Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Mission Systems Engineer

George Mason University; Chantilly (VA); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

George Mason University seeks a Postdoctoral Research Mission Systems Engineer sponsored by the NASA Landolt Mission. The role advances mission design, development, and testing across payload, software, and bus subsystems.

You will collaborate with faculty, researchers, and partners from multiple institutions to deliver system-level solutions and rigorous documentation for NASA reviews and publications. Hybrid eligible, located in Fairfax, VA, with a commitment to diversity and inclusive

Qualifications

• Terminal degree in a related field (PhD or equivalent in Aerospace or Systems Engineering or related field with emphasis on space systems development).
• Experience conducting systems engineering for a space-domain project or similar domain.
• Knowledge of systems engineering procedures and practices applicable to space projects.
• Familiarity with NASA procedures and practices or those of other spacefaring organizations.

Responsibilities

• Lead execution of NASA Landolt Mission lifecycle activities including coordination across subsystems (payload, software, bus).
• Co-manage daily operations, resources, and technical priorities for mission success.
• Develop documentation and technical publications for mission reviews and NASA requirements.
• Collaborate with scientists, engineers, students, project management, and external partners across institutions.
• Communicate decisions, outcomes, and timelines to Landolt Mission team.

Skills

Space systems engineering

NASA procedures

Systems engineering

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Hybrid mission experience

Education

PhD or equivalent in Aerospace or Systems Engineering

Job description

Department:

College of Science

Classification:

Post Doc 12 month

Job Category:

Postdoctoral Faculty

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 (GMU), a CarnegieResearch Iinstitution,is Virginia’s largest and most diverse university with morethan38,000 students. Located in Fairfax, Virginia, Mason is partof the Washington DC metropolitan area offering easy access to thescientific and political resources of the nation’s capital.

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

The Landolt Mission teamis responsible fordeveloping andexecuting a NASA space-based mission through coordinated workacross science, payload, spacecraft bus, software, systemsengineering, integration and test, mission assurance, and projectmanagement functions. The unit provides an interdisciplinaryresearch and training environment for faculty, postdoctoralresearchers, engineers, staff, and students working collaborativelywith federal, academic, commercial, and other external partners.

The Landolt Mission team supports mission formulation, systemsengineering, subsystem coordination, technical trade studies,requirements development, verification and validation planning,assembly, integration and testing, technical documentation, missionreviews, and mission operations planning. The unit workscollaboratively across payload, spacecraft bus, software, groundsystems, mission operations, science, and programmatic interfacesto advance missionobjectivesand meet NASA requirements.

Statement on Building an Inclusive Culture: George Mason UniversityCollege of Science (Mason Science) is committed to advancinginclusive excellence and fostering an environment free fromdiscrimination, harassment, and retaliation throughout our STEMcommunity. At Mason Science, our values include cultivating anorganizational culture that promotes belonging, respect, andcivility. We believe that varied opinions, cultures, andperspectives are what provides vibrancy, innovation, and growth toan academic community. By prioritizing cultural responsiveness inacademics, teaching, research, and global engagement, we strive toattract faculty and staff who exemplify the Mason Science missionand vision.

About the Position:

This position is sponsored by the NASA Landolt mission. ThePostdoctoral Research Mission Systems Engineer (MSE) duties include(at a different level of involvement and responsibility):

• Contribute to all aspects of mission design, development, andtesting by coordinating among subsystem element teams, includingpayload, software, and hardware teams. Coordinate procedural andregulatory compliance aspects of mission alongside technicalaspects. Conceive, conduct, and communicate about necessary tradestudies among or within subsystem elements and payload.
• Organize, oversee, and participate in assembly, integration,and testing of individual components, modules, and satellite bus.As necessary, coordinates and participates in integration ofassembled satellite bus with launch vehicle and padfacilities.
• Identify, support/coordinate, and/or operate relevantsimulations and analysis tools to predict, track, and redirect keymission performance parameters, including, but not necessarilylimited to, subsystem or overall mass, volume, and power budgets;scientific performance; and risk throughout the system lifecycle.Communicate decision points, outcomes, and summaries upward to allother members of the Landolt Mission team.
• Document activities for the Landolt Mission through missionreviews, mission reports, mission documentation, technicalpublications in a manner consistent with space-based projects andpublished results in professional scientific journals.
• Work collaboratively and effectively in a team environmentcomposed of scientists, engineers, students, project management andsupport staff at multiple institutions, federal, academic, andcommercial partners.

