Section Manager for Facility and Test Management

Mclaurin Aerospace; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Relocation assistance

Education assistance

11 paid holidays annually

Generous PTO

401k after 12 months of service

Job summary

Mclaurin Aerospace seeks a Section Manager for Facility and Test Management to lead the Energy and Space Simulation Group at NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX. You will oversee a 25+ technical team and manage multi-million-dollar budgets, ensuring safety and compliance with NASA standards.

You will drive program performance, establish KPIs, and partner with NASA EC4 Branch clients to deliver complex facility upgrades and test campaigns on schedule and within budget.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering is required and 5–10 years of related experience; license/certification may be required.
• 5–10 years of project management experience, including supervising large technical teams and facility operations.
• Ability to develop estimates, manage risk, and present performance data to leadership.
• Must maintain on-site presence at Johnson Space Center (JSC).
• Strong stakeholder management skills to brief senior leadership and NASA clients.
• Knowledge of HSE standards and pressure system safety in a lab/facility setting.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Full-time on-site commitment at Johnson Space Center (JSC).
• PMP certification and prior experience with NASA/JSC structures are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Facility and Test Management Section within the Energy and Space Simulation Group.
• Supervise a 25+ person technical team of Test Directors, Mechanical Engineers, and Project Managers.
• Lead end-to-end facility upgrades and test campaigns with defined Work Breakdown Structures.
• Establish and monitor KPIs for project delivery, team performance, and task orders.
• Manage multi-million-dollar budgets and resource forecasts; generate estimates for leadership and NASA clients.
• Establish and enforce project management standards, tools, methodologies and best practices.
• Maintain the availability of space simulation test facilities and ensure NASA safety standards are met.
• Drive innovation and process improvements to expedite test cycles and reduce costs.
• Serve as the primary technical POC for NASA EC4 Branch clients and staffing plans.
• Ensure safety compliance and adherence to EEO/AA policies; participate in leadership planning and recruitment.
• Handle personnel management tasks including onboarding, timecards, and performance evaluations.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Stakeholder management

HSE standards

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

MS preferred

PMP certification

Tools

Microsoft Project

Scheduling tools

Job description

Are you passionate about human space exploration, understanding the origins of the universe, and working with a passionate and diverse team to make a difference? If you are, we need you!

We need your talent, teamwork, and energy to help us achieve great things that inspire people all over the globe. We need you to bring creative ideas and diverse backgrounds to help us envision, shape, and deliver systems that will enable the exploration of space while benefiting people here on Earth. We are excited about what we do, and we need you on our team as we take on exciting challenges for NASA's pursuits in deep space exploration.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Section Manager for Facility and Test Management to join our JETS II contract team at NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX.

If selected you will:

• Manage the Facility and Test Management Section within the Energy and Space Simulation Group, supporting the NASA Crew and Thermal Systems Division's (CTSD) System Test Branch (EC4).
• Supervise a high-performing technical team of 25+ personnel, including Test Directors, Mechanical Engineers and Project Managers. You are responsible for the technical integrity of pressure system maintenance, Facility modification and upgrades, instrumentation calibrations, Human-in-the-loop testing, and thermal vacuum operations.
• Lead the end-to-end lifecycle of facility upgrades and test campaigns. Oversee the planning, execution and delivery of multiple concurrent projects, this may include defining project requirements, developing comprehensive Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), and managing cost, schedule, and technical scope.
• Accountable for establishing, monitoring, and achieving Key Performance Metrics (KPIs) that measure the effectiveness of project delivery, team performance, and task order outcome for the Facility & Test Management team.
• Manage multi-million-dollar budgets and resource forecasts. Generate detailed estimates for leadership and NASA clients and monitor performance indicators and mitigate risks.
• Establish and enforce project management standards, tools, methodologies and best practices.
• Maintain the technical availability of numerous space simulation test facilities. You will oversee complex maintenance schedules and ensure all hardware-including spaceflight hardware and human-rated test systems-meets rigorous NASA safety and engineering standards.
• Drive technical innovation and continuous improvement. Identify bottlenecks in testing workflows and implement process engineering solutions to expedite test cycles and reduce operational costs.
• Perform as the primary technical point of contact for NASA EC4 Branch clients, translating high-level mission goals into actionable engineering work orders and staffing plans, meeting or exceeding customer expectations.
• Responsible for employee safety in the operational areas and provides adherence to HSE standards and corporate policies.
• Participate actively in the leadership team, assisting Senior Managers with strategic planning and recruitment efforts.
• Handle personnel management tasks, onboarding, timecard approvals, leave requests, training certifications, annual performance evaluations, regular team meetings, and employee recognition though awards.
• Communicate effectively with fellow managers and project managers to resolve issues
• Offer employee counseling and ensure compliance with EEO/AA policies.
• Fulfill other responsibilities as needed.

Qualifications:

This position has been posted at multiple levels. Depending on the candidate's experience, requirements, and business needs, we reserve the right to consider candidates at any level for which this position has been advertised.

• Typically requires a minimum of a bachelor's degree in Engineering and normally possess 5- 10 years of related experience. License and certification may be required.
• Minimum of 5–10 years of project management experience (testing facility preferred) including at least 5 years supervising large technical teams and complex facility operations
• High-level ability to develop estimates, manage risk registers, and present technical performance data to client and leadership.
• Ability to manage multiple high-priority technical projects simultaneously while maintaining a full-time, on-site presence at Johnson Space Center (JSC).
• Expertise in stakeholder management, with the ability to translate complex technical milestones into clear, actionable project briefings for senior leadership and NASA clients.
• Comprehensive knowledge of HSE standards and pressure system safety regulations within a laboratory or facility setting.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• This role requires a full-time, on-site commitment at the Johnson Space Center (JSC).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering (MS preferred) with 9–13 years of direct engineering experience in high-stakes technical environments.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
• Prior experience with JSC organizational structures, EA test facilities, and NASA work order systems.
• Direct experience with Thermal Vacuum (TVAC) testing, environmental stress screening, and human-in-the-loop test protocols.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Project and integrated scheduling tools.
• Experience managing technical staff within a Union/Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) framework.
• Knowledgeable in the management of facilities, including the use of JSC's reporting and work order systems.
• Familiarity with the physical and medical standards of JSC's clinic, particularly regarding the certification process for the workforce.

Benefits

• Competitive pay
• Positive work-life balance
• 100% Employer paid insurance including: Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment, short-term disability, and long-term disability
• 11 paid holidays annually
• Generous PTO
• 401k after 12 months of service with employer match
• Education assistance
• Relocation assistance (if applicable)

Mclaurin is a unique organization with a special focus on combining the best features of research and industry in order to foster innovation. Our organization strongly supports research, publication, and engagement with the academic community. We encourage our employees to remain on the cutting edge of new developments in their respective disciplines.

US Citizenship and the ability to pass a comprehensive security background investigation is required.

Mclaurin is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.