Section Manager, Mechanical Design for Space Exploration Applications

About the role

We are currently in need of a Mechanical Design Section Manager to join our team. The position reports directly to the Design and Analysis Group Manager and is responsible for the direct management of approximately 40 people involved in various aspects of Mechanical System Development across and in support of several NASA Engineering Divisions.

Responsibilities

• Ensure employees in functional areas follow established procedures and generate finished work products under time and budgetary constraints and ensures products yield the expected outcome and established quality levels.
• Rely on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals.
• Ensure Project Managers have adequate Mechanical design personnel to accomplish associated tasks.
• Conduct meetings with Project Managers to provide status and obtain feedback.
• Perform routine mechanical design reviews for cost, schedule, risk management, and deliverable adherence.
• Conduct oversight, mentorship and guidance to individual mechanical design task leads.
• Work with mechanical design task leads to track and maintain efficient task performance.
• Maintain an active list of lessons learned to actively inform section members.
• Conduct failure investigations on mechanical systems as required.
• Perform routine mechanical design reviews for cost, schedule, risk management, and deliverable adherence.
• Conduct oversight, mentorship and guidance to individual mechanical design task leads.
• Work with mechanical design task leads to track and maintain efficient task performance.
• Maintain an active list of lessons learned to actively inform section members.
• Conduct failure investigations on mechanical systems as required.
• Communicate design status to senior management.
• Conduct periodic section meetings to review personnel work safety.
• Conduct periodic face to face meetings with employees to obtain status, ensure efficiency and provide solutions where needed.
• Review and approve employee time cards, overtime requests and travel.
• Review resource requests and conduct interviews to identify and attain necessary personnel.
• Document and perform personnel performance evaluation reviews.
• Generate award nominations for associated personnel.
• Establish and monitor personnel training plan.
• Work with colleagues to coordinate issue resolution across multiple JETS organizations which could include source limitations, technical challenges, process breakdowns, etc.
• Establish a framework and oversight for technical correctness on all work performed by section.
• Understand and be capable of generating comprehensive design concepts based on a given set of requirements.
• Provide rough orders of magnitude (ROM's) and basis of estimates (BOE's) for project and tasks.
• Review, develop or update Mechanical Design and Development processes as required.
• Perform other duties as required.

Requirements

• This position has been posted at multiple levels. Depending on the candidate's experience, requirements and business needs, we reserve the right to consider candidates at any level for which this position has been advertised.
• Typically requires a minimum of a bachelor's degree in Engineering and may be expected to have a related masters degree and normally possess 10-15 years of related experience.
• Experience with ASME Y14.5 Dimensioning and Tolerancing Standards.
• Experience with ASME Y14.100 Engineering Drawing Practices Standards.
• Experience with tolerance stackup analysis.
• Familiarity with mechanisms design.
• Familiarity with electronics packaging and cabling.
• Previous project management experience required.
• Must be able to perform management duties associated with approximately 40 people.
• Familiarity with NASA Work Instruction EA-023, JSC Policy Directive 7120 (Class 1E), along with flight hardware certification and other flight hardware processes.
• Excellent oral and written communication and organizational skills with the ability to work in a team environment and a history of effectively interacting with senior managers at all levels.
• Experience planning and establishing work priorities.
• Proficient in MS Office programs, particularly MS Project, Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Outlook.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience with NASA/JSC Mechanical flight intravehicular and extravehicular hardware development processes.
• BS degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• Prior experience using solid modeling CAD software including PTC CREO or Pro Engineering.
• Familiarization with JSC Engineering Drawing System Manual (JPR 8500).
• Familiarization with JSC Fabrication Tolerances and Practices (SKZ36103755).
• Familiarity with mechanical design for EMI/EMC and electrical bonding methods.
• Familiarity with mechanical design for fluid and pressure systems.
• Familiarity with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) programs.
• Prior experience with CREO simulation tools.
• Understanding of surface finishes and material selection.
• Exposure to Pro/CABLING.
• Prior experience designing.

Skills

• Experience with ASME Y14.5 Dimensioning and Tolerancing Standards.
• Experience with ASME Y14.100 Engineering Drawing Practices Standards.
• Experience with tolerance stackup analysis.
• Familiarity with mechanisms design.
• Familiarity with electronics packaging and cabling.
• Previous project management experience.
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• Excellent oral and written communication and organizational skills.
• Experience planning and establishing work priorities.
• Proficient in MS Office programs, particularly MS Project, Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Outlook.
• Prior experience using solid modeling CAD software including PTC CREO or Pro Engineering.
• Familiarization with JSC Engineering Drawing System Manual (JPR 8500).
• Familiarization with JSC Fabrication Tolerances and Practices (SKZ36103755).
• Familiarity with mechanical design for EMI/EMC and electrical bonding methods.
• Familiarity with mechanical design for fluid and pressure systems.
• Familiarity with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) programs.
• Prior experience with CREO simulation tools.
• Understanding of surface finishes and material selection.
• Exposure to Pro/CABLING.
• Prior experience designing.

Benefits

• Excellent personal and professional career growth.
• 9/80 work schedule (every other Friday off), when applicable.
• Onsite cafeteria (breakfast & lunch).
• Comprehensive Benefit Package (medical, dental & vision).
• 401(k) matching.
• Tuition Reimbursement.
• Many, many more!

Why Work for Us?

• In addition to exciting career opportunities we also have:
• Excellent personal and professional career growth.
• 9/80 work schedule (every other Friday off), when applicable.
• Onsite cafeteria (breakfast & lunch).
• Comprehensive Benefit Package (medical, dental & vision).
• 401(k) matching.
• Tuition Reimbursement.
• Many, many more!

Compensation Details

The compensation range or hourly rate listed for this position is provided as a good-faith estimate of what the company intends to offer for this role at the time this posting was issued. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as job responsibilities, education, experience, skills, internal equity, market data, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and relevant laws.

Benefits Overview

• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid time off and holidays.
• Retirement benefits (including 401(k) matching).
• Education reimbursement.
• Parental leave.
• Retirement benefits (including 401(k) matching).
• Tuition Reimbursement.
• Many, many more!

Essential Functions

• Generally an office environment, but can involve inside or outside work depending on task.
• Sitting or standing for extended periods (90% of time).
• Lifting and carrying up to 25 lbs (5% of time).
• Standard office equipment (PC, telephone, printer, etc.).
• Absenteeism is generally not permitted.
• Attendance in accordance with established work schedule is critical.
• Ability to work outside normal schedule and adjust schedule to meet peak periods and surge requirements when required.

Physical Requirements

• Sitting or standing for extended periods (90% of time).
• Lifting and carrying up to 25 lbs (5% of time).
• Standard office equipment (PC, telephone, printer, etc.).
• Absenteeism is generally not permitted.
• Attendance in accordance with established work schedule is critical.
• Ability to work outside normal schedule and adjust schedule to meet peak periods and surge requirements when required.