Spaceflight Experiment and Operations Lead

Description

Job Description:

Leidos is hiring a Spaceflight Operations and Experiment Lead under the Research, Engineering, Mission Integration Services (REMIS) Program to support research missions aboard the International Space Station (ISS) in conjunction with NASA. As the Experiment Lead, the individual will work with mission teams during the experiment development and execution phase to ensure experiment objectives are met for projects involving KeRMIT (Keyenence Microscope), BioMole (minION PCR), or other future task order projects.  The Experiment Lead will manage the overall experiment, schedule, tasks and will help principal investigators define, develop, and implement their research in space.  The Experiment will act as a liaison between the investigators (or their representatives) and Payload interfaces to represent their scientific concerns to various groups within NASA, and will help ensure that flight and ground hardware kits, crew procedures, planned ground and inflight activities, and crew training crew result in successful science return.  As an Operations Lead during the execution phase, the individual will be the primary point of contact with the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) Payload Operations Director (POD)/Operations Controller (OC)/Subject Matter Expert (SME) Team and will lead the REMIS console team during real-time International Space Station (ISS) research activities. An Operations Lead is responsible for coordinating and overseeing all of the experiment/mission specific pre-flight preparation, and research operations conducted on the ISS. Some shift work is required for this position as an Operations Lead. Other tasks may be assigned as needed, including on contract growth, and new business activities.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Proactive schedule and technical risk management for all aspects of console operations support.
• Serve as a liaison/advocate between KeRMIT/BioMole/other experiment principal investigators (PI) or their representatives and project teams, responsible for maintaining PI awareness of schedules and implementation issues, which require their attention and participation.
• Provide project management leadership to manage KeRMIT/BioMole/other experiment related tasks and ensure they are completed per schedule to meet milestones.
• Manage the KeRMIT/BioMole/other experiment teams within budget and on schedule.
• Manage all aspects of KeRMIT/BioMole/other experiment readiness including flight and ground approvals (as needed), hardware readiness, crew training (as needed), operational readiness (procedures, timelines, manifests, etc.), ground operations logistics (if any), safety, and Certification of Flight Readiness.
• Assess impacts to external stakeholders and coordination plans for KeRMIT/BioMole/other experiment risk mitigation/strategy
• Proactive schedule and technical risk management for all aspects of KeRMIT/BioMole/other experiment support
• Adhere to appropriate safety, quality, and environmental practice, as well as business ethics practices
• Develop and demonstrate the interpersonal skills required to maintain productive working relationships with co-workers, management, and the customer.
• Perform primary Payload Integration Manager (PIM) function for KeRMIT, BioMole and other potential future Task Orders as needed
• Support real-time console activities as the primary interface between the REMIS console team and the Payload Operation Director (POD) / Specialist Team for various console activities
• Oversees the preparation and maintenance of all operations products (e.g., crew procedures, activity models) required to prepare for real-time operations.
• Plans, develops, and executes tabletop and console simulations for console support training.
• Assesses ground support personnel performance as part of console support training.
• Reviews Operations Change Requests (OCRs) to implement real-time changes to mission execution.
• Maintains cognizance of Payload Operation Data File (PODF) changes, Flight Rules, etc. as they apply to experiments.
• Reviews all mission planning products (such as On Orbit Summary and weekly timelines among other execution products), and approves replan inputs.
• Leads the contractor real-time support team in the Leidos Operations Center (LOC) which may consist of the communicator, science support personnel, hardware engineers, and principal investigator/sponsor teams.
• Monitors REMIS science activities on console and works with console team to ensure science objectives are completed, coordinates troubleshooting activities if necessary, and works replan efforts.
• May occasionally be required to travel to other NASA-affiliated sites across the U.S. in support of mission-related coordination activities (e.g., POIWG).
• Personnel may be exposed to live animals, animal dander, sharp medical supplies, steam and hot water, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and other hazards associated with biological or physical science research.

Basic Qualifications:

• B.S. degree in Science or Engineering and 4-8 years of prior relevant experience, or Masters with 2- 6 years of prior relevant experience.
• Ability to manage complex situations in real time
• Demonstrated leadership ability, excellent oral/written communication & problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and problem-solving skills
• Previous experience in a team environment and ability to multitask, attention to detail, critical thinking, and adaptability are essential. 
• Previous experience in project management.
• Familiarity with NASA project development and flight/ payload operations processes
• Familiarity with real time console operations (as console operator or team lead for console operators)
• Microsoft Office (e.g., Word, Excel, Power Point) skills/competence
• Microsoft Project skills/competence
• Willing to work non-standard work hours
• Willing to travel (approximately 10% of time)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in process improvement activities
• Advanced degree
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
• Experience with Systems Engineering principles
• Prior experience in animal research, PCR hardware, and/or digital microscopy
• Familiarity with standard laboratory equipment and practices, and/or prior experience working in a laboratory environment
• Experience with firm fix price contracts
• Experience performing PIM function

Pay Range:

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

About Leidos

Leidos is a Fortune 500® technology, engineering, and science solutions and services leader working to solve the world’s toughest challenges in the defense, intelligence, civil, and health markets. The company’s 45,000 employees support vital missions for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $14.4 billion for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2022.  For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available here.

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Commitment to Diversity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.