Operations Technician – Space Vehicle Mockup Facility

About the role

The Operations Technician supports the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility (SVMF) at Johnson Space Center, part of NASA's COSMOS contract. The role trains astronauts for human spaceflight missions such as the ISS, Commercial Crew and the Artemis/Orion program, working inside full-scale spacecraft mockups. It involves operating and maintaining Environmental Control System (ECS) and breathing-air equipment, and, after separate qualification, acting as SVMF Test Director for pressurized suited events.

Key responsibilities

• Operate, configure, inspect, troubleshoot and support breathing-air and ECS equipment within documented qualifications.
• Complete ECS Operator on-the-job training, including K-bottle installation, manifold and pressure checks, compressor-cart operation, console preparation, airflow and cooling-water control, and emergency actions.
• Verify gas purity, pressure-system certification, gauges and flowmeters, calibration and QA checks before human use.
• Maintain compressors, filters, hoses, gauges, gas monitors and related equipment, logging work outside operator scope through approved engineering processes.
• Support suited training under Test Director control and respond immediately to anomalies such as low flow or pressure, loss of air source, contamination or medical emergencies.
• After Test Director qualification, run event briefings, verify readiness, direct pressurized events and place them on hold or terminate them when needed for safety.
• Coordinate with suit technicians, engineers, instructors, communications and facility management, and keep checklists, qualification and maintenance records.
• Support multiple suited-program configurations (ISS, CST/Boeing, Orion, EHP) and maintain qualification currency through training and drills.
• Use forklifts, manlifts, cranes and other equipment only when individually qualified and endorsed.

Required profile

• High school diploma or equivalent and at least 2 years of operations/maintenance or related technical experience; Technician III normally needs 8 years.
• Able to read and follow technical procedures, checklists, schematics and emergency actions without skipping steps.
• Able to obtain a NASA PIV badge and complete the SVMF orientation, ECS Console OJT, CPR/First Aid, pressure-systems and gas-monitor training, and program-specific ECS certifications.
• Test Director qualification requires the SVMF Test Director training and a successful oral board.
• Willingness to support scheduled events, drills and occasional off-shift or weekend work.
• Physical ability to lift up to 50 lbs, stand, kneel and bend for long periods, and work near pressurized systems.

Required skills

• ECS and breathing-air equipment operation and maintenance.
• Pressure and flow systems awareness, instrumentation and gas monitoring.
• Preferred: current or prior Test Director or ECS/Breathing Air Cart Operator certification, and experience with K-bottle racks, compressor carts and suit-control equipment.
• Preferred: Office 365 tools and electronic training/maintenance documentation systems.

What we offer

• Expected pay of $78k-$100k, starting at $88k, depending on experience, education and certifications.
• Health, dental and vision insurance, paid time off and holidays, retirement benefits including 401(k) matching, parental leave, employee stock purchase plan, pet insurance and educational reimbursement.