Technical Operations Engineer Intern

Virginia Spaceport Authority Internship Program gives students the chance to apply their education to real-world challenges through meaningful, hands-on projects.  Top candidates are well-rounded students from a variety of backgrounds who demonstrate inquisitiveness, team-orientation, excellence, and resilience.  At the time you apply for this announcement, you must be a degree seeking student who is enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an accredited educational institution on at least a half-time basis.

SUMMARY 

General Description: Under supervision, with general direction and oversight, this position primarily supports the technical oversight of assigned engineered systems. Support areas include cryogenic, pneumatic, fuel, electrical, control, hydraulic, structural, HVAC, and water systems. 

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

1. Works directly with customers, support contractors, and VCSFA technical staff in a team environment.
2. Assists with developing system operations, testing, maintenance procedures, engineering work packages for hazardous operations, system drawings, trouble-shooting plans, certification documentation, system performance metrics, and documents required by MARS operational directives.
3. Assists with developing and maintaining operational system parameters, including commodity levels in relation to operational requirements; spares critical for flight and maintenance, sampling and system cleanliness, outage requests and tracking, system configuration control, and producing weekly status reports.
4. Monitors and provides recommendations to increase operating efficiency, performance, safety, and reliability.
5. Assists with developing Materials for Change Configuration Board (CCB) and Design Reviews, provides input on engineering processes, and develops and maintains an in-depth technical and resource on the assigned system(s).
6. Continuously develops a practical understanding of the launch pad systems.
7. With supervision, monitors and performs fieldwork on the assignment), and coordinates with other internal groups, including QA, Safety, and the Pad Manager.
8. Attends formal training as needed to pursue required certifications.
9. Ensures completion of tasks safely and efficiently within the allocated budget/schedule, provides task workload estimates and required resources, provides requirements for task incorporation into the workflow, and complies with all Pad Management, Quality, Documentation, and Safety Policies.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS 

General Education  

College: Current enrollment in an associate or bachelor’s degree program from an accredited college or university

Major: Project Management, Public Administration, Business, Engineering, or Science 

Job-Related Experience:  

• Position requires a strong general engineering background.  
• Experience with pneumatic, cryogenic, hydraulic, and other liquid and control systems preferred. 

Certifications: N/A 

Licenses, etc.: Valid driver's license is necessary while operating a vehicle while on agency business. Must be able to transport themselves to MARS and its facilities (located on Virginia’s Eastern Shore near Wallops Island, VA).

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT 

Knowledge:  

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret standard scientific and technical journals, financial 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.  

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.  

Ability to apply logical or scientific thinking principles to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems. Ability to deal with nonverbal symbolism (formulas, scientific equations, graphs, musical notes, etc.) in its most difficult phases. Ability to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables. 

Skills: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:  

• Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs workflows and procedures. Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents ideas and information to get others' attention.
• Design - Generates creative solutions; Translates concepts and information into images; Uses feedback to modify designs; Applies design principles; Demonstrates attention to detail.
• Problem-Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem-solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Project Management - Develops project plans; Coordinates projects; Communicates changes and progress; Completes projects on time and budget; Manages project team activities.
• Technical Skills - Assesses strengths and weaknesses; Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to build knowledge and skills continuously; Shares expertise with others.
  
• Client Focus - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Response to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.
  
•  Client Focus - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Response to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.
• Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.
• Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.
• Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.
• Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed. Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.
• Visionary Leadership - Displays passion and optimism; Inspires respect and trust; mobilizes others to fulfill the vision; Provides vision and inspiration to peers and subordinates.
• Change Management - Develops workable implementation plans; Communicates changes effectively; Builds commitment and overcomes resistance; Prepares and supports those affected by change; Monitors transition and evaluates results.
• Leadership - Exhibits confidence in self and others; Inspires and motivates others to perform well; effectively influences actions and opinions of others; Accepts feedback from others; Gives appropriate recognition to others.
• Quality Management - Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
• Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; supports organization's goals and values.
• Judgment - Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.
• Motivation - Sets and achieves challenging goals; Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; Measures self against standard of excellence; Takes calculated risks to accomplish goals.
• Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; Develops realistic action plans.
• Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.
• Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.
• Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.
• Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan. Is consistently at work and on time; Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; Arrives at meetings and appointments on time.
• Initiative - Volunteers readily; Undertakes self-development activities; Seeks increased responsibilities; Takes independent actions and calculated risks; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed.
• Innovation - Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents ideas and information to get others' attention.

Abilities: Ability to communicate well verbally and in writing; work effectively with other agency staff and vendors; manage multiple tasks; consistently meet deadlines; participate in short and long-range planning for the agency in Information Technology – Networking and Security. 

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.  

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear.  

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. 

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here represent those employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.  

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and risk of electrical shock. The employee is frequently exposed to the risk of radiation and vibration.  

The work environment involves significant risks with exposure to potentially dangerous or extremely adverse conditions which require a range of safety and other precautions, e.g., fieldwork on launch pads, near high-pressure and cryogenic systems, and near extremely energetic materials.  

The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions (non-weather); working near moving mechanical parts; outdoor weather conditions; extreme cold (non-weather), and extreme heat (non-weather  

The noise level in the work environment is usually loud. 

Must be able to obtain and maintain eligibility for issuance of a NASA credential. 

Must be able to pass a pre-employment background check and drug test.