Job Description

Job Summary:

The Mission Training Complex (MTC) Engineer is a multifaceted member of the Training Integration team responsible for creating and sustaining immersive training experiences for NASA International Space Station (ISS) payload operations. The position combines lab management, hardware development, 3D modeling and additive manufacturing, software engineering, and extended reality (XR) technologies. The MTC Engineer collaborates with disciplines across the Payload Mission Operations Directorate (PMOD) to support training; develops and maintains physical and virtual mock-ups; manages training infrastructure, including networks, servers, and computer databases; supports testing and troubleshooting; teaches assigned classes; and leads requested tours of the MTC.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned:

Lab Management:

• Maintain the physical training facility by coordinating and performing routine maintenance and repairs.
• Maintain current facility photographs, posters, signage, stickers, and decals for MTC and Lab Training Complex (LTC) hardware.
• Maintain knowledge of inventory and support inventory control for lab equipment, hardware, materials, and supplies.
• Manage training infrastructure, including applicable networks, servers, and computer databases.

Hardware Development

• Locate, evaluate, and modify CAD files for additive manufacturing.
• Reverse engineer and develop payload hardware when CAD files are unavailable.
• Develop rack-hardware mock-ups from the ground up to support purchasing, fabrication, integration, and training requirements.

Software and XR Development

• Use Unity3D to produce and maintain Glass Rack Trainer (GRT) models.
• Use LabWindows/CVI to update legacy GRT models.
• Program in C# to develop and maintain Unity applications.
• Apply knowledge of XR hardware, immersive learning technologies, and industry best practices to training solutions.

3D Modeling and Additive Manufacturing

• Create optimized 3D models from CAD references for use in Unity-based GRTs.
• Unwrap and texture 3D models for real-time training applications.
• Convert CAD models into suitable 3D-printable formats.
• Redesign existing CAD models to improve manufacturability through additive manufacturing.
• Operate fused deposition modeling (FDM) and stereolithography (SLA) 3D printers and apply appropriate processes for each technology.

Customer, Training, and Technical Support

• Communicate with customers and cross-functional teams to gather requirements and obtain information needed to troubleshoot issues.
• Use intermediate knowledge of the ISS Simulator and EPC to test and troubleshoot training environments.
• Teach assigned classes delivered through the LTC.
• Lead requested tours of the MTC and communicate facility capabilities to visitors.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on GRT and XR technologies at conferences and other approved events.
• Collaborate across PMOD disciplines to identify needs and deliver physical and virtual training solutions.
• Plan and execute assigned work, document outcomes, and communicate status, risks, and recommendations to stakeholders.

Supervisory Responsibilities                                            

• This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education:                                    

Bachelor's degree (B.S.) from four-year college or university in a related field and a minimum of 2 years’ experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Work experience in training, coordination, science, or engineering is a plus.   

Experience and/or Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Applied experience using 3D modeling, software-development, and hardware-development tools such as Blender, CAD, Unity3D, Articulate, or comparable applications.
• Working knowledge of learning technologies and their application in technical and immersive training environments.
• Strong project leadership, planning, troubleshooting, and customer-service skills, including the ability to manage changing priorities and coordinate across disciplines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Must be adaptable, self-directed, quick to learn, forward thinking, professional, confident, and able to solve complex problems while maintaining awareness of broader operational objectives. reports, and legal documents. 
• Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. 
• Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format. 
• Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications is required. Experience with Unity3D, C#, LabWindows/CVI, Blender, Articulate, CAD software, and related 3D modeling and additive-manufacturing tools is required or strongly preferred based on assigned duties.

Mathematical Skills                                                 

• Ability to apply advanced mathematical concepts such as exponents, logarithms, quadratic equations, and permutations. 
• Ability to apply mathematical operations to such tasks as frequency distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, analysis of variance, correlation techniques, sampling theory, and factor analysis.

Reasoning Ability                                                     

• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Computer Skills                                            

• To perform this job successfully, an individual should have the ability to use computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to create presentations and training; input data and equations; create charts and metrics; create documents; and be able to navigate through websites and tools with instruction.  Should be proficient at using the Microsoft Suite of tools.
• Proficiency with computer systems and software used to create presentations and training products; manage data, networks, servers, and computer databases; develop 3D and XR applications; and create technical documentation.

Other Essential Duties

• Follows all import/export requirements, consulting with facility import/export personnel as required.

Other Qualifications

• US Citizenship with ability to attain/maintain government security clearance.

Work location:

Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), Huntsville, Alabama, United States.