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Space Vehicle Flight Software Systems Engineer

Job DescriptionJob Description

Description:

Space Vehicle Flight Software Systems Engineers work with NASA on its Commercial Spacecraft including Commercial Crew Vehicles for transporting astronauts to and from the International Space Station (ISS), Human Landing System Vehicle for transporting astronauts to and from the lunar surface, and U.S. Deorbit Vehicle to safety deorbit the ISS when retired. This position involve insight/oversight of human-rated flight software including evaluations of concepts, analysis of flight software requirements and design, assessments of software architecture and code, and evaluations of verification tests and certification. Special emphasis will be placed on software safety, software process adherence, software verification, and certification for flight readiness.

Areas of focus will be data network and channelization, fault management, mission sequencing, aborts, emergency responses, redundancy management, etc. Vehicle system domains include crew systems; displays; avionics; command and data handling; environmental control and life support (ECLSS); power; propulsion; thermal; guidance, navigation, and control; communications and tracking; and docking.

This work requires collaboration with Commercial Spacecraft prime contractors. This position requires a self-motivated, capable person with strong verbal and written communication skills. In addition to outstanding technical expertise, the individual must be very people savvy, have strong customer relationship skills, possess a positive team-player attitude, be flexible and willing to take on new assignments and responsibilities as they arise. Finally, the most qualified candidate will be an articulate able to communicate complex technical ideas in a convincing manner, must share our passion for our Nation's Space Program, and share in the excitement of developing future human-rated space vehicles.

This work takes place at NASA/JSC in Houston, TX, a highly stimulating and dynamic environment that is critical in human space flight and the space exploration initiative.


Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Review and oversight of flight software requirements development, design, integration, production, verification, validation, and certification.
  • Perform systems engineering, such as hazard analysis, on vehicle subsystem domains.
  • Coordinate flight software issues and resolution across programs and vehicle systems engineering teams.
  • Detect areas of risk within the flight software and guide contractors through corrective action.
  • Evaluate prime contractor flight software architecture, design, and implementation.
  • Oversight of integration of flight software in test and verification facilities.
  • Interface with NASA and prime contractor engineering teams.
  • Provide inputs for developing Certification of Flight Readiness (COFR) recommendations.
  • Provide mission support including monitoring and evaluating flight operations and troubleshooting anomalies during commercial spacecraft flights in the Mission Evaluation Room (MER).


Required Qualifications:

  • Must be a U.S. or Permanent .
  • B.S. in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Computer or Software Engineering, Computer Science, or related disciplines required.
  • Prior or current background in software development or systems engineering.
  • 5-8 years of related experience in real-time safety critical software, including internships. Experience can be for aerospace vehicles or in other industries, e.g., oil and gas.
  • Must be flexible, open to new challenges in a dynamic environment, and possess strong technical expertise combined with strong verbal and written communication skills.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities with little supervision.
  • Must be a highly responsible, team-oriented individual with strong work ethic.
  • Must have highly developed coordination and organization skills.


Desired Skills/Knowledge:

  • M.S. in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Computer or Software Engineering, Computer Science, or related disciplines.
  • Experience in full life cycle safety critical software for aerospace or non-aerospace applications.
  • Experience in flight software development for human-rated space vehicles, e.g., Space Shuttle, International Space Station, SpaceX Crew Dragon, Boeing Starliner, Orion, or Gateway L2 or L3 modules.
  • Vehicle-wide knowledge of space vehicle systems, e.g., avionics; command and telemetry; command and control; displays; power; propulsion; thermal; ECLSS; guidance, navigation and control; communications and tracking, etc.
  • Knowledge of aerospace or similar vehicle operations, e.g., aircraft, space vehicle, satellite, submarine, etc.
  • Experience developing C/C++ and/or Python code.
  • Project management skills.
  • Familiarity with NASA's Commercial Crew Vehicles.

LZT is a professional technologies services firm that employs a diverse range of talent to create an environment that fuels innovation and fosters continuous improvement and success. Join LZT, where you will have the opportunity to make an immediate impact by providing information solutions and services in support of government programs (NASA Space Program, Science Foundation (NSF) U.S. Antarctic Program), and commercial clients. Our company and culture are built on robust leadership and a persistent adherence to regulations, safety, quality, reliability, responsiveness, creativity and diligence.

LZT is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer - /Minorities/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities.

Space Vehicle Flight Software Systems Engineer

Houston, TX
Full time

Published on 07/07/2025

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