Responsibilities:

Execute NASA Landolt Mission throughout its Lifecycle:

• Lead internal Landolt Mission technical coordination;
• Work closely with mission leadership and majorstakeholders;
• Co-manage daily operations and resource utilization; and
• Provide recommendations regarding technical priorities andresource utilization.

Mission Systems Development:

• Conduct and/or oversee trade studies and subsystemanalyses;
• Guide development of Interface Control Documents (ICDs) for allsubsystems, including hardware, software, payload, and bussubsystems;
• Guide, oversee, and participate in all assembly, integration,and test (AI&T) tasks leading to successful integration ofpayload, bus, software, and complete space vehicle;
• Identify and comply with all applicable NASA space systemsrequirements and procedures; and
• Carry out or oversee system modeling and characterizations ofsystem components and subsystems.

Research Support:

• Conduct mission-relevant research and technical investigationsunder the guidance of the faculty mentor and Landolt Missionleadership to advance mission science, systems engineering,instrument development, and/or spaceflight technologyobjectives;
• Develop, execute, analyze, and document research studies,simulations, models, trade studies, and technical analyses thatsupport Landolt Mission design decisions, performance assessment,risk reduction, and technology maturation; and
• Review and synthesize relevant scientific, engineering, NASA,and spaceflight literature, standards, and technical documentationto inform mission planning, system development, and researchpriorities.

Reporting:

• Co-lead the writing and production of formal technical reports,progress reports, and reviews for NASA (e.g., PDR, CDR, TRR, FRR,ORR) in a manner consistent with NASA’s documentation requirements,standards, and guidelines (e.g., NPR 7120.5/8);
• Write or co-write papers for professional journals andconferences;
• Attend meetings with sponsors and collaborators, federal,commercial, and academic partners when necessary, occasionallyrequiring travel outside of the DC metropolitan area; and
• Assist in the pursuit of new and continued George MasonUniversity Space Center projects and funding support (e.g., new,extended, and follow-on missions/projects).

Required Qualifications:

• Terminal degree in a related field (i.e., PhD or equivalent inAerospace Engineering or Systems Engineering or related field withan emphasis on space systems development);
• Experience conducting systems engineering for a relevantproject in the space domain or a relevant domain;
• Knowledge of and ability to conduct systems engineering for arelevant project in the space domain or a relevant domain;
• Familiarity with systems engineering procedures and practices;and
• Familiarity with or knowledge of NASA procedures and practices,or with procedures and practices for other spacefaringorganizations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with hybrid missions, operations planning, spacehardware, electronics, embedded system development, and NASAprocedures and practices;
• Experience in the design, development, and testing of spaceinstruments, payloads, or electronic systems;
• Knowledge of and ability to implement or follow NASA proceduresand practices;
• Knowledge of remote sensing missions, technical knowledge ofoptics, laser systems, space flight hardware, and/or embeddedsoftware for space applications are desirable; and
• Knowledge of hybrid missions and/or operations planning.

Posting Open Date:

October 7, 2026

For Full Consideration, Apply by:

November 1, 2026

Open Until Filled:

Yes

Mason Ad Statement

George Mason University is a nationally ranked R1 researchuniversity committed to creating a more just, free, and prosperousworld. With 40,000 enrolled students, George Mason is the largestand most diverse public research university in Virginia, offeringdegree programs at the master's, doctoral, and professional level,along with certificates and credentials.

George Mason fosters an All Together Different environment forstudents, faculty, and staff, driven by our core beliefs. Webelieve in inclusivity over exclusivity; we believe in advancingour mission by being willing to take risks, not avoiding them; andwe believe our best work is possible when we apply our diversity oforigin, identity, circumstance, and thought.

Equity Statement

George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative actionemployer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in itscommunity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration foretployment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexualorientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability orveteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.

Campus Safety Information

Mason’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available athttp://police.gmu.edu/annual-security-report/