigation or higher level clearance. Investigation/Clearance may differ and be required based on the duties/location-NASA Center requirements.
• You must meet qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
• This position may require a one year probationary period.
• Duty location will be at one of the locations listed on the announcement. Selectee(s) will be required to work onsite at the duty location selected.
• Financial Disclosure, Drug Testing, and/or the Travel Requirements for this position may differ and be required based on the duty location/NASA Center requirements.

Qualifications

In addition to the Basic Education Requirement (in the Education section below), to qualify for this position you must meet the requirements below. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work. NASA utilizes OPM-approved qualification and rating requirements specific for Aerospace Technology (AST) positions which recognizes NASA's unique aerospace work. The specific qualifications and minimum education requirements are further described below and within the education section of the job announcement. To qualify for GS-13, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the federal sector: Performing technical evaluation of liquid propulsion, fluid, or mechanical systems (e.g. rocket engines, valves, fluid lines, failures, pumps, structures, or similar equipment); Working with a chemical liquid rocket, fluid, or mechanical systems to assist with development, production, design, or test; and Collaborating with internal or external partners (e.g. international partners, contractors, suppliers, other engineers, colleagues, etc.) to evaluate their systems or interfaces, recommend changes, or perform independent verifications. Your resume must include a clear and detailed narrative description, in your own words, of how you meet the required specialized experience. Experience statements copied from a position description, vacancy announcement or other reference material constitutes plagiarism and may result in disqualification and losing consideration for the job.

Education

Basic Education Requirement: You must have successfully completed a bachelor's degree with a major in one of the following:

a) Engineering from a college or university that has ABET accredited engineering programs
b) Physical Science, Mathematics, Life Science or other field of Science
c) Computer Science that included 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of course work in any combination of mathematics, statistics and computer science with at least half of those hours in mathematics and statistics courses that included differential and integral calculus.

If you did not complete a qualifying bachelor's degree, you may be eligible if you have obtained a graduate degree in an AST qualifying field, as listed above.

Degrees in engineering technology are not considered qualifying for this position.

Engineering degrees earned within the United States: Engineering degrees earned within the United States must be from a college or university that has at least one ABET accredited engineering program. To find out if a school has at least one ABET accredited program, please visit http://www.abet.org.

Engineering degrees earned outside the United States: Engineering degrees earned outside the United States must be recognized by a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA), often known as accords. These are non-governmental agreements among organizations that accredit academic degree programs. MRAs recognize the substantial equivalence of mature accreditation systems and programs accredited by signatory organizations within their jurisdictions. For a listing of Signatories, please visit, https://www.abet.org/global-presence/mutual-recognition-agreements/is-your-program-recognized/.

Science and other related degrees earned within the United States: Science and other related degrees must have been awarded from colleges or universities that are accredited by recognized accrediting organizations. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, go to http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.

Science and other related degrees earned outside the United States: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs. These education credentials must be deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

All degrees must have been received in the year of, or any year subsequent to the original date of accreditation.

Contacts

• Address Johnson Space Center 2101 NASA Parkway Houston, TX 77058 US
• Name: NASA Shared Services Contact Center
• Phone: 1-877-677-2123
• Email: [email protected]