Propulsion Engineer -Aerospace Engineering (NASA Sounding Rocket Program)

NASA's Sounding Rocket Operations Contract (NSROC) is a sub-orbital space flight program located at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility (WFF), a part of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). NSROC provides suborbital launch vehicles, payload development and field operations support to NASA's Science Mission Directorate. The program enables the collection of Earth, Heliophysics and Astrophysics science.

This position will require an individual to be able to work individually and work in a team environment. Applicant will be in the Launch Vehicle Engineering group for sounding rocket missions. The application will support mechanical design and testing of standard launch vehicle systems components. This position will require an individual to be locally located to support efforts on base as well as be able to support required telework. Applicant will work on a variety of projects, typically multiple at any one time.

The Launch Vehicle Engineer (Propulsion) applies mechanical, thermal dynamics, and fluid dynamics principles to components and systems, including assembly, analysis, and documentation of results; construction of developmental assemblies, sub-assemblies and components; and quality testing. Supports and participates in the design, test, modification, fabrication and assembly of launch vehicle systems. is responsible for the design, testing and field operations support related to sounding rocket vehicle systems including flight termination, recovery, and stage ignition/separation. They research, develop, design, and test vehicle related components, equipment, and systems; applying principles and techniques of aerospace engineering. They are responsible for the production and presentation of technical material in support of internal and external customer meetings.

Responsibilities may include:

Supporting sub-orbital rocket launches by engineering vehicle systems and flight termination systems.
• Analysis of solid rocket motor dynamics.
• Developing and revising procedures and processes related to hazardous operations involving pyrotechnic devices, ordnance, and solid rocket motors.
• Operate sounding rocket vehicle systems ground support equipment (GSE) during payload integration and testing, launch operations, and throughout suborbital flight.
• Working in a fast-paced team environment performing launch vehicle hardware & software system and subsystem level integration, test and launch operation;
• Troubleshooting, documenting and dispositioning flight and test equipment hardware and software discrepancies and pursuing root cause and corrective actions;
• Executing and reviewing integration and test work packages;
• Conduct hazardous testing involving pyrotechnics.
• Production and presentation of technical material in support of internal and external customer meetings.
• Contribute to the development of new engineering products or specialty products, and specifications.
• Participate in technical interchange discussions with customers and experimenters.
• Manage the activities required to meet the objectives of assigned design and development projects.
• Supporting the integration of, and transition to new hardware and software systems, and generating related documentation.
• Serve as cognizant engineer for launch vehicles on NASA sounding rocket missions

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree or higher in a STEM discipline (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science Engineering
• High mechanical and electrical aptitude
• Ability to read, interpret, and implement technical drawings (electrical/mechanical), specifications, and procedures
• Five years of engineering experience.
• Knowledge of test instrumentation including, but not limited to, Power Supplies, DMMs, oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, and network analyzers, vibration tables, strength and bend testing, etc.
• An understanding of basic static and dynamic analysis related to flight structures.
• Understanding of rocket motor dynamics

Ability to obtain a public trust

Desired Qualifications:

• BS/MS Fluid Mechanics, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry
• Experience in any of all of the following areas
• Solid Rocket Motor Design and Analysis
• SPP (Solid Performance Prediction) dynamic motor analysis
• Solid Rocket propellant formulation
• Solid rocket propellant grain manufacturing/ design
• Solid rocket propellant grain inspection
• Solid Rocket Motor testing /instrumentation / static fire
• Hazardous Operation Procedure Creation
• Rocket Motor Hazard Classification
• MATLAB data analysis
• Knowledge and familiarity of electronic and mechanical test equipment
• Experience with ordnance systems involving solid rocket motors, initiators/igniters
• Environmental test requirements and interpretation of test results for environments such as mechanical shock, random vibration, sine vibration, and acceleration.
• Familiarity with hazardous operations and procedures.

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