IVA Spacesuit Project Manager P3 – Space Systems

Join our dynamic team as an integral contributor supporting NASA on the JSC Engineering, Technology, and Science (JETS) II contract. This role immerses you in human spaceflight and deep space exploration, ensuring services meet and exceed standards. Collaborate with a passionate team at the forefront of innovation in the Survival and Thermal Systems section of the Engineering Department.

About the role

We seek a detail-oriented professional with a strong commitment to quality, thriving in diverse environments and communicating effectively at all organizational levels. Ideal candidates possess genuine curiosity, a desire for growth, and continuous learning. This position can be filled at any level within our professional career framework based on business needs.

International travel may be required. Possible straight-time overtime and a 9/80 work schedule (every other Friday off).

Responsibilities

• Lead all phases of IVA spacesuit development from concept through certification, production, and operational support.
• Manage project scope, cost, schedule, technical performance, and risk across multiple integrated workstreams.
• Direct multidisciplinary teams including systems, mechanical, electrical, materials, software, thermal, manufacturing, human factors, safety, quality, test, and mission operations engineering.
• Coordinate technical integration between IVA spacesuits and spacecraft systems, including crew interfaces, seats, environmental control systems, avionics, communications, and emergency systems.
• Ensure compliance with human-rating standards and customer requirements.
• Lead Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) and coordinate across internal organizations, suppliers, customers, and government agencies.
• Develop project execution plans, Integrated Master Schedules (IMS), budgets, and resource forecasts.
• Manage contract performance, subcontractors, Statements of Work (SOW), deliverables, and customer reporting.
• Lead risk identification, mitigation planning, and issue resolution.
• Support major design reviews including SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, FRR, and Certification Reviews.
• Present technical and program status to executive leadership and customers.
• Drive continuous improvement in program execution, technical performance, and team collaboration.
• Perform other duties as required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Minimum of 5-10 years of experience in the field or related area.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex aerospace development programs.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Experience integrating spacesuit systems with crewed spacecraft.
• Strong background in systems engineering principles and project execution.
• Experience managing government and/or commercial aerospace contracts.
• Proven ability to manage budgets, schedules, technical baselines, and program risk.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proof of U.S. Citizenship or US Permanent Residency.
• Must be able to complete a U.S. government background investigation.

Preferred Qualifications

• 15 years of experience supporting human-rated spaceflight programs.
• 10 years of experience supporting IVA spacesuit systems or spacesuit subsystems.
• Master's degree in Engineering, Systems Engineering, or Business Administration.
• Project Management Institute Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Experience supporting NASA Commercial Crew, Artemis, Orion, or other human spaceflight programs.
• Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE).
• Experience in many of the following areas:
  • IVA Spacesuits
  • Pressure Garment Systems
  • Crew Survival Equipment
  • Human-Rated Spacecraft Crew Interfaces
  • Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS)
  • Helmet Systems
  • Visor Assemblies
  • Gloves
  • Pressure Garments
  • Communications Systems
  • Thermal Protection
  • Restraint Systems
  • Human Factors Engineering
  • Crew Escape Systems
  • Crew Safety
  • Qualification Testing
  • Flight Certification
  • Systems Integration
  • Requirements Management
  • Verification and Validation
  • Configuration Management
  • Risk Management
  • Supplier Management

Leadership Competencies

• Technical leadership
• Strategic program management
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Executive communication
• Customer engagement
• Risk-based decision making
• Team development and mentoring
• Conflict resolution
• Continuous improvement

Preferred Industry Experience

• Human spaceflight
• Commercial crew programs
• Crewed spacecraft development
• Space suit development and production
• Government aerospace contracts
• Flight hardware development
• Aerospace manufacturing
• Systems integration and certification

Essential Functions

Work Environment: Generally an office environment, but may involve inside or outside work depending on the task.

Physical Requirements: Work may involve sitting or standing for extended periods (90% of time). May require lifting and carrying up to 25 lbs. (5% of time).

Equipment and Machines: Standard office equipment (PC, telephone, printer, etc.).

Attendance: Regular attendance in accordance with established work schedule is critical. Ability to work outside normal schedule and adjust to meet peak periods and surge requirements.

Other Essential Functions: Professional behavior that enhances productivity and promotes teamwork and cooperation. Grooming and dress must be appropriate for the position and must not impose a safety risk/hazard.