Biomedical Flight Controller (Supporting NASA at Johnson Space Center)

The general function of the Biomedical Flight Controller (call-sign: BME) is to ensure astronaut health and safety by providing operational and technical support as representatives of the Human Health & Performance (HH&P) Directorate at NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC). The BME provides this support on console in the Mission Control Center (MCC), as well as off-console through various project assignments, meeting support, and other mission support roles. The BME is the primary Crew Health Care System (CHeCS) representative to the MCC flight control team; CHeCS includes all hardware/software in the CounterMeasures System (CMS), Environmental Health System (EHS), Health Maintenance System (HMS), and private video teleconferencing (for routine medical checkups, remote telemedicine support, and psychological support of family/friends). A large portion of the job corresponding to flight operations involves responding to new situations as they arise, thinking on your feet, and relying on your training to react in a real-time, fast-paced operational environment. Incumbent will perform other assignments and duties as required.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provide Flight Controller operational and engineering support from the Flight Control Room (FCR) and Multi Purpose Support Room (MPSR) in the Mission Control Center (MCC) as it pertains to Medical Operations
• Monitor biomedical, environmental, and other crew-related data during all mission phases
• Perform and manage data/communications uplink and downlink in support of crew health and medical operations
• Provide technical support to the crew and flight control team for the Crew Health Care System (CHeCS)
• Coordinate and conduct private video teleconferencing between the crew and their medical support team and family members on the ground
• Adhere to the Flight Operations Directorate (FOD) shift schedule for MCC Flight Controllers, requiring 3 shifts of 24 hour weekday support and a longer than standard eight hour workday
• Support MCC shifts as needed on weekends and holidays in support of mission duties
• Provide technical expertise to the Flight Surgeon in responding to crew health issues
• Follow Space Station issues and provide/coordinate medical input when needed
• Perform duties as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for assigned CHeCS hardware, MCC console specialty project, and/or flight control documentation; SME duties include, but are not limited to:

o Participate in pre-flight design & requirements reviews, provide operational insight and expertise, and prepare for operational execution of new CHeCS hardware
o Write, submit, validate, and maintain operational procedures for CHeCS equipment and crew medical activities
o Update requirements, activity planning documentation, and technical reference documentation as necessary
o React to any anomalies/issues related to CHeCS equipment and crew medical activities to provide MCC console personnel with resources necessary to address or workaround the issue
o Communicate/collaborate/coordinate with other mission support personnel to assess on-going operations, equipment anomalies, and future plans for activities utilizing equipment
o Assimilate information from various sources and act as liaison with representatives from Flight Surgeon, Engineering, Training, Exercise Specialists, Laboratory and Science communities that support CHeCS equipment and requirements
o Assist in the coordination of manifest, stowage, packing, and unpacking inputs for CHeCS hardware

• Follow structured Space Station certification training program to meet specific training milestones in a timely manner
• Meet all requirements to obtain Space Station Flight Controller certification for supporting MCC operations
• Continue proficiency training following MCC certification
• Must be able to work well both individually with a high degree of initiative and self-starter motivation, as well as in group environments that at times may require acting as the sole Medical Operations representative on a team
• Completion of a standard flight controller physical examination and government background check are required

Qualifications

• Required:

o Bachelor of Science Degree in Biomedical Engineering or a related Engineering/Sciences field, with 0-2 years of related experience
o Communication (both verbal and written), problem solving, critical thinking, leadership, and organizational skills

• Desired:

o A background in physiology or associated coursework
o Prior experience in the spaceflight industry
o Mission Control or other operational experience