Testing Systems Engineering

ASCEND Aerospace & Technology, LLC (ASCEND) is an All-Small Mentor-Protégé Program (ASMPP) Joint Venture (JV) between Aerodyne Industries, LLC and Amentum Technology Inc., that leverages our 12+ year collaboration as award-winning NASA contractors. With this foundation of expertise, we are dedicated to helping every mission succeed—today and into the future. The Contract for Organizing Spaceflight Mission Operations and Systems (COSMOS), NASA’s next-generation mission operations contract, has an excellent opportunity for a System Test Engineer to join the team of testers responsible for testing the software releases used in NASA Johnson Space Center’s Mission Control Center (MCC). The MCC System Test teams are responsible for testing at a system level, testing custom software, and changes to computing infrastructure (data centers, networks, firewalls, and other specialty equipment). The applicant will work in a dynamic team environment and will be responsible for working with the NASA customer, users, software engineers, and commercial and international partners to capture and understand system requirements, operations concepts, and develop test plans and procedures for execution. Travel required 1–2 times per year, typically lasting several days per trip. COSMOS ensures the continuity of critical human spaceflight support by providing mission control services, advanced training systems, and full-scale spacecraft mockups for astronaut preparation and engineering analysis.
The System Test Engineer is responsible for working in a dynamic team environment and will be responsible for working with the NASA customer, other systems engineers, users, and software engineers to test the baseline software utilized in the MCC. The candidate will perform procedure and document reviews, as well as, participate in the decomposition of system architecture requirements and development of test procedures to verify those requirements, and plan test objectives for test runs. The candidate should have a good understanding of the full software development life cycle from planning, design, building, testing, deployment and maintenance.
Execute test procedures, and documenting actual test results against expected results
Perform systems requirements analysis, functional analysis, timeline analysis, requirements allocation,
Perform testing of MCCS facilities, environments, and subsystems that support all programs and vehicles, including, but not limited to ISS, SpaceX, CST-100, Orion, SLS, ICPS, and HLS
Review and contribute to MCCS Level A & B requirements, CRs, designs, documentation and other implementation artifacts
Document test run results (i.e. generate Test Status Reports)
Participate in peer reviews of test products to ensure quality results (Quality assurance)
Possess strong team-building skills across multi-functional areas that establish a collaborative operational structure including active listening, prompt service and follow-up
Bachelor’s/Master’s degree and 2 to 5 years of general experience.
Preferred candidates will hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, MIS, Math or other related area, plus 0 – 2 years of direct experience related to space flight operations, control center operations and/or ground or space network operations. Telemetry, command or trajectory data systems
Large network data transport systems
International Space Station communication systems
Progressive related experience in space flight network or control center operations is acceptable
Be highly motivated, willing to learn and apply new concepts, tools, and software
Be able to work independently with minimal supervision and professionally represent the program
Be able to work a flexible and dynamic work schedule
Test events occasionally scheduled for night and weekend shifts due to availability of MCCS and/or lab resources

Must be able to obtain a NASA Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Badge for NASA credentials
The individual should possess strong initiative, be a team player (teamwork), be flexible to changing program needs, and possess strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills. The job requires close communication and collaboration with other engineers, the software development community and members of the user community to successfully perform analysis and test preparation. The successful candidate will be a self-learner, curious and familiar with SW engineering; To be successful, the candidate shall have the ability to work towards deadlines and deliver quality products.
Experience with Office 365 Tools
Knowledge of current and upcoming US manned space vehicles (such as International Space Station, Boeing Starliner, Lockheed Martin Orion, SpaceX Dragon, Human Landing System, etc) communication systems, radios, computers, video, voice systems, satellite systems, and antennas
Familiarity with MCCS COMM, voice, and/or video subsystems highly desirable
Previous experience with automation, Linux, Git, and Python
Familiarity with scripting languages and tools
Familiarity with ServiceNow
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or other legally protected status .
We also consider internal equity, prevailing market data, and specific contractual or funding requirements to ensure competitive and equitable offer alignment.