Research Operations Engineer

Job Title

Research Operations Engineer

EDWARDS, CA 93523 US (Primary)

Job Type

Full-Time

150,000

180,000

Bachelor's Degree

Secret

This position provides support to the Operations Engineering Branch (Code 430) at the NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center (AFRC), which is instrumental in evaluating, coordinating, and implementing both project and maintenance operational requirements for all aircraft /flight vehicles, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), and aircraft assets. Code 430 holds the technical authority for airworthiness and is thereby responsible for ensuring airworthiness of aircraft and its systems as well as mission success where AFRC has responsibility.

In fulfilling this role, Code 430 leads and manages the aero‑mechanical design, drawing, configuration control, integration, and system test for all aircraft and unmanned aircraft systems. It also supports technical and programmatic risk assessment, evaluation and dispositioning of manufacturer maintenance deviations, mission planning, mission control/director, and advises flight operations concerning engineering and operational issues, as well as aircraft technical requirements.

Successful candidate will

• Ensure airworthiness of aircraft and its systems as well as mission success where NASA AFRC has responsibility
• Serve as the NASA Armstrong Flight Operations Directorate representative for the project
• Perform market surveys to support component product selection, cost, availability, fit to requirements, delivery estimates, multiple sources, comparisons
• Prepare documentation as needed for procurement, Statement of Work, definition of spares, needed Peripheral product documentation (e.g., mounting dimensions drawing, signal I/O, schematics, functional descriptions/architecture, certifications, etc.)
• Conduct periodic work schedule meetings with engineering and flight operations personnel to integrate flight vehicle maintenance and configuration changes into detailed flight preparation schedules that will accomplish desired mission objectives and operational requirements
• Develop or assist in the development of flight vehicle and UAS documentation to include:
  • Fact Sheets, Weight and Balance Worksheets, Procedures, Checklists, Flight Cards, Maintenance Plan, Emergency Procedures, and other project and/or aircraft procedure development/writing tasks, Hazard Analysis Reviews, Work Order System, cybersecurity plans, and other documentation and reports as requested
• Evaluate operational changes and modifications to ensure that the changes are consistent with operational capability of the flight vehicle/UAS
• Participate in the system safety process by identifying, evaluating, and documenting risks and implementing mitigations to assure airworthiness and mission success related to instruments, aircraft systems, experimental additions, proposed modifications effects, and the flight vehicle/UAS
• Perform airworthiness tests and analysis to the extent directed by Project or Flight Operations Directorate
• Act as the project’s Lead Flight Test Engineer with primary responsibilities of organizing test planning and leading and directing the data analysis plan
• Develop, perform and/or support briefings, preliminary and critical design reviews, peer reviews, and airworthiness processes
• Develop, review, and implement test plans, test procedures, checklists, etc. to facilitate aircraft operations in an efficient, safe and effective manner
• Monitor mission performance during test flights, and maintain records such as maneuvers performed, time of day, data anomalies, vehicle fuel load and burn, flight pattern, and control room status
• Additional Responsibilities include:
  • Maintain Aircraft Configuration management (flight and maintenance manuals) as required including management and disposition of Time Compliance Technical Order (TCTO), Airworthiness Directives, and Maintenance Directives (MDs) as required.
• Support and lead NASA aircraft safety processes
• Prepare and manage Certificate of Authorization (COAs)
• Perform airspace coordination within restricted airspace and National Airspace
• Participate and take on leadership roles in Operations Working Groups (OWGs), Mission Rule Working Groups (MRWGs), Systems Safety Working Groups (SSWGs)
• Analyze project objectives and requirements, develop plans for conducting projects, provide support for the project safety review process, including participation in the development of Failure Modes and Effects Analysis, documentation of hazards, and the specification and implementation of mitigations to those hazards
• Review project instructions to ascertain requirements, specifications, procedures, objectives, equipment, nature of technical problem, and possible solutions
• Assist in the development of flight test plans and Concept of Operations (CONOPS) that include, but are not limited to, test conditions, maneuvers, contingencies for weather and other influences, required…