Trajectory Operations Officer TOPO
Trajectory Operations Officer TOPO
Posted on :
11-04-2025
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1 Vacancy
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Job Description
Title: Trajectory Operations Officer (TOPO)
Location: Johnson Space Center TX
Clearance: National Agency Check and Inquiries (NACI) with ability to obtain a Security Clearance
Citizenship Requirement: US
Req #: 3827
Salary: $73000
This is an ONSITE role.
June 30th Start date.
Summary: Craig Technologies has an opening for a Trajectory Operations and Planning Officer (TOPO) at Johnson Space Center TX. This position is responsible to processes International Space Station (ISS) orbit determination data (state vectors) from multiple sources daily for the ISS Visiting Vehicles Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) and orbital debris. The TOPO console coordinates and monitors the of all ISS translation maneuvers performing debris avoidance maneuver planning as required. In the office environment they generate the data used to predict the location of the ISS for long term planning and short term including altitude strategy. TOPO operations support includes the development and maintenance of operations products such as flight rules console procedures and technical references.
Detailed Description:
The TOPO employee will be required to support or lead certain technical analyses relating to trajectory operations as appropriate. Once certified as a TOPO the candidate will be expected to participate in the training of other TOPO candidates. The TOPO employee would also be responsible for coordinating with the ISS Program International Partners and commercial vendors on new vehicle design and operations.
The employees primary job responsibility will be to attain certification as a TOPO and support missions and training simulations from the TOPO console. During missions and training simulations the employee must be able to support a flexible work week (shift work) as early morning late evening weekend and holiday work may be required to support realtime mission support schedules. This position provides 24/7/365 oncall support with 24/7 support during dynamic events (ISS extravehicular activity (EVA) ISS translation maneuvers (ISS reboosts/deboosts) debris avoidance evaluation and maneuvers visiting vehicle dock/undock CubeSat deployments).
As part of the flight controller certification process the employee must be able to pass a standard flight physical conducted onsite by a NASA Flight Surgeon. When deemed necessary by the NASA Flight Surgeon the employee may be asked to seek a specialized medical evaluation via the employees medical healthcare network before concluding the flight physical process. For preexisting or newly identified medical conditions the employee may be asked to provide proof of a medical treatment plan to the NASA Flight Surgeon as part of the flight physical process. Note some medical conditions may be required to be evaluated by the NASA Medical Advisory Board as part of the flight physical process.
Due to the potential to be privileged with sensitive data the employee will also be required to undergo a Tier 3 background investigation and be favorably adjudicated with a security clearance.
In addition to the TOPO responsibilities noted earlier the following but not limited to are typical TOPO duties:
Training for and/or maintaining flight controller certification through individual study proficiency examination and/or generic/missionspecific simulated environment.
Supporting the training of other TOPO trainees.
Developing training lessons and presentations.
Interfacing with NASA customer daily as well as many other technical and engineering organizations.
Representing the TOPO at different NASA panels boards and working groups.
Supporting a multitude of meetings and concisely reporting notable and actionable results to management. Note in some cases facilitating one or more meetings and taking minutes or summarizing the meeting.
Writing and reviewing flight rules operational interface procedures console procedure cue cards system briefs and other needed operational documentation.
Creating and quality assuring relatable mission data products for internal and external customers
Developing software requirements for and testing console situational awareness tools data production tools and/or analysis tools.
Performing analysis trade studies running trajectory simulations and interpreting performance data. Note this may include modifying Python or Freeflyer scripts and running them in a Linux environment
Making oral presentations.
Position Requirements:
- A Bachelor of Science in Engineering (ABET) Math or Physics. This is an entrylevel position for candidates having 04 years of relatable experience. The ideal candidate is an Aerospace Engineer with a sound understanding of (and passion for) orbital/celestial mechanics and spacecraft flight dynamics.
- Education or experience with basic engineering orbital/celestial mechanics and spacecraft flight dynamics realtime spacecraft trajectory system design analysis and/or operations is highly desired.
- Education or experience with Linux shell scripting Python or commercial offtheshelf tools such as Matlab and/or FreeFlyer is also highly desired.
- Knowledge of engineering principles and the ability to apply them to realtime operations is essential. The candidate must be able to make quick effective judgement especially under pressure the ability to put things in perspective weigh options assess relevant information anticipate any consequence good or bad; AND have an unfaltering ability to think clearly and a capacity to compartmentalize and set stress aside.
- The candidate should possess and demonstrate excellent soft skills (intangible and nontechnical abilities) in communication selfmotivation teamwork problemsolving leadership time management flexibility and negotiation/conflict resolution.
- The candidate must have the demonstrative ability to create collect organize synthesize and analyze data; summarize findings develop conclusions and recommendations from appropriate data sources.
- The candidate must be able to work in a dynamic environment and work effectively both alone and as part of a team.
- The candidate must be able to build and maintain respectful and inclusive working relationships with individual project team members and customers to foster an environment of cooperation and productivity.
- The candidate must have a demonstrated ability to plan lead and coordinate a wide range of tasks be organized and have good administrative skills.
- The candidate must possess the ability and willingness to attain an ISS TOPO flight control certification. The candidate must pass a standard flight controller physical examination.
- The candidates must be able to apply for and successfully receive and maintain a security clearance per eligibility requirements.
- The candidate must be able to travel as needed (low percentage) to support the occasional technical forum or backup control center (BCC) support.
- List any required Security Clearances and/or Certifications if applicable
- Must Pass a NASA Background Check
- Must be able to obtain a Security Clearance
- Must be a US Citizen
Craig Technologies is an EEO Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex national origin age disability genetics or any other nonjobrelated protected status. All candidates selected will be subject to a security background investigation and must meet all eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
Required Experience:
Unclear Seniority
Employment Type
Full Time
Key Skills
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