International Space Station (ISS) Deorbit Subject Matter Expert (SME)
Required Skills
Job Description
The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.
The Human Exploration and Spaceflight (HESF) Sub\-Division, within the NASA Programs Division (NPD) of CSG, maintains the company subject matter expertise for human spaceflight. HESF supports NASA and its bold human exploration missions from the NASA Headquarters Mission Directorates, to the Moon to Mars Office, down to every Artemis Program in operation. We also support the International Space Station (ISS), Commercial LEO Development Program, Commercial Crew Program, Human Health \& Performance. And the Gateway Program. HESF support spans from architecture and mission design, to technology development, requirements and design reviews, and finally to verification, safety, and on orbit operational reviews and concurrences.
The **ISS Deorbit SME (Senior Project Engineer\- Technical Project Management)** will support the ISS Program Office (OB7/VIPER) by assisting the NASA ISS Deorbit Manager in all capacities to define, analyze, and assess the various options for eventually deorbiting the ISS safely. This includes, but is not limited to, representing the NASA ISS Deorbit Manager as needed on all panels and reviews.**The selected candidate will be required to work full\-time, on\-site at our facility in Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX.****What You’ll Be Doing****Providing full\-time support to the OB7/VIPER team’s ISS Deorbit Technical Manager.** ***These tasks include, but are not limited to:**** Employing technical subject matter expertise in all aspects of ISS deorbit trajectory planning
* Performing risk trades for orbit shape
* Assessing deorbit operations
* Performing ground track trade studies
* Accomplishing other tasks as required
**Performing as back up for ISS Deorbit Technical Manager*** Substituting at all Program Level meetings as required
* Providing insight/oversight as needed for all technical activities
**What You Need to be Successful\- Senior Project Engineer\- Technical Project Management***Minimum Requirements:** Bachelor’s degree in science, engineering, mathematics, or another related STEM discipline is required
* At least (10\) years of orbital/deorbit analysis experience, including procedures development, mission integration, and mission execution is required
* A record of increasingly responsible professional engineering/scientific experience, including experience in a systems engineering and/or program management environment
* Superior analytical, planning, problem solving, and decision\-making skills
* Ability to effectively utilize oral and written communication to express concepts and recommendations to personnel at all technical and managerial levels
* Proven expertise and ability to work effectively in a multi\-disciplinary setting, manage multiple concurrent tasks, and provide direction on competing priorities
* Proven ability to make timely, informed decisions and resolve conflicts in high\-pressure environments.
* Excellent teaming and leadership skills with an ability to multi\-task across various issues/disciplines simultaneously
* Excellent presentation and communications skills, including development of and briefing of decision packages and complex information in a succinct and polished manner.
* Willing to travel occasionally to work location or customer site/domestically/internationally
* This position may require the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance
**How You Can Stand Out***It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:** Master's degree or advanced degree in a relevant field is preferred
* Ten years of experience with NASA Programs
* Experience performing or leading technical and programmatic tasks for NASA, especially Human Space Flight is preferred
We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. The grade\-based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills.
(Min \- Max)
$151,300\.00 \- $226,900\.00
Pay Basis: Annual**Leadership Competencies**
Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our t
The Human Exploration and Spaceflight (HESF) Sub\-Division, within the NASA Programs Division (NPD) of CSG, maintains the company subject matter expertise for human spaceflight. HESF supports NASA and its bold human exploration missions from the NASA Headquarters Mission Directorates, to the Moon to Mars Office, down to every Artemis Program in operation. We also support the International Space Station (ISS), Commercial LEO Development Program, Commercial Crew Program, Human Health \& Performance. And the Gateway Program. HESF support spans from architecture and mission design, to technology development, requirements and design reviews, and finally to verification, safety, and on orbit operational reviews and concurrences.
The **ISS Deorbit SME (Senior Project Engineer\- Technical Project Management)** will support the ISS Program Office (OB7/VIPER) by assisting the NASA ISS Deorbit Manager in all capacities to define, analyze, and assess the various options for eventually deorbiting the ISS safely. This includes, but is not limited to, representing the NASA ISS Deorbit Manager as needed on all panels and reviews.**The selected candidate will be required to work full\-time, on\-site at our facility in Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX.****What You’ll Be Doing****Providing full\-time support to the OB7/VIPER team’s ISS Deorbit Technical Manager.** ***These tasks include, but are not limited to:**** Employing technical subject matter expertise in all aspects of ISS deorbit trajectory planning
* Performing risk trades for orbit shape
* Assessing deorbit operations
* Performing ground track trade studies
* Accomplishing other tasks as required
**Performing as back up for ISS Deorbit Technical Manager*** Substituting at all Program Level meetings as required
* Providing insight/oversight as needed for all technical activities
**What You Need to be Successful\- Senior Project Engineer\- Technical Project Management***Minimum Requirements:** Bachelor’s degree in science, engineering, mathematics, or another related STEM discipline is required
* At least (10\) years of orbital/deorbit analysis experience, including procedures development, mission integration, and mission execution is required
* A record of increasingly responsible professional engineering/scientific experience, including experience in a systems engineering and/or program management environment
* Superior analytical, planning, problem solving, and decision\-making skills
* Ability to effectively utilize oral and written communication to express concepts and recommendations to personnel at all technical and managerial levels
* Proven expertise and ability to work effectively in a multi\-disciplinary setting, manage multiple concurrent tasks, and provide direction on competing priorities
* Proven ability to make timely, informed decisions and resolve conflicts in high\-pressure environments.
* Excellent teaming and leadership skills with an ability to multi\-task across various issues/disciplines simultaneously
* Excellent presentation and communications skills, including development of and briefing of decision packages and complex information in a succinct and polished manner.
* Willing to travel occasionally to work location or customer site/domestically/internationally
* This position may require the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance
**How You Can Stand Out***It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:** Master's degree or advanced degree in a relevant field is preferred
* Ten years of experience with NASA Programs
* Experience performing or leading technical and programmatic tasks for NASA, especially Human Space Flight is preferred
We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. The grade\-based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills.
(Min \- Max)
$151,300\.00 \- $226,900\.00
Pay Basis: Annual**Leadership Competencies**
Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our t
Posted: 2026-03-26