Instrument Systems Engineer

Cooperative Education; Fairfax (VA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

George Mason University is seeking an Instrument Systems Engineer sponsored by the NASA Landolt mission in Fairfax, Virginia. The role involves contributing to all instrument development aspects and collaborating across interdisciplinary teams to deliver robust space systems.

Responsibilities include system integration, data collection and analysis, and rigorous documentation for NASA reviews, with a strong emphasis on safety, inclusion, and teamwork within a diverse project environment.

Qualifications

• PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical or Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field.
• Knowledge of NASA procedures and practices.
• Knowledge of space system development, integration, and testing.

Responsibilities

• Contributes to NASA Landolt Mission lifecycle planning and execution.
• Co-manage daily operations and resource utilization for the mission.
• Develop, integrate, and test structural, embedded, electronic, and software components for flight hardware.
• Lead documentation, reporting, and reviews to NASA standards and guidelines.

Skills

NASA procedures and practices

Space systems development and testing

Education

PhD in Aerospace/Electrical/Computer/Systems Eng

Job description

Department: College of Science

Classification: Research Staff 12-month

Job Category:Research Staff

Job Type:Full-Time

Work Schedule:Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location:Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type:Hybrid Eligible

Sponsorship Eligibility:Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Salary:Salary commensurate with education and experience

Restricted:Yes

Criminal Background Check:Yes

About the Department:

George Mason University, a Carnegie Research I institution, is Virginia’s largest and most diverse university with more than 38,000 students. Located in Fairfax, Virginia, Mason is part of the Washington DC metropolitan area offering easy access to the scientific and political resources of the nation’s capital.

George Mason University is committed to advancing inclusion, access, and equal opportunity throughout our community. We believe that a broad range of voices, cultures, and perspectives brings vibrancy, innovation, and growth to an academic community.

The Landolt Mission team is responsible for developing and executing a NASA space-based mission through coordinated work across science, payload, spacecraft bus, software, systems engineering, integration and test, mission assurance, and project management functions. The unit provides an interdisciplinary research and training environment for faculty, postdoctoral researchers, engineers, staff, and students working collaboratively with federal, academic, commercial, and other external partners.

The Landolt Mission team supports mission formulation, systems engineering, subsystem coordination, technical trade studies, requirements development, verification and validation planning, assembly, integration and testing, technical documentation, mission reviews, and mission operations planning. The unit works collaboratively across payload, spacecraft bus, software, ground systems, mission operations, science, and programmatic interfaces to advance mission objectives and meet NASA requirements.

Statement on Building an Inclusive Culture: George Mason University's College of Science (Mason Science) is committed to advancing inclusive excellence and fostering an environment free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation throughout our STEM community. At Mason Science, our values include cultivating an organizational culture that promotes belonging, respect, and civility. We believe that varied opinions, cultures, and perspectives are what provides vibrancy, innovation, and growth to an academic community. By prioritizing cultural responsiveness in academics, teaching, research, and global engagement, we strive to attract faculty and staff who exemplify the Mason Science mission and vision.

About the Position:

The Instrument Systems Engineer is sponsored by the NASA Landolt mission. The duties include (at a different level of involvement and responsibility):

• Contributes to all aspects of payload instrument design and development including mechanical, electrical, software, procedural, and regulatory compliance as a member of the instrument team.
• Participates in the assembly, integration, and testing of components, modules, and fully integrated instruments, ensuring seamless integration with the satellite bus.
• Runs data collection, analysis, and simulation studies to define the instrument performance.Develops procedures and techniques to process data from the space-based Landolt Mission instrument, while continuously enhancing its performance.
• Documents activities for the Landolt Mission through mission reviews, reports, documentation, and technical publications in a manner consistent with space-based projects and published results in professional scientific journals.
• Collaborates effectively within a diverse, multi-institutional team environment comprising scientists, engineers, students, project managers, and support staff across federal, academic, and commercial partners.
• Fosters a culture of engagement, diversity, inclusiveness, excellence, and innovation. Champions George Mason University's commitment to Access, Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion to create an inclusive and welcoming environment that promotes a commitment to safety, integrity, and teamwork.

Responsibilities:

Executes NASA Landolt Mission throughout its Lifecycle:

• Work closely with mission leadership; and
• Co-manage daily operations and resource utilization.

Instrument Systems Development:

• Develop, integrate, and test structural, embedded, electronic, and software components for engineering demonstration units, mockups, test stations, and flight hardware;
• Carry out system assembly and integration;
• Comply with NASA space system requirements and procedures; and
• Execute system testing and characterize system components and subsystems.

Reporting:

• Co-lead writing and production of formal technical reports, progress reports, and reviews for NASA (e.g., CSR, SRR, MDR, PDR, CDR, FRR, ORR) in a manner consistent with NASA’s documentation requirements, standards, and guidelines (e.g., NPR 7120.5/8);
• Write papers for professional journals and conferences;
• Attend meetings with sponsors, collaborators, and partners across federal, commercial, and academic sectors, with occasional travel outside the DC metropolitan area as required; and
• Assist in the pursuit of new and continued Mason Space Center projects and funding support (e.g., new and extended missions/projects).

Required Qualifications:

• PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical or Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field;
• Knowledge of NASA procedures and practices; and
• Knowledge of space system development, integration, and testing.

Preferred Qualifications:

• MS/PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical or Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering or related field with an emphasis on space systems development;
• Experience with space hardware, electronics, embedded system development, and NASA procedures and practices;
• Additional experience in CAD structural design for mechanical components, electronic prototyping, and Python programming would be beneficial;
• Experience with embedded system development, particularly programming MSP430 microcontrollers in C is preferred;
• Experience in the design, development, and testing of space instruments, payloads, and electronic systems;
• Possess a solid foundation in optics, hardware, electronics, and embedded software for space applications, along with proficiency in Linux; and
• Strong programming skills in Python and C are desired.

Posting Open Date: October 23, 2026

For Full Consideration, Apply by: November 6, 2026

Open Until Filled:Yes