Portable Life Support System (PLSS) Project Engineer at Astrion

Portable Life Support System (PLSS) Project Engineer
LOCATION: NASA Johnson Space Center | Avionic Systems Division
JOB STATUS: Full Time

CLEARANCE: Background check & U.S. Citizenship required

Are you inspired by human space exploration and passionate about pushing the boundaries of technology to benefit both space missions and life on Earth? Join our diverse and highly collaborative team as we tackle NASA’s deep space exploration challenges. At ERC, NASA’s largest engineering solutions provider, we partner with NASA centers across the United States to deliver cutting-edge engineering support for mission-critical programs.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Portable Life Support System (PLSS) Project Engineer to join our team. In this role, you will play a key part in developing, testing, and maintaining spacesuit life support systems, ensuring astronauts are safe and fully supported during extravehicular activities (EVAs).

Key Responsibilities:

• Perform project engineering tasks supporting the PLSS, including hardware development, assembly, and maintenance.
• Define, develop, procure, and build ground support equipment (GSE) and test support equipment (TSE) to evaluate spacesuit hardware.
• Plan and execute hardware troubleshooting to investigate mechanical and electrical failures in flight hardware, development test articles, or test support equipment.
• Develop comprehensive documentation including assembly procedures, test plans, detailed test procedures, and operations-related products.
• Collaborate with PLSS team leadership to update work plans, technical agreements, and project scope documentation.
• Capture new risks or update existing PLSS Risk Mitigation Plans in collaboration with PLSS team leads.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience in engineering or a closely related technical field.
• Strong written and oral communication skills; effective team player.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with LabVIEW for test and data acquisition applications.
• Hands-on experience in laboratory or testing environments.
• Detailed knowledge of vent loop gas flow rates, pressure management, and PLSS outlet CO2 control in both closed- and open-loop modes.
• Deep understanding of xEMU vent loop and thermal loop component design goals, including functionality, pressure and flow rates, component build/manufacturing history, testing (DVT/TVAC), and potential consequences of design modifications.
• Experience with thermal control and auxiliary thermal loops, including heat removal capabilities, pressures, flow rates, water/materials compatibility, and design trade-offs.
• Experience with pressure systems including relief valves, pressure transducers, flow meters, and their calibration.