NASA Moon Base Flight Software and Cybersecurity Systems Engineer

CACI International Inc; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 76,000 - 156,000; Full time

Job summary

CACI International Inc. is seeking an experienced Flight Software Systems Engineer to support NASA Moon Base software development at Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX.

The role covers full software life cycle with emphasis on cybersecurity and risk mitigation, requiring clear communication and collaboration with NASA and prime contractors. Ideal candidates have strong software engineering experience in real-time safety-critical systems, willingness to learn cybersecurity practices, and a

Qualifications

• U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• BS in a related engineering or computer science discipline.
• At least five years in real-time safety-critical software systems engineering in aerospace or similar industries.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Support development and analysis of flight software requirements.
• Coordinate flight software documentation and review requirements, architecture, and design.
• Identify risks and vulnerabilities and develop cybersecurity controls.
• Help develop ICDs/IRDs to define interfaces between subsystems and other systems.
• Facilitate milestone reviews and track disposition closures.
• Coordinate resolution of flight software bugs and defects.
• Ensure adherence to NASA SSET standards for class A safety-critical software.
• Maintain RTM to ensure requirements are met.
• Interface with NASA and contractor teams across subsystems.
• Participate in NASA software boards and testing facilities.

Skills

Flight software systems engineering

Cybersecurity concepts

Verbal and written communication

Education

B.S. in Aerospace/Mechanical/Electrical/Computer or Software Engineering, Computer Science

Tools

C++

Python

cFS

RMF

Job description

Job Title: NASA Moon Base Flight Software and Cybersecurity Systems Engineer

Job Category: Engineering

Time Type: Full time

Minimum Clearance Required to Start: NACI

Employee Type: Regular

Percentage of Travel Required: Up to 10%

Type of Travel: Continental US

* * *

The Opportunity

CACI is looking for an experienced Flight Software Systems Engineer to support NASA’s Moon Base flight software development at the Johnson Space Center. The Moon Base is humanity’s first permanent lunar outpost establishing human presence on the lunar surface and laying steppingstones for Mars exploration. This exciting position involves software systems engineering throughout the full software life cycle including design, development, and evaluation of software from a cybersecurity perspective and helping shape future cybersecurity practices. While any cybersecurity expertise is highly valued, experience is not required at position start, only a desire and willingness to learn.

This position requires a self‑motivated, capable person with strong verbal and written communication skills. In addition to outstanding technical expertise, the individual must be very people savvy, have strong customer relationship skills, possess a positive team‑player attitude, be flexible and willing to take on new assignments and responsibilities as they arise. Finally, the most qualified candidate will be an articulate speaker able to communicate complex technical ideas in a convincing manner, must share our passion for our Nation's Space Program, and share in the excitement of developing future human‑rated space vehicles.

Responsibilities

• Support development and analysis of flight software requirements.
• Coordinate development of flight software documentation. Review flight software documents, e.g., requirements, architecture, design, etc.
• Identify areas of risk and vulnerabilities within implemented flight software and develop risk mitigation plans including recommended cybersecurity controls.
• Support development of Interface Control Documents (ICDs) and Interface Requirements Documents (IRDs) to define interfaces between flight software subsystems and other spacecraft or ground systems.
• Facilitate project milestone reviews and coordinate closure of Review Item Dispositions (RIDs).
• Track and coordinate resolution of flight software bugs and defects.
• Support trade studies, analyses, and assessments as needed to develop flight software and resolve issues.
• Provide guidance and oversight of process adherence to the NASA Spacecraft Software Engineering Team (SSET) standards and processes for class A safety‑critical flight software development.
• Develop and maintain a Requirements Traceability Matrix (RTM) to ensure all requirements are met.
• Interface with NASA and prime contractor engineering teams across flight software subsystem domains and NASA programs.
• Participate and present at NASA software boards as needed.
• Support integration of flight software in test and verification facilities.
• Develop software tools and scripts as needed.

This work takes place at NASA/JSC in Houston, TX, a highly stimulating and dynamic environment that is critical in human space flight and the space exploration initiative.

Qualifications

Required

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident.
• B.S. in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Computer or Software Engineering, Computer Science, or related disciplines required.
• At least five years of related software systems engineering experience in real‑time safety‑critical software in aerospace or other industries, e.g., commercial software, oil and gas, etc. Experience greater than the minimum expertise is highly valued.
• Must be flexible, open to new challenges in a dynamic environment, and possess strong technical expertise combined with strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities with little supervision.
• Must be a highly responsible, team‑oriented individual with strong work ethic.
• Must have highly developed coordination and organization skills.

Desired

• M.S. in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Computer or Software Engineering, Computer Science, or related disciplines.
• Cybersecurity experience (or willingness to learn) including performing assessments for compliance with cybersecurity standards and processes, performing threat modeling and applying countermeasures, determining and reporting cybersecurity risk posture.
• Experience implementing, assessing, and documenting security controls in NIST SP 800‑53 Rev. 5.
• Proficiency in Risk Management Framework (RMF) as defined in NIST SP 800‑37 Rev. 2.
• Experience conducting security control testing, documenting evidence of compliance, and preparing assessment findings.
• Experience in full life cycle of safety‑critical human‑rated software for aerospace or non‑aerospace applications.
• Familiarity with the NASA Spacecraft Software Engineering Team (SSET) standards and processes for class A safety‑critical flight software and/or experience with Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) level 3 or higher.
• Experience in flight software development for human‑rated space vehicles, e.g., Space Shuttle, International Space Station, SpaceX Crew Dragon, Boeing Starliner, Orion, or Lunar Gateway.
• Experience developing objected‑oriented C++ code
• Experience developing Python code.
• Experience with hardware/software integration.
• Experience with NASA core Flight System (cFS).
• Experience performing flight software verification.
• Vehicle‑wide knowledge of space vehicle systems, e.g., avionics; command and telemetry; command and control; timeline/vehicle management; systems management; displays; power; environmental control and life support; communications, etc.
• Knowledge of aerospace or similar vehicle operations, e.g., aircraft, space vehicle, satellite, submarine, etc.
• Experience with software configuration management tools.

What You Can Expect

A culture of integrity.

At CACI, we place character and innovation at the center of everything we do. As a valued team member, you’ll be part of a high‑performing group dedicated to our customer’s missions and driven by a higher purpose – to ensure the safety of our nation.

An environment of trust.

CACI values the unique contributions that every employee brings to our company and our customers - every day. You’ll have the autonomy to take the time you need through a unique flexible time off benefit and have access to robust learning resources to make your ambitions a reality.

A focus on continuous growth.

Together, we will advance our nation's most critical missions, build on our lengthy track record of business success, and find opportunities to break new ground — in your career and in our legacy.

Pay Range

There are a host of factors that can influence final salary including, but not limited to, geographic location, Federal Government contract labor categories and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, education, and certifications. Our employees value the flexibility at CACI that allows them to balance quality work and their personal lives. We offer competitive compensation, benefits and learning and development opportunities. Our broad and competitive mix of benefits options is designed to support and protect employees and their families. At CACI, you will receive comprehensive benefits such as; healthcare, wellness, financial, retirement, family support, continuing education, and time off benefits.

The Proposed Salary Range For This Position Is

$76,000 - 155,700 USD

CACI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected characteristic.