New

OPO Spacecraft Assembly Engineer 2

ARES Corporation
medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, paid time off, 401(k)
United States, Florida, Merritt Island
Jan 16, 2026
Introduction, Job Description, and Functional Responsibilities: This position supports operations integration activities for the Orion Production Operations (OPO) Branch, Operations and Test Management Division of NASA's Exploration Ground Systems (EGS) Program Office located at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). The successful candidate will support assembly, integration, and test (AI&T) activities of the Orion spacecraft prior to turnover to EGS for processing and launch. The primary duty of this position is to support assembly, integration, and test (AI&T) activities for Orion modules and missions. Responsibilities include (but are not limited to): Provides daily support to OPO Spacecraft assembly, integration, and test (AI&T) team Support OPO Spacecraft AI&T team to provide insight and evaluation of Orion module assembly processes, issue resolutions, and schedules to ensure as-built flight hardware meets design and performance meets plan Partner with prime contractor and/or international partners to achieve technical and schedule performance commitments for Orion module production Manage and evaluate technical data for the OPO Hardware AI&T Review process in support of Orion System Acceptance Review (SAR) Analyze/Evaluate module production flow for schedule risks and opportunities, potential conflicts, and performance metrics to project impacts and initiate mitigations and to identify and influence production process improvements Coordinate module assembly activities, flight hardware issues, and safety/quality concerns with all OPO functional areas Maintain awareness of and/or witness daily module assembly activities and provide daily and weekly progress reports to Orion management Perform independent risk assessments and develop performance metrics to evaluate module production flow Maintain and expand knowledge of spacecraft components and parts at a technical level necessary to understand, explain, and analyze production operations Applies engineering techniques and lessons learned to support future operational campaigns Keeps management informed of work status, and progress in meeting milestones and deadlines, and problems encountered along with resolution As a team member, provides inputs with clear communication and understanding of performance to plan, risks and other technical, schedule and budgetary impacts Attends Program panels/boards related to program production decisions Remains cognizant of new and emerging production opportunities, tools, capabilities, and strategies. Looks for process improvement opportunities Minimum Requirements and Preferred Qualifications: Experience in Orion systems engineering processes and spacecraft operations Knowledge of spacecraft modules, facility, transportation, test integration, and operations Knowledge of Concept of Operations development Proficiency in technical document review to include design drawings Flexible to changing work demands, shift work, multi-task, operate with minimal direct supervision, and meet all customer deadlines Self-starter with outstanding organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills Ability to work odd hours and various shifts, including weekends as required to support spacecraft processing schedules Preferred Qualifications: Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work in a team environment co-located with customers Effective and clear communicator with the ability to present technical issues Proven work as a cohesive team member with many different technical experts in a dynamic schedule-driven environment Proficiency in Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project and Outlook, as well as commercial applications Knowledge of aerospace systems, structures, materials, kinematics and mechanics, aerodynamics, and fluids Knowledge of spacecraft hardware production processes and documentation Experience with Microsoft SharePoint and Teams, or ability to quickly learn and come up to speed Education and Relevant Work Experience: Minimum 4 years of relevant experience Bachelor of Science (BS) in an Engineering discipline Position may be filled at hire level, Engineer 3 with more experience / education ARES Benefits: ARES offers a competitive compensation and benefit package. Full time employees may participate in: Medical Insurance Dental Insurance Vision Insurance HSA/FSA Accounts Life & Disability Insurance Critical Illness & Accident Insurance ESOP 401(k) Plan Paid Time Off & Holiday ARES is an equal opportunity employer and complies with E-Verify. We believe in hiring a diverse workforce and fostering an inclusive culture. We are committed to non-discrimination on any protected basis, such as disability and veteran status, or any other basis covered under applicable law. ARES shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a).