Pressure Systems Certification Engineer

The Pressure Systems Certification Engineer will support the space program at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) Safety and Mission Assurance (SMA) initiatives in Huntsville, Alabama. This role focuses on engineering analysis, certification, and strategic support for ground-based Pressure Vessels and Systems (PVS) to ensure compliance and safety in aerospace projects. The engineer will augment the NASA workforce, contributing to mission success by preventing injuries and protecting equipment. Work will primarily be at MSFC, with potential support at other NASA sites or contractor locations, and occasional travel.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Prepare, coordinate, and participate in walkdown inspections to gather data and evaluate the condition of PVS components, piping, tubing, and vessels, including indoor/outdoor settings, elevated heights, and confined spaces.


• Perform engineering analysis to support PVS certification or re-certification, complying with NASA requirements, national consensus standards (e.g., ASME BPVC Section VIII, B31, API, NBIC, CGA, DOT, ASTM), and Voluntary Consensus Standards. Analyses include relief valve flow calculations, pressure vessel fatigue assessments, ASME code calculations, remaining life assessments, API-579/ASME FFS-1 fitness-for-service evaluations, and NASGRO fracture and fatigue crack growth analysis using software like PV Elite, COMPRESS, or equivalent.


• Develop and deliver formal Pressure Systems Certification Reports, including observations, deficiencies, non-compliances, recommendations, and documentation verifying system safety and compliance.


• Provide support to develop strategies for PVS certification, disposition of non-compliances/deficiencies, program initiatives to improve certification processes, work practices, hazard mitigation, and methods for retaining expertise in pressure systems.


• Maintain PVS program documentation, electronic data, and weekly work tracking in government systems like the Pressure Systems Reporting Tool (PSRT), SharePoint, or other designated databases, ensuring accuracy, currency, and accessibility.


• Prepare and submit annual Pressure Vessels/Systems Inspection Plans and Completion Reports.


• Communicate frequently with Pressure Systems Technicians, other Engineers, Technical Leads, NASA Pressure Systems Managers, system owners/users, supervisors, and management via in-person meetings, email, phone, and Microsoft Teams.


• Participate in surveillance and analysis of assigned activities utilizing NASA/MSFC Safety, Reliability, Maintainability, and Quality Assurance (SRM&QA) policies; provide timely management assessment information on hazards and risks to support decision-making.


• Comply with all safety, health, environmental, and security protocols, including handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in accordance with NPR 2810.7, obtaining Facility Security Clearance, and adhering to MSFC security regulations (e.g., NPR 1600.1, HSPD-12).


• Prepare and ensure completion of work authorizing documentation, such as Test Preparation Sheets (TPS), to direct inspections and NDE/NDT activities.


• Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED:

This position has been posted at multiple levels (must meet minimum level indicated). Depending on the candidate's experience, requirements, and business needs, we reserve the right to consider candidates at any level for which this position has been advertised.

• Requires U.S. Citizenship due to the sensitivity of customer-related information.


• Must have a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.


• Must have 5 years of recent and related work experience in pressure systems engineering or certification.


• General knowledge of pressure systems components (e.g., valves, regulators, gauges, relief valves), their functions, and the ability to identify them in-field.


• Proficiency in national consensus standards and codes relevant to PVS, such as ASME, API, DOT, CGA, ASTM, and NBIC.


• Strong analytical skills for engineering assessments, including fatigue analysis, code calculations, remaining life assessments, and fitness-for-service evaluations.


• Experience using engineering software tools like PV Elite, COMPRESS, or equivalent for pressure vessel analysis.


• Ability to read and understand drawings, specifically P&IDs.


• Proficiency in documentation and data management using databases like PSRT, or SharePoint, and preparing detailed reports in agreed formats satisfying NASA and industry standards.


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for preparing reports, recommendations, and collaborating with diverse personnel (e.g., office workers, engineers, technicians, scientists).


• Ability to obtain and maintain a Facility Security Clearance and comply with NASA security requirements (e.g., NPR 1600.1, HSPD-12).


• Commitment to safety, teamwork, integrity, and mission success in a high-stakes aerospace environment.

DESIRED:

• Prior experience in NASA or aerospace projects, particularly with MSFC, high-reliability environments, or ground-based pressure systems programs.


• Familiarity with NASA-specific PVS standards, tools like SafeSuite for certification tracking, and pressure vessel or component manufacturing processes.


• API 510 or API 570 certification.


• Experience performing API-579/FFS-1 Fitness for Service evaluations.


• Experience with NASGRO Fracture Mechanics and Fatigue software.


• Strong project management skills for coordinating assessments and reporting in a dynamic, multi-site setting, including occasional travel to offsite locations (e.g., SSC, KSC, or contractor facilities in CA or UT).

WORK LOCATION:

• This position is located onsite and offers a 9/80 schedule with every other Friday off; some travel may be required.


• Schedules are subject to change based on the requirements of the position and/or customer needs.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS REQUIRED:

All Bastion employees must be able to pass a national agency check and some positions require clearance and will require an extensive background verification/check process.

DRUG AND ALCOHOL SCREENING REQUIRED:

All Bastion employees must be able to pass a pre-employment drug screen and are required to participate in periodic random drug and alcohol screenings.

STANDARD BASTION REQUIREMENTS:

• Must have experience with Microsoft Office Suite, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and TEAMS.


• All of Bastion's employees must be team players with strong work ethics and must be culture oriented.


• Able to communicate effectively, verbally and in written form, with internal and external customers.


• Able to follow company programs, processes, procedures, practices, requirements, goals, and objectives.


• Must be organized with good time management skills and must be able to work outside normal schedule and adjust schedule to meet peak periods and surge requirements.


• Generally, an office environment, but can involve inside or outside work depending on the task.


• Work may involve sitting or standing for extended periods (90% of the time) and may require lifting and carrying up to 25 lbs. (5% of the time).


• Regular attendance in accordance with an established work schedule is critical.

BASTION BENEFITS:

Bastion offers a wide range of benefits for their full-time employees; medical, prescription, dental, vision, AD&D, disability benefits, life insurance, retirement 401k, vacation, sick pay, holidays, flexible work schedules (when available), along with many other options. We also support career advancement through professional training and development.

ABOUT BASTION:

Bastion offers career opportunities with competitive benefits, exciting possibilities for advancement, and an exceptional work environment; the well-being of our employees is a priority, and our flexibility allows our employees a great work life balance. Our culture is based on strong business ethics, integrity, and professionalism. Our team members are known for their initiative and high-quality work. When it comes to our employees, we value, respect, and help them grow in their careers.

WORKPLACE EXCELLENCE:

At Bastion, we are passionate about our people and our safety culture. Individual thoughts, opinions, and perspectives bring value and help us develop solutions for challenging problems, they make us more inventive, and more resilient.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.

Bastion participates in e-Verify.

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