Department: College of Science
Classification: Research Staff 12-month
Job Category: Research Staff
Job Type: Full-Time
Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)
Location: Fairfax, VA
Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible
Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship
Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience
Restricted: Yes
Criminal Background Check: Yes
About the Position: The Instrument Systems Engineer is sponsored by the NASA Landolt mission. The duties include (at a different level of involvement and responsibility):
- Contributes to all aspects of payload instrument design and development including mechanical, electrical, software, procedural, and regulatory compliance as a member of the instrument team.
- Participates in the assembly, integration, and testing of components, modules, and fully integrated instruments, ensuring seamless integration with the satellite bus.
- Runs data collection, analysis, and simulation studies to define the instrument performance. Develops procedures and techniques to process data from the space-based Landolt Mission instrument, while continuously enhancing its performance.
- Documents activities for the Landolt Mission through mission reviews, reports, documentation, and technical publications in a manner consistent with space-based projects and published results in professional scientific journals.
- Collaborates effectively within a diverse, multi-institutional team environment comprising scientists, engineers, students, project managers, and support staff across federal, academic, and commercial partners.
- Fosters a culture of engagement, diversity, inclusiveness, excellence, and innovation. Champions George Mason University's commitment to Access, Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion to create an inclusive and welcoming environment that promotes a commitment to safety, integrity, and teamwork.
Responsibilities: Executes NASA Landolt Mission throughout its Lifecycle:
- Work closely with mission leadership; and
- Co-manage daily operations and resource utilization.
Instrument Systems Development:
- Develop, integrate, and test structural, embedded, electronic, and software components for engineering demonstration units, mockups, test stations, and flight hardware;
- Carry out system assembly and integration;
- Comply with NASA space system requirements and procedures; and
- Execute system testing and characterize system components and subsystems.
Reporting:
- Co-lead writing and production of formal technical reports, progress reports, and reviews for NASA (e.g., CSR, SRR, MDR, PDR, CDR, FRR, ORR) in a manner consistent with NASA's documentation requirements, standards, and guidelines (e.g., NPR 7120.5/8);
- Write papers for professional journals and conferences;
- Attend meetings with sponsors, collaborators, and partners across federal, commercial, and academic sectors, with occasional travel outside the DC metropolitan area as required; and
- Assist in the pursuit of new and continued Mason Space Center projects and funding support (e.g., new and extended missions/projects).
Required Qualifications: - PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical or Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field;
- Knowledge of NASA procedures and practices; and
- Knowledge of space system development, integration, and testing.
Preferred Qualifications: - MS/PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical or Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering or related field with an emphasis on space systems development;
- Experience with space hardware, electronics, embedded system development, and NASA procedures and practices;
- Additional experience in CAD structural design for mechanical components, electronic prototyping, and Python programming would be beneficial;
- Experience with embedded system development, particularly programming MSP430 microcontrollers in C is preferred;
- Experience in the design, development, and testing of space instruments, payloads, and electronic systems;
- Possess a solid foundation in optics, hardware, electronics, and embedded software for space applications, along with proficiency in Linux; and
- Strong programming skills in Python and C are desired.
Instructions to Applicants: For full consideration, applicants must apply for the
Instrument Systems Engineer at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a CV and a statement of interest and experience.
Posting Open Date: October 23, 2026
For Full Consideration, Apply by: November 6, 2026
Open Until Filled: Yes
