Facility Safety Head

Sierra Lobo, offers customers a full range of professional and technical capabilities, including Test and Evaluation, Systems Engineering, and Advanced Technologies.  We also develop products and processes related to Cryogenic Fluid and Thermal Management Systems, Densified Propellant Management Systems, and Prototype Extreme Pressure and Temperature Systems.  Our customers include the Department of Defense (DoD), the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, Missile Defense Agency (MDA), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

This position will be located at NASA’s Langley Research Center.

EOE/Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran

The successful candidate will join the Facility Operations team to support the Center Maintenance, Operations, and Engineering Contract (CMOE) located at NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC). This position reports directly to the Chief Engineer - Facility Safety Head supervisor. All work will be performed with a high standard of quality and professionalism. All safety policies and procedures must be followed.

Responsibilities

Qualified candidate must quickly become familiar with all aspects of the operation of a large high-speed wind tunnel complex and perform all duties related to a Facility Safety Head (FSH) position. This facility assesses conventional performance for high-speed tests of powered and unpowered models of various fixed- wing civil and military aircraft, missiles, rockets, and capsules in supersonic flight conditions. In addition to testing operations, must become familiar with the tunnel plant systems which include large compressors, vacuum pumps, and drive motors, and smaller support equipment.

High-speed wind tunnel operation responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Employing systems engineering techniques that result in safe operation of the facility, to preclude facility and test article damage and/or injury to personnel
• Maintaining configuration control of all facility systems
• Review and approve all facility designs and modifications, test procedures and revisions
• Approve training records and the facility resume
• Provide control of safety interlock systems
• Conduct monthly safety meetings and quarterly inspections
• Represent facility to NASA and contractor safety programs
• Monitor and ensure the proper use of safety permits when necessary
• Maintain the facility laser certifications
• Work with the facility environmental coordinator to ensure compliance with policies
• Potentially serve as the alternate FSH for one or more other test facilities at LaRC

The test facility often requires use of specific systems, media, and test techniques to produce one-off approaches to solve complex problems associated with model integration, measurement application, and operational configurations. Safety must be integrated into all operations, which may utilize these and other systems:

• High pressure air
• High pressure gases
• Large air vacuum systems
• High pressure hydraulic systems
• High voltage, both AC and DC
• Pressurized quartz lamps
• High energy laser-based measurement systems

Qualifications
U.S. Citizenship required. Two (2) years of college with courses in engineering or associated disciplines, and eight (8) to fourteen (14) years of related experience. Additional relevant education may be substituted for a portion of the experience. Communication skills, both oral and written, should be commensurate with the position. Demonstrate ability to lead and direct work of others. Position requires specialized and extensive knowledge of engineering principles gained through long and varied work experience in field of specialty.

Strong background in facility system safety and in mechanical and electrical system analysis required. Familiarity with aeronautics, NASA operations, Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), Root Cause Analysis, personnel training and configuration management is preferred.

Essential Functions

Work Environment

• Office Environment (40%)
• Test/Industrial Operations (50%) - May be exposed to high noise levels, safety hazards, hazardous materials, and chemicals. Appropriate PPE and training will be provided for all conditions.
• Travel between facilities and during test operations required and may bring exposure to loud noise and potentially hazardous equipment operation (10%)

Physical Requirements

• Visual and physical (hands on) contact of test related systems, hardware and articles (100%)
• Must be able to walk, stand, bend, twist and sit for extended periods as well as climb, crawl, and lift up to 35 lbs. (20%)
• Ability to distinguish basic colors (10%)
• Corrected vision and hearing at all times (100%)
• Must be able to use the following (with appropriate training/certifications and provided personal protective equipment)
• Platform or A-frame ladders up to 12 Ft.
• Extension ladders up to 24 Ft.
• Personal or one-man aerial lifts up to 30 Ft.
• Articulating or boom aerial lifts up to 35 Ft.

Equipment and Machines

• Standard office equipment (PC, MS Office Suite or equivalent, telephone, fax, etc.) (10%)
• Safety and personal protective equipment (75%)
• Drive a car (15%)

Attendance
Regular attendance mandatory (100%)

• Occasional overtime/work outside normal schedule may be required (<20%)
• Travel required (<5%)

Other Essential Functions

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• A valid driver’s license is required.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• Must be able to work in a team atmosphere.
• Must put forward a professional behavior that enhances productivity and promotes teamwork and cooperation.
• Grooming and dress must be appropriate for the position and must not impose a safety/risk hazard to the employee or others.
• The work environment requires the ability to cooperate and work with individuals at all levels of the company and the client.
• CMOE employees will exercise diligence when developing a Safe Plan of Action (SPA) for each task performed. The SPA is a Company provided tool to be used for the prevention of incidents, accidents and injuries.