Chief Engineer, Exploration Ground Systems

Chief Engineer, Exploration Ground Systems

Department: National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Location(s): Kennedy Space Center, Florida

Salary Range: $150160 - $215180 Per Year

Job Summary: The Chief Engineer (CE) for Exploration Ground Systems (EGS) Program provides engineering expertise, Engineering Technical Authority (ETA), and technical advice to Agency management regarding launch systems development and launch vehicle/spacecraft processing for Artemis launch systems and spacecraft, including Space Launch System (SLS), Orion, and launch systems/infrastructure unique to other Government users and commercial launch providers as they pertain to the exploration grounds systems.

Major Duties:

• The Chief Engineer (CE) for the Exploration Ground Systems (EGS) Program reports to KSC's Engineering Director. The Chief Engineer, Exploration Ground Systems: Defines operational requirements and researches, develops, performs analyses of, integrates, and evaluates aerospace and aeronautical flight systems, vehicles, payloads, and ground support systems as a part of the development of some or all aspects of flight systems or projects. Directs the technical activities within the Engineering organization and supporting stakeholders. The EGS CE integrates the activities of Artemis ground systems development and operational input to design of flight systems, including Orion and the Space Launch System, as well as activities with contractors performing engineering, development, and operations at KSC. Responsible for the technical excellence and implementation of ETA that utilizes Agency-wide engineering capability to address Artemis ground processing issues. Leads the EGS engineering team comprised of civil servants and contractors (system managers, subsystem managers, system engineers, project engineers, software developers, and analysts) in the generation of options and balanced technical recommendations to resolve technical issues and brings them forward to management for resolution. Communicates/elevates issues and resolution plans to Engineering Directorate management, NASA Office of the Chief Engineer, and EGS Program Management. Leads and manages multi-discipline technical teams to resolve complex technical problems, implements the ETA process formal dissents are heard and properly addressed in accordance with Agency guidelines and the KSC Technical Authority Implementation Plan. Serves as the Engineering Directorate technical representative to the EGS Program, responsible for defining Artemis operational ground requirements, performing analyses, integrating, and evaluating flight systems, vehicles, payloads, and ground support systems to ensure EGS readiness for Artemis (EGS, SLS, and Orion) ground operations, launch, and post launch activities. Responsible for evaluating technical issues and requirements and for providing the optimal technical solutions or alternatives for to meet Artemis milestones and Agency goals. Serves as a member of the KSC Senior Management Team.

Qualifications: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Candidates must be a recognized subject matter expert with at least 1 year of directly related experience equivalent to the GS-15 level in technical engineering management that includes the design and development of human-rated space flight projects and ground operations. Also experience in performing independent in-depth technical assessments, analyses, and producing technical engineering solutions. Your resume must include a clear and detailed narrative description, in your own words, of how you meet the required specialized experience. Experience statements copied from a position description, vacancy announcement, or other reference material constitutes plagiarism and may result in disqualification and losing consideration for the position. NASA strictly prohibits the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or AI-assisted tools to draft application or assessment responses. For more information, please refer to NASA's guidance: https://www.nasa.gov/careers/how-to-apply/#Artificial-Intelligence To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, your resume must also address each of the Senior Level (SL) Evaluation Criteria listed below. Failure to address these criteria will result in your application being rated ineligible. For the full definition of the SL Evaluation Criteria please visit https://www.nasa.gov/careers/executiveleadership/. Please include your full name on all documents submitted. SL EVALUATION CRITERIA: 1. Technical Excellence and Contributions Experience/Accomplishments Technical and Strategic Problem Solving Information Transfer 2. Corporate Cooperation and Technical Leadership Skills

How to Apply: To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section and submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application. Follow the prompts to select your resume to be included with your application package. Your uploaded resume may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the "Include Personal Information" section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process. You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. It is applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and uploaded, (i.e., resume) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account, all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status. Faxed, emailed, and/or mailed application materials will not be accepted for this announcement. NASA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you are an applicant with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency contact center listed on the job vacancy announcement. The decision on granting reasonable accommodations will be on a case-by-case basis.

Application Deadline: 2025-12-31