NASA Space Vehicle Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) / Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) / Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Systems Engineer

About the role

• Job Category: Engineering
• Time Type: Full time
• Minimum Clearance Required to Start: NACI
• Employee Type: Regular
• Percentage of Travel Required: Up to 10%
• Type of Travel: Continental US

The Opportunity

CACI is looking for a Space Vehicle Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) / Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Systems Engineer with an Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) specialty to join the EMI/EMC Test and Analysis Team at NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX. Strong candidates will have academic backgrounds in a related field with significant professional experience in electromagnetics and electrostatic discharge analysis.

As a member of the EMI/EMC team technical staff, the engineer will support a variety of current and future space vehicle assignments based on specific experience in the EMI/EMC field. The selected candidate will serve as an EMI/EMC domain expert performing and coordinating EMI/EMC systems engineering efforts on an array of human spaceflight programs including the International Space Station (ISS), Orion, and Moon Base.

Additional assignments include performing vehicle-level electromagnetic analyses such as grounding and shielding assessments, to ensure spacecraft EMC compliance. The candidate will also assist in planning and executing system-level EMI tests, while guiding programs on requirement allocation and Verification and Validation (V&V) from initial architecture through final flight certification.

Preferred qualifications include deep Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) risk mitigation knowledge, specifically concerning orbital spacecraft charging analysis, vehicle level charging pathway, surface potentials, and materials evaluation, to act as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) who will lead ESD requirements across multiple NASA projects.

This position requires a self-motivated, capable person with strong verbal and written communication skills.

In addition to outstanding academic performance, the individual must be very people savvy, have strong customer relationship skills, possess a positive team-player attitude, be flexible and willing to take on new assignments and responsibilities as they arise, and be an articulate speaker able to communicate complex technical ideas in a convincing manner.

The individual must share our passion for our Nation's Space Program and share in the excitement of developing the next generation of human-rated space vehicles.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate directly with cross-functional teams and product managers to integrate EMI/EMC and ESD considerations, during early product development.
• Lead failure investigations to resolve test discrepancies and anomalies, developing required electrical/electronic design changes or requirement tailoring recommendations.
• Participate in design reviews, customer acceptance reviews, test readiness reviews, and other program reviews; develop milestone review documentation, as needed.
• Assist with the design, implementation, and operation of the EMI Test Laboratory including high voltage discharge testing, plasma chamber testing, triboelectric charge measurements, and ESD characterization testing.
• Lead ESD requirement definition across diverse projects, applying deep technical knowledge of in-orbit spacecraft charging environments, including surface charging, internal charging, differential potentials, plasma interactions, and discharge event risk.
• Evaluate materials for charge accumulation, dissipation, and susceptibility to ESD, including coatings, polymers, composites, thermal blankets, and wiring insulation.
• Perform complex electromagnetic, Radio Frequency (RF), and signal integrity analyses using software tools such as MATLAB, correlate and validate EMC simulation software models against empirical, measured test laboratory data to ensure predictive accuracy.
• Develop and validate electrostatic models to support design, verification, and certification of space vehicles, and ground vehicles using Ansys Charge Plus (EMA-3D Charge), Ansys HFSS, LT-Spice, NASCAP Spacecraft Charging Software or similar tools.
• Stay updated on the latest advancements in electromagnetic modeling and simulation techniques, tools, and standards.
• Develop comprehensive test plans and procedures to evaluate hardware components and subsystems for EMC emissions and susceptibility; assist in executing specialized testing, including ESD and magnetic field strength assessments.

Additional information

This work takes place at NASA/JSC in Houston, TX, a highly stimulating and dynamic environment that is critical in human space flight and the space exploration initiative.

Qualifications

Required

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident for access to USG facilities.
• B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Materials Engineering, or Physics, or related disciplines with a focus on electromagnetics.
• Minimum of 5 years of EMI/EMC design and test experience involving circuit theory and electromagnetic theories including RF design, electrostatic discharge model analysis, materials evaluation, vehicle level electrostatic risk assessments, cable shielding, magnetics, antennas, and filters. Experience exceeding the minimum is valued.
• Previous work experience with MIL-STD-461, MIL-STD-464, RTCA/DO-160, NASA-STD-4003, or similar standards.
• Knowledge of performing EMI/EMC tests such as conducted susceptibility, conducted emissions, radiated susceptibility, and radiated emissions.
• Knowledge of EMI/EMC requirements and test methodology.
• Knowledge of spacecraft charging in orbit, electrostatic risks, and mitigation strategies such as bonding schemes, conductive coatings, passivation techniques, and operational constraints.
• Familiarization with test hardware like EMC receivers and spectrum analyzers.
• Must be flexible, open to new challenges in a dynamic environment, and possess strong technical expertise combined with verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities with little supervision.
• Must be a highly responsible, team-oriented individual with strong work ethic.
• Must have highly developed coordination and organization skills.

Desired

• M.S. or Ph. D. in Physics, Materials or Electrical Engineering with thesis in electromagnetics, with professional work experience in the field.
• International Association for Radio, Telecommunications and Electromagnetics (iNARTE) Certification.
• What You Can Expect:

• A culture of integrity.
• At CACI, we place character and innovation at the center of everything we do. As a valued team member, you’ll be part of a high-performing group dedicated to our customer’s missions and driven by a higher purpose – to ensure the safety of our nation.
• An environment of trust.

CACI values the unique contributions that every employee brings to our company and our customers - every day. You’ll have the autonomy to take the time you need through a unique flexible time off benefit and have access to robust learning resources to make your ambitions a reality.

• A focus on continuous growth.
• Together, we will advance our nation's most critical missions, build on our lengthy track record of business success, and find opportunities to break new ground — in your career and in our legacy.

Pay Range

There are a host of factors that can influence final salary including, but not limited to, geographic location, Federal Government contract labor categories and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, education, and certifications. Our employees value the flexibility at CACI that allows them to balance quality work and their personal lives.

We offer competitive compensation, benefits and learning and development opportunities. Our broad and competitive mix of benefits options is designed to support and protect employees and their families. At CACI, you will receive comprehensive benefits such as; healthcare, wellness, financial, retirement, family support, continuing education, and time off benefits.

The proposed salary range for this position is

$76,000 - 155,700 USD