Mission Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY:

Join the NASA Wallops Flight Facility team and play a pivotal role in enabling some of NASA’s most exciting space missions. As a Mission Engineer on the Wallops Range Contract, you will provide critical engineering optimization and technical leadership for complex range systems supporting sounding rockets, expendable launch vehicles, UAS, balloons, and Artemis-related human spaceflight network support. More than 20 global tracking sites and mobile instrumentation deployments worldwide depend on the real-time performance of Wallops Range systems. Apply your expertise in link analysis, mission configuration design, telemetry systems, and deployed site leadership to ensure mission success for scientists, researchers, and mission controllers around the world.

OVERVIEW OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform Mission Engineering as defined in the WRC SOW: engineering optimization of Range systems (telemetry, RF, instrumentation) for missions of greater-than-usual complexity or criticality.
• Conduct detailed RF link analyses for downlinks and uplinks; evaluate predicted vs. actual performance to inform configuration decisions.
• Design, implement, and verify comprehensive test plans, schematics, and mission-specific configurations for telemetry ground stations, antennas, receivers, processors, and other range assets.
• Support NASA Mission Reviews (IPIR, RRR, LRR) including briefing materials on range instrumentation configurations, readiness, risks, and implementation plans.
• Deploy as Site Lead / ROC Site Lead for mobile telemetry and range instrumentation campaigns; lead assigned technicians, manage site operations, safety, and real-time reporting during remote deployments (including up to 12 weeks at Poker Flat Research Range).
• Generate and present required post-mission data products (calibrated signal level plots, track analysis, link analysis comparisons, anomaly disposition) for Post Flight Data Reviews and Post Mission Summary Reviews (PMSR).
• Serve as primary Contractor point-of-contact for field operations and travel; coordinate resources and provide systems engineering support throughout project lifecycle.
• Contribute to Monthly Status Reports, Discrepancy Report tracking, risk identification, and Lessons Learned processes.
• Ensure configuration integrity, proper use of work control systems, and adherence to Quality Assurance and safety requirements during all operations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Aerospace Science, or closely related technical field from an accredited institution. Master’s degree (e.g., Space Studies) strongly preferred or in progress.

Required Skills and Knowledge:

• Minimum five (5) years of progressive experience in aerospace range operations, telemetry ground systems, mission engineering/support, or equivalent DoD/NASA flight test/range environment. Wallops or sounding rocket/launch range experience highly desirable.
• Demonstrated hands-on expertise with telemetry ground systems: steerable parabolic antennas, RF receiving/combining equipment, bit synchronizers, decommutators, telemetry processors, data recorders, and display systems.
• Proven experience performing RF link analysis, designing/implementing mission configurations and test plans/schematics for complex ground asset setups.
• Prior leadership experience in deployed/field environments (Site Lead or equivalent) with responsibility for technicians and mission execution at remote locations.
• Strong data analysis and visualization skills for generating post-mission products (signal level plots, track files, performance metrics). Proficiency with Microsoft Office, MATLAB, Python, or similar tools.
• Active U.S. Secret security clearance (or ability to obtain/maintain). U.S. citizenship required.
• Excellent written/oral communication skills; ability to interface professionally with scientists, engineers, range users, and Government customers.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively and deploy for extended periods (up to 12+ weeks) to remote/austere locations worldwide.

LOCATION SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS:

On-site at Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, VA. Hybrid work schedule may be approved. Frequent extended deployments to remote range sites (including Poker Flat Research Range, AK, and international locations) are required.

SECURITY CLEARANCE:

Must have ability to obtain and maintain a minimum Secret security clearance. Active Secret clearance preferred.

EEOE Including Vets and Disability

Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident