Sr Specialist, Program Management IPT Gen

L3Harris Technologies’ Aerojet Rocketdyne (AR) business segment is seeking a Senior Program Management Specialist to join our team in Canoga Park, California (Los Angeles area).

NASA has contracted with Aerojet Rocketdyne (AR) to provide liquid rocket engine booster propulsion to support development, production and flight of the nation’s Space Launch System (SLS). This includes the adaptation of 16 heritage Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSMEs) for use as propulsion for the first four Artemis Missions (Artemis I, II, III and IV).

In addition, AR is on contract to restart the RS-25 (formerly SSME) production line in support of SLS missions beyond Artemis IV. This includes the restart of suppliers and in-house fabrication processes, and addressing hardware obsolescence. It also includes implementing modern fabrication processes and affordability improvements for the fabrication, assembly and test of new hardware required for component- and engine-level development and certification, while leveraging the successful RS-25 heritage and preserving the inherent design reliability and safety record of this engine.

Finally, based on the Restart and Certification activities, AR is also on contract to deliver 24 “new” RS-25 production engines. The first of these would be contingency engines to support Artemis IV, while establishing the pipeline of engines required to support Artemis V and beyond.

L3Harris Technologies is the Trusted Disruptor for the global aerospace and defense industry. With customers’ mission-critical needs always in mind, our more than 50,000 employees deliver end-to-end technology solutions connecting the space, air, land, sea and cyber domains.

Enjoy work/life balance at our Canoga Park, CA (Los Angeles area) site. At this facility, we design & manufacture rocket engines and unique power systems that support space exploration & the defense of our nation such as NASA’s SLS, Lockheed Martin’s THAAD, Sierra Nevada’s Dream Chaser, and the Mars Perseverance Rover.

Youre not just "doing a job" at Aerojet Rocketdyne, an L3Harris Technologies Company. The work you perform makes significant contributions to national security and space exploration.

• Inspiring Company Culture - Our people support each other and work together to leave an indelible impact on our nation’s aerospace and defense legacy. Read more about our culture: Careers L3Harris
• Rest and Relaxation- Accrue 3 weeks of vacation to start plus separate sick allowance. 9/80 schedule providing longer weekends. Plus 90 hours of paid holidays on average throughout the year.
• Comprehensive Health Benefits - Medical, Dental, Vision, Health Savings Accounts, and Wellness programs. Want to know more? Check out: Benefits L3Harris
• Prepare for the Future - 401(k) with company match
• Professional Development - Tuition assistance, free professional development training through Rocket University, employee recognition, and leadership development programs
• Employee Resource Groups – Local and Enterprise employee-led volunteer groups to create community, awareness, impact, and to support a culture where everyone belongs

The Senior Program Management Specialist will serve as the RS-25 Engine Systems & Software (ES&S) Integrated Product Team (IPT) Leader. In this role, you will demonstrate strong team building and communication skills to motivate a cross-functional team including AR, NASA and Boeing customers and subcontract personnel. The IPT Leader will ensure the team maintains a strong working relationship with other SLS program IPTs and the functional Center of Excellence (COE) organization. This position reports directly to AR’s SLS Director of Systems, Integration, Test & Flight Operations.

75 - Lead the AR product team in the area of engine systems and software integration. This includes leading the team to ensure seamless integration of RS-25 components as a total engine system with the emphasis on systems interaction for engine performance, hardware compatibility, and design change impacts. Pre-test planning and post-test data review/analysis supporting RS-25 engine re-certification and production engine acceptance are key tasks within this IPT. Related support activity includes but is not limited to Software Change Control Board (SCCB), Unsatisfactory Condition Report (UCR) board, Chief Engineers Reviews (CERs), Pre-Test Readiness Reviews (PTRRs), post-test Data Reviews (DRs), Test planning/support and anomaly resolution.

The ES&S IPT will also support Vehicle Integration with the SLS Core Stage, including working group interactions such as the SLS Interface Control Working Group (ICWG), and Launch Commit Criteria (LCC) and Operations & Maintenance Requirements Specification (OMRS) working groups. RS-25 engine post-delivery support through Core Stage integration, launch readiness/reviews, flight support and post-flight analysis are key tasks, including coordination of RS-25 day-of-launch support on-site at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) and at AR’s off-site support locations.

In addition, the ES&S IPT will manage the RS-25 engine control system, including control systems requirements and integration with the Engine Control Unit (ECU) and associated hardware; ECU software requirements, coding and verification/validation efforts; and engine control system Hardware-in-the-Loop Laboratory (HILL) test and anomaly resolution support.

20 - Ensure the scope of work is completed within cost and schedule constraints by applying earned value management (EVM) tools to plan, monitor and implement corrective action as required. In addition, the IPT leader will implement and monitor engine systems and software affordability goals.

Requires a Bachelors degree in Engineering or related field, at least 15 years of applicable experience, and familiarity with large turbopump-fed rocket engine systems design, analysis and testing.

Additional Requirements and Preferred Qualifications:

• Candidates should have a strong background in the RS-25/SSME engine history and capabilities.
• Demonstrated successful management of technical, cost and schedule goals (EVM) along with aggressive Risk and Opportunity management.
• Experience in dealing with customers and in leading and motivating cross-functional work teams.
• Candidate should have a technical knowledge of engine control systems, including software requirements, engine checkouts, and all phases of engine operation. This knowledge will be applied to properly balance technical performance, programmatic constraints, affordability goals and risk.

Will be required to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance at the appropriate level. Requires U.S. Citizenship. Must also be able to satisfy federal government requirements for access to government information, and having dual citizenship may preclude you from being able to meet this requirement. Additionally, individual must be able to obtain and maintain NASA Personnel Reliability Program (PRP) security clearance.

Work Environment/Physical Requirements:

Employees in this position must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and to use standard office equipment, including a computer; stamina to sit or stand and maintain attention to detail despite interruptions; may occasionally lift/carry/push/pull up to 25 pounds; may require occasional walking, climbing, stooping, crouching, and/or bending; and vision to read printed materials and a computer screen, and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. May require the ability to travel by air or auto. May require the use of personal protective equipment such as safety glasses, safety shoes, and shop coat. This position may be expected to work varying shifts and hours to ensure successful operation of activities in the organization.