Xeva Integrated Test & Facilities – Test Lead - Integrated Testing and Facilities

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.

Building on The Aerospace Corporation's reputation as a trusted, impartial advisor with integrity and dedication to mission success, the Civil Systems Group (CSG) combines deep technical expertise with market-leading innovation to help our customers solve complex systems engineering and integration challenges. CSG is organized by core customer-facing lines of business to manage and grow programs within NASA, NOAA, and the NNSA, while extending our capabilities to other civilian federal government agencies fully integrated within Aerospace rules, regulations, processes, values, and behaviors.  

The Integrated Testing and Facilities (ITF) team within the Exploration Extravehicular Activity (xEVA) leads program integration to conduct multi-disciplinary, cost-effective, and targeted testing, enabling effective project and program development, and ultimately allowing safe and successful performance of EVAs. The ITF's primary role is to ensure the proper preparation, coordination, and execution of development and verification/validation testing. The ITF team provides a service across Artemis and external programs, projects, and other stakeholders who have needs for facilities/resources funded by Artemis and xEVA. The ITF team works with facility owners to mature facilities to meet the evolving testing scope required to prepare for Artemis missions. 

Work Model 

This is a full-time position based in Houston, TX, at Johnson Space Center, offering a Hybrid work model that requires 4 regular onsite workdays and remote flexibility as the business needs allow. 

What You’ll Be Doing 

• Provide programmatic and integrated test team oversight, ensuring the overall success of the test. 

• Ensure tests align with Artemis and xEVA priorities and the approved scope requested by the sponsoring organization. For V&V testing, ensure test plan and procedures address relevant requirements. 

• Supervise test planning, oversee test execution, and manage post-test reporting. For cross-program testing, collaborate with other program’s test planning personnel. 

• Form test teams for each test series, including the test requestor, SMEs from stakeholder organizations, hardware experts, facility representatives, and others as dictated by the specifics of the test, including NASA commercial services providers. 

• Assign test product development and test execution roles to members of the test team while retaining accountability. 

• Coordinate support from hardware and facility teams and ensure requested resources meet customer needs and are ready for use. 

• Prepare and execute the Test Readiness Review (TRR), coordinating with the Test Director (TD) or facility representative to schedule the TRR and identify required board members. 

• Manage the development of test documentation products, lead the TRR presentation to the board, and ensure action closure. 

• Track progress of test planning and execution, providing updates to EHP. 

• Provide test updates to the Integrated Test Team (ITT) Working Group (WG) and ITF Panel and communicate significant issues to sponsoring organizations and xEVA management. 

• Create, baseline, and own the test series schedule, including product milestones, preparation, test subject training, test events, and reporting. 

• Manage test constraints, risks, issues, and their mitigations. 

• Oversee test execution and manage test observers and access. 

• Ensure test subjects understand test objectives, their roles, and expectations for supporting the test. 

• Provide daily test status updates during test execution and notify xEVA management of issues. 

• Generate and coordinate team inputs of lessons learned, provide Quick Look presentations to the ITF Panel, and ensure successful documentation of test configuration, protocol, and data analysis products in the test report. 

• Approve readiness of post-test analysis, lessons learned, and the final test report for release, ensuring test report export control review, DQA, and incorporation as an xEVA managed product. 

What You Need to be Successful 

Minimum Requirements: 

• Experience with V&V test planning and execution, preferably in a variety of facilities/environments. 

• 8 years or more of relevant work experience  

• Experience with flight hardware certification. 

• Proven experience managing teams. 

• Excellent communication skills. 

• Experience with negotiating and resolving issues and disagreements. 

• Familiarity with the NASA Certificate of Flight Readiness (CoFR) process. 

• Intermediate level of Project Management. 

How You Can Stand Out: 

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these: 

• Advanced degree in engineering, science, or other applicable STEM areas. 

• Extensive experience performing or leading V&V activities for NASA missions. 

• Knowledge of lunar surface systems, including spacesuits and landers. 

• Strong foundation in test planning, execution, and reporting for space systems. 

• Experience with the integration and coordination of international partners and commercial vendors. 

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. 

We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business.  The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below.  Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills.

(Min - Max)

$131,400.00 - $197,000.00Pay Basis: Annual

Leadership Competencies

Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who:

• Operate Strategically
• Lead Change   
• Engage with Impact   
• Foster Innovation   
• Deliver Results  

Ways We Reward Our Employees

During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits.

Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type.  A few highlights include:

• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans

• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation

• Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options

• 401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire

• Flexible spending accounts

• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions

• Relocation assistance

• Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career

• Education assistance programs

• An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect

We are all unique, from various backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.

Equal Opportunity Commitment

The Aerospace Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at [email protected] . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.