Section Manager - Technical, Maintenance and Operations- Space Systems

Company Profile

Oceaneering Space Systems (OSS) develops, integrates, and applies new and innovative technologies to meet the challenges of working in space and other harsh environments. We are ideally positioned to meet the growing needs of NASA and the expanding commercial and Department of Defense (DOD) markets.

Oceaneering Aerospace and Defense Technologies (AdTech) delivers solutions that enable humans to work safely and effectively in harsh environments – from underwater to the outer reaches of space. Our innovative solutions support the development and application of practical, cost-effective systems that meet our customers’ challenges – from routine to extreme. Our experience and expertise across multiple industries uniquely positions us as a leader in the government, space, and maritime services markets. Our products and services meet the rigorous demands of the complex environments in which they operate, delivering results without compromising safety or reliability.

Oceaneering is a global provider of engineered services and products, primarily to the offshore energy industry. We develop products and services for use throughout the lifecycle of an offshore oilfield, from drilling to decommissioning. We operate the world's premier fleet of work class ROVs. Additionally, we are a leader in offshore oilfield maintenance services, umbilicals, subsea hardware, and tooling. We also use applied technology expertise to serve the defense, entertainment, material handling, aerospace, science, and renewable energy industries.

Position Summary

Are you passionate about solving complex problems? Join our dynamic team as a Section Manager - Technical, Maintenance and Operations and become a vital contributor to support NASA as an Oceaneering Teammate on the JSC Engineering, Technology, and Science (JETS) II contract. As an integral part of our organization, you'll play a crucial role in the Technical, Maintainence and Operations section in the Operations and Test Department on the NASA JSC Engineering, Technology and Science II (JETS II) Contract.

This role will give you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the thrilling world of human spaceflight and deep space exploration programs. Your contributions will ensure that our services not only meet - but outperform all standards and expectations. As a Section Manager - Technical, Maintenance and Operations, you'll find yourself at the forefront of innovation, collaborating with a passionate team who shares your dedication to excellence. If you're seeking to immerse yourself in an environment where your skills and expertise will make a genuine impact, we invite you to join our team!

We are seeking someone with a keen eye for detail, a strong commitment to owning their work, and providing superior quality. You should be a person who thrives in a diverse environment and who is comfortable communicating at all levels of the organization. To be successful in this role, you should have a sense of genuine, engaging curiosity, and a desire for growth and continuous learning.

Someone in this role would typically have a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering and a minimum of five (5) years of experience. This position can be hired at any level in our professional career framework, depending on business need at the time of hire.

International travel may be required. Straight time overtime, 9/80 work schedule (every other Friday off), and/or 1 day of telework per week may be available

Duties And Responsibilities

Some of your major responsibilities will include:

- Lead the Technical, Maintenance, and Operations Section, ensuring the operational readiness of space environment simulation facilities. The primary goal is to exceed customer expectations for support from the NASA Crew and Thermal Systems Division (CTSD/EC), with measurable outcomes in facility availability and service delivery.

- Administer and help optimize daily operations of two supervisors leading 60+ employees, across multiple disciplines, including mechanical, electrical, calibration, data system, and altitude test technicians.

- Manage section budgets for personnel, calibration programs, and equipment with a focus on resource optimization. Actively participate in the leadership team, contributing to strategic planning and forecasting to align resource allocation with organizational priorities and performance metrics.

- Mitigate operational risks by identifying potential hazards and implementing strategies that ensure project and mission success. The goal is to minimize downtime and prevent mission-critical failures.

- Champion a culture of continuous improvement, successfully advocating for and implementing new methodologies and technologies that demonstrably enhance operational efficiency and quality. This includes leading initiatives that achieve measurable cost savings.

- Provide comprehensive people management, including all hiring, onboarding, and performance management tasks, to nsure high team performance. Ensure full compliance with EEO and CBA policies while also reviewing and approving all timecards and leave requests.

- Promote and sustain a robust safety culture by actively engaging in HSE activities. This involves coaching and mentoring employees, especially new hires, to achieve and maintain a high standard of safety practices and reduce incidents.

- Act as the primary point of contact for EC Division leadership, effectively managing additional tasks and needs to ensure organizational goals and objectives are consistently met.

- Lead root cause analysis investigations for all quality and safety escapes, ensuring timely identification of contributing factors and implementation of effective corrective actions.

- Oversee and review safety engineering deliverables, including hazard analyses, to ensure compliance and completeness for all tests conducted within the facility

- Perform other duties as required.

Qualifications

REQUIRED:

- A BS Engineering degree from an accredited engineering school and a minimum of five (5) years of related experience

- Minimum of five years of experience in a management or supervisory role, with demonstrated expertise in employee coordination, resource forecasting, and team leadership.

- Proven track record of successfully managing and leading large, diverse teams of technical staff.

- Demonstrated leadership skills in facility and manufacturing oversight.

- High degree of autonomy with the ability to manage priorities and work independently.

- Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, with a focus on effective information gathering, presentation development, and communication with both internal leadership and external customers.

- Comprehensive knowledge of, and ability to enforce, safety and health regulations, standards, and best practices in the workplace.

- Strong knowledge of safety and health standards with a proactive approach to risk identification and mitigation with proven ability to assess and manage potential hazards in a dynamic workplace.

- Exceptional organizational skills and the capacity to effectively manage multiple, complex tasks simultaneously.

- Proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook).

- Full-time, on-site presence at the Johnson Space Center (JSC) is required.

PREFERRED ;

- Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Engineering from an accredited institution with at least 10 years of direct engineering experience. A Master of Science (M.S.) degree requires 13 years of direct engineering experience, while a Ph.D. requires 9 years of direct engineering experience.

- Established familiarity with JSC's organizational structure, protocols, and workflows.

- Possesses in-depth knowledge and ensures strict adherence to all relevant safety regulations

- Background in environmental testing, preferably with prior involvement in the Crew and Thermal Systems Division (CTSD) at JSC.

- Demonstrated experience with test chamber operations and spaceflight hardware.

- Prior experience conducting tests involving human subjects.

- Experience in facilities management, including proficiency with JSC's reporting and work order systems.

- Capability to address and manage challenges within a Thermal Vacuum Testing facility.

- Experience with Microsoft Project.

- Previous leadership or management experience operating NASA JSC's EA test facilities.

- Prior experience collaborating with employees under a Union or Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

- Familiarity with the physical and medical standards of JSC's clinic, particularly regarding the workforce certification process.

- Proof of U.S. Citizenship or US Permanent Residency is a requirement for this position.

- Must be able to complete a U.S. government background investigation.

- Management has the prerogative to select at any level for which the position is advertised.

Additional Information

PAY, BENEFITS AND WORK SCHEDULE:

We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package. Employee benefits vary by role, however, may include Health and Wellness, Mental Health, Retirement Savings, Life and Disability, Paid Maternity and Parental Leave, Paid Time Off, Tuition Reimbursement, and an Employee Assistance Program.

Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified candidates will receive consideration for all positions without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other non-merit factors.

How To Apply

Regular full-time employees who apply will be considered along with external candidates. Employees with less than six months with their current position are not eligible to apply for job postings. Please discuss your interest in the position with your current manager/supervisor prior to submitting your completed application. It is highly recommended to apply through the PeopleSoft or Oceanet portals.