PDR Czar Lead (#3699860)

Position Description Summary

APT Research is hiring a full-time PDR Czar Lead in Huntsville, AL to develop and maintain the MAVIS PDR campaign schedule and ensuring all subsystem reviews, tabletop discussions, and major milestones align with program objectives.

APT is an employee-owned engineering services company specializing in conducting safety analyses for the U.S. Government. APT offers competitive salaries, advancement opportunities that match your professional development interest, and excellent benefits including being voted as the best place for working parents. Our employees are owners, each share in the commitment to deliver safe, reliable, and innovative Analysis, Planning, & Test Solutions and services that exceed expectations, build employee pride of ownership, and optimize shareholder value.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain the MAVIS PDR campaign schedule, ensuring all subsystem reviews, tabletop discussions, and major milestones align with program objectives
• Define and enforce PDR entry/exit criteria, ensuring design maturity meets NASA-STD-7009, NPR 7123.1, and mission assurance guidelines
• Coordinate and facilitate PDR technical interchange meetings (TIMs), peer reviews, and formal design board presentations
• Coordinate and facilitate PDR technical interchange meetings (TIMs), peer reviews, and formal design board presentations
• Ensure timely development, submission, and review of PDR artifacts, including design reports, trade studies, risk assessments, and verification plans
• Establish and track the Design Maturity Index (DMI) metric to assess the readiness of each MAV subsystem for PDR
• Serve as the primary liaison between subsystem leads, NASA review boards, and MAVIS leadership to ensure alignment on review expectations

Required Experience/Education

• Bachelor's degree in a related field
• 10 years of experience in aerospace system design, systems engineering, or technical program management
• Proven experience leading or coordinating PDR/CDR or major technical reviews on NASA, DoD, or aerospace programs
• Strong knowledge of NASA Systems Engineering standards, spaceflight development processes, and technical review criteria
• Experience with establishing and monitoring a TPM such as Design Maturity Index (DMI) to track closure design review readiness

Security Clearance Requirement:

• Must be a U.S citizen with the ability to obtain a SECRET clearance if needed

Preferred Experience:

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment
• Systems engineering experience in space systems, launch vehicles, or deep-space missions.
• Previous experience supporting Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV), Mars Sample Return (MSR), or Artemis programs
• Knowledge of launch vehicle development, propulsion, avionics, or space systems integration
• Experience managing high-visibility technical reviews with NASA HQ or major aerospace contractors

Essential Job Functions:

Work Environment:

• Office environment
• Requires ability to provide clear, concise, accurate, and timely communication, both verbally and written
• Ability to interact professionally with coworkers, management, and customers

Travel Requirements:

• Requires ability to travel domestically (within the U.S.) <10%

Physical Requirements:

• Requires sitting for extended periods of time at a workstation / desk
• Ability to lift >15 lbs.

Other Essential Functions:

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, make rational decisions, and to exercise good judgement
• Work attire must be appropriate for the position and must not impose a safety risk / hazard to the employee or others

EOE/Veterans/Disabled

A-P-T Research, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in its job application procedures. If you have any difficulty using our online system and you need an accommodation due to a disability, you may use the following email address, hr@apt-research.com and/or phone number (256.327.3373) to contact us about your interest in employment with A-P-T Research, Inc.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, military status, participation in protected activity (such as requesting job-protected leave, or some covered accommodation), pregnancy, protected veteran status or protected leave status (or use of protected leave), race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law. A-P-T Research, Inc. participates in E-Verify.