NASA Artemis Next Generation Space Suit Software Project Lead

Job Title: NASA Artemis Next Generation Space Suit Software Project Lead

Job Category: Engineering

Time Type: Full time

Minimum Clearance Required to Start: None

Employee Type: Regular

Percentage of Travel Required: Up to 10%

Type of Travel: Continental US

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The Opportunity:

CACI is seeking an experienced Software Technical Project Lead to manage the Artemis Next Generation Space Suit software team at NASA Johnson Space Center. This blended senior software engineer and leadership role provides project leadership, people management, and technical expertise across the integrated software effort.  This effort supports the embedded space suit control and caution and warning system, embedded microcontroller software, test and verification activities, and software systems engineering.  The Next Generation Space Suit will be worn by astronauts to explore the lunar surface.

The project lead will help rapidly stand up and lead the team in planning, development, integration, verification, certification, and customer coordination for safety-critical, human-rated flight software. This position requires a self-motivated leader with strong communication skills, technical judgment, customer relationship skills, and a servant-leadership mindset. The strongest candidates will be flexible, team-oriented, and able to communicate complex technical ideas clearly and convincingly while sharing our passion for the nation's space program and the development of the next generation of human-rated space vehicles. This work is performed onsite at NASA/JSC in Houston, Texas, in a highly dynamic environment that is central to human spaceflight and space exploration.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and grow a multidisciplinary software team spanning embedded flight software, embedded controller firmware, software test and verification, and software systems engineering for the Artemis Next Generation Space Suit.
• Oversee development of safety-critical embedded flight software for the space suit’s control, and caution and warning system.
• Oversee development of embedded firmware for bare-metal controllers that interface with and support Artemis Next Generation Space Suit software.
• Oversee software test, verification, and integration activities, including development of automated unit, integration, and verification tests.
• Oversee software systems engineering activities including requirements analysis, interface definition, traceability, and verification procedure development.
• Guide software planning, architecture, design reviews, integration, verification, validation, and flight-certification support activities.
• Interface with NASA and space suit designer engineering teams and represent software status, risks, priorities, and trade studies to project leadership and customers.
• Collaborate with engineering teams and contractors across multiple NASA programs and projects.
• Support milestone reviews, technical demonstrations, and customer status reporting.
• Ensure adherence to JSC standard software process practices and sound engineering discipline.
• Drive continuous improvement in tooling, development practices, and team execution.
• Develop staffing plans, assign work, balance priorities, and adjust team focus quickly to meet customer needs, schedule constraints, and changing mission direction.
• Provide day-to-day technical leadership, mentoring, and career development for team members while maintaining a servant-leadership approach.
• Be responsible for team administrative duties including assignments, timecard approval, performance feedback, recruiting support, interviewing, onboarding, and training.

Qualifications:

Required: 

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident for access to USG facilities.
• B.S. in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical or Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related discipline.
• A minimum of 3 years of technical leadership or people-management experience for software development teams; greater experience is highly valued.
• At least 5 years of experience in software development for safety-critical software; experience in aerospace or other mission-critical industries is highly valued.
• Strong C programming skills and experience with Linux-based development environments.
• Experience with automated software testing such as unit, integration, and verification tests.
• Experience managing software projects across the full software development life cycle phases, including planning, requirements, design, implementation, integration, verification, and release readiness.
• Must embrace a servant leadership model in leading the project and serving the customer and team members.
• Experience with recruiting, personnel assignments, team member development, mentoring, and performance feedback.
• Must be flexible, open to new challenges in a dynamic environment, and possess strong technical expertise combined with strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Requires the ability to manage multiple priorities with limited 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 Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical or Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related discipline.
• Prior experience leading multidisciplinary software teams that include embedded software, firmware, verification, and systems engineering contributors.
• Experience in human-rated space vehicle flight software for Space Shuttle, International Space Station, Orion, Commercial Crew, Gateway, or other aerospace vehicles.
• Experience with NASA Core Flight Software (cFS), embedded Real-time Operating Systems, or bare-metal controller firmware development.
• Experience evaluating software requirements, verification strategy, and test readiness from both technical and programmatic perspectives.
• Experience developing and maintaining software documentation including software requirements specifications, interface control documents, traceability products, user guides, and test procedures and plans.
• Experience with GitLab, CI/CD automation pipelines, Docker, Makefiles, CMake, Jira, and related software development tooling.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or comparable program leadership experience.
• Familiarity with CMMI Level 3 (or above) process areas

This position is contingent on funding and may not be filled immediately. However, this position is representative of positions within CACI that are consistently available. Individuals who apply may also be considered for other positions at CACI.

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:

$90,300 - 189,600 USD