Chief Staff Engineer IV (Part Time)

Columbus Technologies and Services; Greenbelt (MD); On-site; USD 110,000 - 152,000; Full time

Job summary

Columbus Technologies and Services is seeking a Systems Engineer to support NASA's ESDIS project in the United States. The role emphasizes development, capture, analysis, and documentation of lessons learned across mission activities, collaborating with ESDIS teams, DAACs, and SIPS to improve future missions.

You will evaluate experiences, identify recurring issues and best practices, and translate them into actionable recommendations for missions and ESDIS activities, with strong emphasis on

Qualifications

• Requires systems engineering experience on complex technical systems.
• Experience developing, capturing, analyzing, and documenting lessons learned.
• Strong requirements development and system integration knowledge.
• Ability to perform root-cause analysis and process improvements.
• Experience analyzing mission activities to produce actionable recommendations.
• Experience evaluating system interfaces, risks, and dependencies.
• Experience facilitating interviews, workshops, and stakeholder discussions.
• Strong technical writing and presentation skills.
• Effective communication with engineers, scientists, PMs and operations.
• Familiarity with NASA lifecycle processes is desirable.

Responsibilities

• The Systems Engineer will provide additional systems engineering support to NASA's Earth Science Data and Information System (ESDIS) Project, focusing on development, capture, analysis, and documentation of lessons learned across mission and project activities.
• Work with ESDIS personnel, DAACs, SIPS, and stakeholders to identify lessons learned throughout the mission lifecycle.
• Evaluate experiences, identify recurring issues and successful practices, and develop actionable recommendations for future missions and ESDIS activities.

Skills

Systems engineering

Lessons learned

Requirements development

Root-cause analysis

Technical writing

Stakeholder communication

Risk assessment

System integration

Mission lifecycle

Data systems knowledge

Job description

OVERVIEW

Must be a US Citizen

Estimated Duration: Ongoing

W2 Position with full benefits

The US base salary range for this full-time position is $80-110/hr + benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Systems Engineer will provide additional systems engineering support to NASA's Earth Science Data and Information System (ESDIS) Project, with a primary focus on the development, capture, analysis, and documentation of lessons learned across mission and project activities.

ESDIS manages the science systems associated with NASA's Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS), supporting the processing, management, archive, and distribution of Earth science data from satellite missions, airborne and in situ observations, field campaigns, and derived science products.

The selected Systems Engineer will work with ESDIS project personnel, technical teams, mission stakeholders, Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAACs), Science Investigator-led Processing Systems (SIPS), and other stakeholders to identify lessons learned throughout the mission lifecycle. The engineer will evaluate technical and programmatic experiences, identify recurring issues and successful practices, and develop actionable recommendations that can be applied to future missions and ESDIS activities.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Systems engineering experience supporting complex technical systems, programs, or missions.
• Experience with lessons learned development, capture, analysis, and documentation.
• Strong knowledge of requirements development, system integration, verification and validation, and technical review processes.
• Ability to conduct root-cause analysis and identify technical, operational, and process improvement opportunities.
• Experience analyzing mission/project activities and developing actionable recommendations for future missions.
• Ability to evaluate system interfaces, dependencies, risks, and integration challenges across multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience facilitating technical interviews, lessons-learned sessions, workshops, and stakeholder discussions.
• Strong technical writing and documentation skills, including preparation of reports, assessments, recommendations, and presentations.
• Ability to communicate effectively with engineers, scientists, project managers, operations personnel, and senior stakeholders.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to review and analyze requirements, technical documentation, project artifacts, risks, anomalies, and mission data.
• Ability to work independently while coordinating across multiple technical organizations and stakeholders.
• Knowledge of NASA systems engineering and mission lifecycle processes is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with Earth science data systems, ground systems, science data processing, EOSDIS/ESDIS, DAACs, or SIPS is preferred.

DESIRED SKILLS

• Experience supporting NASA missions, programs, or projects, preferably within Earth Science.
• Familiarity with NASA ESDIS/EOSDIS, including DAACs, SIPS, and science data systems.
• Knowledge of NASA systems engineering processes, standards, and mission lifecycle reviews.
• Experience conducting lessons-learned activities, post-project assessments, or technical retrospectives.
• Experience with root-cause analysis, risk assessment, and continuous process improvement.
• Understanding of science data processing, archive, distribution, ground systems, and mission operations.
• Experience working across multidisciplinary and multi-organizational teams.
• Ability to identify trends, recurring issues, best practices, and opportunities for process improvement.
• Experience developing and presenting technical briefings and recommendations to NASA/project leadership.
• Strong facilitation and stakeholder engagement skills, particularly when conducting interviews, workshops, and lessons-learned sessions.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action

Columbus is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, marital status, age, national origin, veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. As a federal contractor, Columbus participates in the E-Verify Program to confirm eligibility to work in the United States.