Research Associate: Aerospace Cognitive Engineering

OUR STATEMENT The San José State University Research Foundation (SJSURF) is committed to building a work environment where everyone can show up as their own self and have an opportunity to contribute, develop, and advance in their career. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are core values of the organization. We strive to attract, retain, and develop employees who reflect the community and society where we work and live.

The Research Foundation aims to develop a culture where everyone feels welcome, shares their views, and where differences in backgrounds and perspectives are seen as adding value.

GENERAL NATURE OF POSITION The Department of Psychology at San José State University is involved in collaborative research with civil service scientists from the Aerospace Cognitive Engineering Lab (ACE) in the Human Systems Integration Division at NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, CA. We seek a Research Associate to collaborate on, support, and oversee safety-critical aeronautics and space automation systems continue to further NASA’s research.

The research performed in the ACE Lab follows in the tradition of cognitive engineering and cognitive systems engineering to apply principles from cognitive science, human factors engineering/ergonomics, human-systems integration, human-systems engineering and systems engineering to complex, safety-critical systems. ACE Lab methods and tools focus on helping to clearly define the tasks and associated performance metrics for the automation functions and predict interaction performance based on models of human and system performance.

Foundational to the ability of the ACE Lab to successfully conduct its research is a fully functioning, well-maintained, safe, secure, and updated lab infrastructure that includes the systems, software, displays, associated peripherals, and other necessary component layers all working seamlessly and with a high rate of availability.

The ideal candidate for this position would be comfortable supervising a complex laboratory ecosystem and ensuring that it continues to support current and future research. We are seeking someone who is detail oriented, self-motivated, able to work with others, and can propose ACE Lab operational improvements.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Oversee the management and maintenance of the ACE Lab’s infrastructure, ensuring availability, reliability, and security.
2. Understand the lab’s research agenda and map its capabilities and any new technological requirements to research goals.
3. Develop and maintain simulation software for flight training systems.
4. Configure and integrate hardware systems including control loaders, display networks, and cockpit interfaces.
5. Design and prototype cockpit layouts using CAD models and physical mockups.
6. Optimize terrain and visual database performance.
7. Implement and support secure network environments.
8. Write and maintain technical documentation.
9. Other duties as assigned.

INTERPERSONAL CONTACTSReports to the project director. Interacts with SJSURF staff and civil service staff daily.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES None, though may be called upon for advice and direction by others.

QUALIFICATIONS Education and Experience Bachelor’s degree in software engineering, biomedical engineering, or related discipline.
5+ years working in a NASA research laboratory setting.

Experience overseeing laboratory systems and equipment.

Experience with flight simulation development.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities Required Methodical and detail oriented with solid analytical skills and problem-solving ability required.

Capacity and willingness to adopt new methodologies and skills in line with core responsibilities required.

Ability to work effectively and efficiently in culturally and organizationally diverse research teams required.

Ability to manage and support the technical and operational needs of a scientific laboratory and collaborate cross-organization required.

Skill in integrating hardware and software to provide custom solutions based on research needs required.

Knowledge of laboratory system design, interactions, and requirements required.

Ability to write and maintain…