Department: College of Science
Classification: Post Doc 12 month
Job Category: Postdoctoral Faculty
Job Type: Full-Time
Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)
Location: Fairfax, VA
Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible
Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa
sponsorship
Salary: Salary commensurate with education and
experience
Restricted: Yes
Criminal Background Check: Yes
About the Department:
George Mason University (GMU), a Carnegie Research I institution,
is Virginia’s largest and most diverse university with more
than 38,000 students. Located in Fairfax, Virginia, Mason is part
of the Washington DC metropolitan area offering easy access to the
scientific and political resources of the nation’s capital.
George Mason University is committed to advancing inclusion,
access, and equal opportunity throughout our community. We believe
that a broad range of voices, cultures, and perspectives brings
vibrancy, innovation, and growth to an academic community.
The Landolt Mission team is responsible for developing and
executing a NASA space-based mission through coordinated work
across science, payload, spacecraft bus, software, systems
engineering, integration and test, mission assurance, and project
management functions. The unit provides an interdisciplinary
research and training environment for faculty, postdoctoral
researchers, engineers, staff, and students working collaboratively
with federal, academic, commercial, and other external partners.
The Landolt Mission team supports mission formulation, systems
engineering, subsystem coordination, technical trade studies,
requirements development, verification and validation planning,
assembly, integration and testing, technical documentation, mission
reviews, and mission operations planning. The unit works
collaboratively across payload, spacecraft bus, software, ground
systems, mission operations, science, and programmatic interfaces
to advance mission objectives and meet NASA requirements.
Statement on Building an All-Inclusive Culture: George Mason
University College of Science (Mason Science) is committed to
advancing inclusive excellence and fostering an environment free
from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation throughout our
STEM community. At Mason Science, our values include cultivating an
organizational culture that promotes belonging, respect, and
civility. We believe that varied opinions, cultures, and
perspectives are what provides vibrancy, innovation, and growth to
an academic community. By prioritizing cultural responsiveness in
academics, teaching, research, and global engagement, we strive to
attract faculty and staff who exemplify the Mason Science mission
and vision.
About the Position:
This position is sponsored by the NASA Landolt mission. The Mission
Software Engineer (SE) duties include (at a different level of
involvement and responsibility):
- Contribute to all aspects of mission software design and
development, including creating, reviewing, testing, verifying,
documenting, and integrating code as part of the mission software
team.;
Participate in documentation, integration, and testing
of elements of mission software alongside personnel from other
mission teams, including the payload team, the bus hardware team,
and systems engineering team.;
Perform data collection, analysis, and simulation studies as
needed to predict, verify, and analyze functions of the mission
software. Communicate key outcomes and findings to other members
and leadership of the Landolt Mission;
Document activities for the Landolt Mission through mission
reviews, mission reports, mission documentation, and technical
publications in a manner consistent with space-based projects and
published results in professional scientific journals;
Work collaboratively and effectively in a team environment
composed of scientists, engineers, students, project management and
support staff at multiple institutions, and federal, academic and
commercial partners; and
Foster a culture of engagement, diversity,
inclusiveness, excellence and innovation. Champion GMU’s commitment
to Access, Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion to create an
inclusive and welcoming environment that promotes a commitment to
safety, integrity, and teamwork.
Responsibilities:
Mission Software Development
- Generate, debug, and integrate code leading to the delivery of
a flight-ready mission software package;
- Assist in software testing, verification, and integration;
and
- Comply with NASA space systems requirements and
procedures.
Reporting and Coordinating
- Assist in the writing and production of formal technical
reports, progress reports, and reviews for NASA (e.g. PDR, CDR,
TRR, FRR, ORR) in a manner consistent with NASA’s documentation
requirements, standards and guidelines (e.g. NPR 7120.5/8);
- Write or co-write papers for professional journals and
conferences;
- Attend meetings with sponsors and collaborators,
federal, commercial and academic partners, when necessary,
occasionally requiring travel outside of the DC metropolitan area;
and
- Assist in the pursuit of new and continued GMU Space Center
projects and funding support (e.g. new, extended, and follow-on
missions/projects).
Required Qualifications:
- Terminal degree in Computer/Software Engineering, Aerospace
Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field with emphasis on
space systems development;
- Experience producing working code in a relevant language (C,
Python, JavaScript, etc.).; and
- Familiarity with industry best practices in software
development.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with hybrid missions, operations planning, space
hardware, rad-hard electronics, embedded system development, and/or
NASA procedures and practices;
- Experience in practical software design, development,
and testing including hardware systems or embedded systems is
desirable;
- Familiarity with software development process in space mission
context, including knowledge of or experience with NASA procedures
and practices (or procedures and practices for other spacefaring
organizations); and
- Knowledge of space environment, spacecraft subsystems, or
optical payloads - especially laser systems.
Instructions to Applicants:
For full consideration, applicants must apply for
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Mission Software
Engineer at
https://jobs.gmu.edu/.
Complete and submit the online application to include three
professional references with contact information, and provide a CV
with a Statement of Interest and Experience for review.
Posting Open Date: October 7, 2026
For Full Consideration, Apply by: December 1, 2026
Open Until Filled: Yes
Mason Ad Statement
George Mason University is a nationally ranked R1 research
university committed to creating a more just, free, and prosperous
world. With 40,000 enrolled students, George Mason is the largest
and most diverse public research university in Virginia, offering
degree programs at the master's, doctoral, and professional level,
along with certificates and credentials.
George Mason fosters an All Together Different environment for
students, faculty, and staff, driven by our core beliefs. We
believe in inclusivity over exclusivity; we believe in advancing
our mission by being willing to take risks, not avoiding them; and
we believe our best work is possible when we apply our diversity of
origin, identity, circumstance, and thought.
Equity Statement
George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action
employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its
community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for
employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual
orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or
veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.
Campus Safety Information
Mason’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available at
http://police.gmu.edu/annual-security-report/