Platform OS and Client Software Integration Specialist (NASA’s Gateway Program) - Military veterans preferred

Title:

Platform OS and Client Software Integration Specialist (NASA’s Gateway Program)

Job Duties and Responsibilities

This position is in support of NASA Spaceflight Operations at the Johnson Space Center (JSC). Selectee will support the Exploration Software for Crew Operations (ESCO) Team, with primary assignment to the Gateway Portable Computer (GPC) System Mission Support Project as a client load integrator. Selectee will also provide backup to the existing Orion Portable Computing Device (PCD) Load Integrator as necessary.

The Gateway will be an outpost orbiting the Moon that provides vital support for a sustainable, long-term human return to the lunar surface, as well as a staging point for deep space exploration. It is a critical component of NASA’s Artemis program (https://www.nasa.gov/specials/artemis/) and is a vital part of NASA’s deep space exploration plans, along with the Space Launch System (https://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/sls/index.html) (SLS) rocket, the Orion (https://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/orion/index.html) spacecraft, and a human landing system that will send astronauts to the Moon. Gaining new experiences on and around the Moon will prepare NASA to send the first humans to Mars in the coming years, and the Gateway will play a vital role in this process. It is a destination for astronaut expeditions and science investigations, as well as a port for deep space transportation such as landers in route to the lunar surface or spacecraft embarking to destinations beyond the Moon.

The GPC will combine both vehicle insight and control, as well as, the mission support applications and crew psychological support applications necessary for crew to efficiently operate and live onboard the Gateway Outpost during lunar missions as part of the Artemis program.

Selectee will be responsible for setting up the processes, software, and systems necessary to produce virtualized client load images (Linux and/or Windows) for the GPC and associated ground test equipment. Selectee will participate in every aspect of the life cycle of these loads, including assessment, design, implementation, testing, production, and in-flight support. Candidate must be able to apply industry standard knowledge in a flexible manner to the unique space environment, which may be limited due to unusual hardware, lack of internet, and occasional lack of remote access.

Duties (to Include but not limited to):

Assess

• Generate assessment criteria and then perform assessments on hardware, software, and processes as requested
• Perform assessments and trade studies for specific operating systems, methods, etc. for use in accomplishing the goals

Design

• Create, coordinate, and document processes for use in creating, distributing, and managing client load images
• Participate in planning to procure required hardware and software necessary to accomplish the load image integration and configuration management
• Participate in the creation, coordination, documentation, and execution of processes for use in the Configuration Management (CM) of the load contents
• Assist in the generation of valid requirements for the GPC system and other Gateway and Vendor systems as necessary
• Coordinate confidential processes to receive crew personal content (eBooks, music files, etc.) for use while on deep space missions
• Implement all applicable (information Technology (IT) security requirements and best practices levied by the program and NASA

Procurement

• Research licensing options for software, including OS, etc. with vendors and provide recommendations based on overall supportability
• Develop, procure, and validate reliable license managing systems for server licenses for all ground and onboard server licenses
• Assist in building detailed procurement plans for test and production software associated with servers

Test

• Develop requirements in order to design and procure testing systems software and requirements
• Generate component and system testing requirements
• Design and perform component, interface, and stress testing
• Participate in integrated testing
• Assist stakeholders in designing and performing tests

Document

• Produce or provide inputs to test scripts used for testing of client and integrated server loads and functions
• Produce installation guides for other facility teams to correctly place images onto test/lab clients
• Write clearly understandable engineering inputs for operations procedures such as patching, reloading, and space-flight operations
• Generate thorough build records and version description documents using either manual or automated processes as required
• Generate discrepancy reports and change requests to document problems and feature requests

Produce

• Generate accurate scripts for loading and automating
• Capture pristine load images and patches for distribution and in-flight loading

Support

• Provide expert level support to engineering, training, simulation, and operations personnel during events as necessary, including real time operations possibly on nights and weekends during Gateway missions
• Perform detailed analysis of in-flight logs to diagnose complicated problems, including interface issues with other systems
• Provide support / advice to team members on proper configuration of labs and test beds for testing sessions
• Participate in operational procedure validations

Development

• Mentor and train new team members and interns

Qualifications and Skills:

Required Experience / Skills:

• An accredited degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, other related Engineering fields, Physics, Math, Mission Information Systems (MIS) or equivalent experience
• Minimum of 5 years of related experience
• Strong experience in configuring Windows client OS
• Experience implementing IT Security practices
• Familiarity with using and designing load image capture and deployment methods
• Experience in remote administration of server environments, including patching and reloading
• Experience in configuring virtualization systems
• Experience in applying software configuration management practices to ensure high quality products throughout the Software Development Life Cycle
• Experience configuring and using software based configuration management systems
• Experience creating custom deploy scripts / batch files
• Strong background in software testing
• Experience creating process documentation
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office applications

Desired Experience/Skills:

• Practical knowledge in the deployment of Linux and Microsoft Operating Systems (OS)
• Experience in using log analysis tools such as Splunk / LogRhythm for log file analysis and problem resolution
• Experience with Agile Development desired
• ISS, Shuttle, or Orion experience is desired
• Familiarity in applying NASA IT Security NASA Procedure Requirements (NPRs) or NIST 800.53 in a production environment

The ideal candidate must be passionate about the application of Information Technology (IT) to spaceflight and be a strong advocate for the crew user. Must be team-focused and able to adapt quickly to a highly collaborative efforts across multiple organizations. Candidate must be able to apply technical knowledge and operational concepts to make effective decisions. Candidate should be a self-starter capable of excelling in a dynamic environment that requires him/her to work effectively both alone or as part of a team. Past experience integrating across multiple areas, leading teams, negotiating win-win solutions, working well in the team environment, and customer service is required. Attention to detail, excellent organizational skills, and strict adherence to deadlines is required along with the ability to successfully work/negotiate on a daily basis with multiple customers. This position requires excellent verbal and written communication skills. The candidate must also be able to effectively communicate and understand complex technical and operational issues. On occasion, the position may require work on nights, weekends, and holidays. A limited amount of travel may also be required.

In compliance with the U.S. federal government’s vaccine mandate, only candidates who will be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by December 8, 2021 or who have a reasonable accommodation or approved medical exception will be considered for this position.

KBR is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

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