Preliminary Design Review (PDR) Lead

Cimarron is seeking a Preliminary Design Review (PDR) Lead to support the Mars Ascent Vehicle Integrated System (MAVIS) program in Huntsville, AL. MAVIS is a critical part of NASA’s Mars Sample Return campaign, designed to launch collected Martian samples back to Earth. In this role, the PDR Lead will coordinate and manage all aspects of the Preliminary Design Review process, ensuring technical readiness, alignment across subsystems, and compliance with NASA standards. This position plays a key role in guiding the MAVIS team through a major program milestone.

The current MAVIS program effort is funded through the Preliminary Design Review (PDR), scheduled for June 2025. While future phases are contingent, the anticipated path—under a typical scenario—includes progression to the Critical Design Review (CDR) in 2026, followed by manufacturing, integration, and test activities in 2027 and beyond.

Key Duties:

• Develop and manage the MAVIS Preliminary Design Review (PDR) campaign schedule, aligning subsystem reviews, tabletop discussions, and key milestones with program objectives.
• Define and enforce PDR entry and exit criteria in accordance with NASA-STD-7009, NPR 7123.1, and mission assurance standards.
• Coordinate and facilitate PDR technical interchange meetings (TIMs), peer reviews, and formal design board presentations.
• Oversee the 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) to evaluate subsystem readiness for PDR.
• Act as the primary liaison between subsystem leads, NASA review boards, and MAVIS leadership to ensure alignment and clarity on review expectations.

Required Skills, Experience, and Education:

• Due to facility security requirements, only U.S. citizens are eligible for consideration at this time.
• 10 to more 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 Technical Performance Measure (TPM), such as Design Maturity Index (DMI), to track closure design review readiness.
• Bachelor's degree.

Desired Skills, Experience, and Education:

• 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.

Business Profile:

Cimarron is a global solutions company with a strategic partnering approach to satisfying customer-driven requirements. We ensure customer success with a modern approach and experienced leadership. Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, Cimarron is fueled by highly skilled employees, developing new innovative technologies, and delivering superior products and services. We believe in recognizing employees' worth by offering competitive salaries and benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) contributions, educational reimbursement, and much more. From company communication through Company-wide information meetings led by our President and CEO, to an Awards program designed to recognize our amazing employees and their accomplishments, you will not only feel like you are a part of a team, you will be a valued member of the Cimarron family. Cimarron is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.