Project Specialist

Job Description:

Analytical Mechanics Associates, Inc. (AMA) is seeking a full-time, on-site Project Specialist, to perform a variety of project administration support services involving project schedule creation and maintenance, risk identification and monitoring, data review, reporting, project coordination, and other related duties in support of NASA Program/Project Managers. The selected candidate will support NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center's (AFRC) Business and Program Analysis Support Branch, providing expert-level scheduling, risk management, and planning and control services across a broad portfolio of aerospace research projects spanning all phases of the NASA agency life cycle.

This is a full-time, on-site position; remote work is not offered. The successful applicant will live within a reasonable commuting distance from NASA AFRC and be capable of supporting the contract in-person.  No relocation funding is available.

This is a contingent role based on AMA obtaining the work

Salary range: $72,000 - $82,000

Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident. All personnel must be capable of effectively communicating in English to perform assigned duties.  Security clearance or system access requirements will be specified per project assignment, as applicable.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Project Planning & Control (PP&C)

• Work closely with various Project Managers and within the Project Support Office to coordinate projects and develop schedules, reporting criteria, and records.
• Develop, build, maintain, and revise project schedules in support of multiple concurrent AFRC programs and projects.
• Facilitate schedule build and revision sessions with Project Managers, program leadership, and chief engineers.
• Develop systems for data collection, reporting criteria, and records; research and compile statistics and data for projects; assist in writing narratives for reports as needed.
• Monitor project timelines, track document submissions, and create, monitor, and maintain audit files.
• Analyze schedule performance and present schedule metrics and analysis to management and project leadership.
• Support the development and maintenance of project planning and control systems and tools in alignment with AFRC policies and guidelines.
• Coordinate with Project Managers on a recurring basis to ensure proper scheduling support is provided throughout the project life cycle.
• Model and evaluate different schedule structures, advising Project Managers on the pros and cons of various scheduling approaches.
• Demonstrate an acute sense of ownership in providing scheduling and risk support for multiple projects and PMs, with the ability to work effectively within a diverse project team.

Project Risk Assessment

• Identify, communicate, and resolve programmatic risks and issues to eliminate or mitigate consequences that may impact the success of the project.
• Facilitate risk reviews and present risk analysis findings to Program/Project Managers and key stakeholders.
• Evaluate risks to accomplishing Center-approved project missions and objectives.
• Anticipate and explore safety risks to the Center, including potential impacts or conflicts with other projects.
• Assess the likelihood of project success and associated risks to the Center.
• Provide insight regarding schedule updates, potential slips, and upcoming risks to appropriate Project Managers and stakeholders.
• Design and implement procedures to fulfill project objectives and criteria for program compliance; prepare memorandums and work with agencies to resolve concerns and issues as needed.

Reviews & Reporting

• Prepare monthly reports with associated footnotes.
• Evaluate and monitor performance and efficiency of programs, ensuring implementation is on target.
• Brief management on the status of action items and metrics used to track contract performance.
• Assist with technical reports and presentations for periodic project reviews, including:
  • System Requirements Review (SRR)
  • Preliminary Design Review (PDR)
  • Critical Design Review (CDR)
  • System Integration Review (SIR)
  • Operational Readiness Review (ORR)
  • Test Readiness Review (TRR)
  • Systems Safety Working Groups (SSWG)
  • Program Management Reviews (PMR)
  • And other required reviews

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 2 years of experience in Project Management or related field.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience providing project scheduling and/or risk management support in a government contracting or aerospace research environment.
• Proficiency with project scheduling tools, including Microsoft Project or equivalent scheduling software.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Familiarity with NASA project management policies and procedures, including NPR 7120.5.
• Experience with NASA systems and tools such as NAMIS, Jira, or similar project management and risk tracking platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, build, and maintain integrated project schedules across multiple concurrent programs.
• Experience facilitating schedule build sessions and risk reviews with senior program leadership.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to identify schedule risks, assess impacts, and recommend mitigation strategies.
• Ability to work closely with specified personnel to facilitate effective planning and execution of critical objectives in a timely manner, with adherence to plans and schedules.
• Ability to work with minimal or no supervision.
• Experience preparing and presenting technical briefings, reports, and schedule metrics to management and senior leadership.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience supporting flight research, aeronautics, or aerospace research programs is a plus.

Analytical Mechanics Associates (AMA) is proud of our customer relationships, our diverse and dynamic work environment, and our employees' career satisfaction. AMA is a small business with a wide reach; headquartered in Hampton, VA, AMA has operations in Greenbelt, MD; Huntsville, AL; Dallas and Houston, TX; Denver, CO; Mountain View, CA; and Edwards Air Force Base, CA. With over 60 years of experience, AMA specializes in aerospace engineering, science, analytics, information technology, and visualization solutions. AMA combines the best of engineering, science, and mathematics capabilities with the latest in information technologies, visualization, and multimedia to build creative solutions. We offer competitive salaries and a substantial benefits package, including but not limited to paid personal and federally recognized holiday leave, salary deferrals into a 401(k)-matching plan with immediate vesting, tuition reimbursement, short/long term disability plans, and a variety of medical, dental, and vision insurance options.

AMA is committed to the professional growth of every employee, understanding that the successes of our employees drive our success. We provide a work environment that is engaging, collaborative, and supportive. To learn more about our company, please visit our website at www.ama-inc.com/careers and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.

AMA is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any applicant for employment or employee because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited under federal, state, or local laws.