Aaron Jordan
La Porte
Summary
Innovative and solutions-driven materials scientist and operations professional, boasting over 8 years of experience in supporting mission-critical programs at NASA, such as the International Space Station (ISS) and Gateway. Proven record of applying advanced materials analysis, nondestructive evaluation (NDE), and real-time systems operations to protect human life and guide engineering strategy. Adept at translating engineering problems into integrated technical and procedural solutions, managing cross-disciplinary teams, and supporting international collaboration. Currently completing the Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate to strengthen data-driven decision-making capabilities for a pivot into oil & gas, data analytics, software, or advanced engineering roles. Open to hybrid, fully remote, or international opportunities.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Intravehicular Operations (IVA Ops) Gateway and Operations Support Officer
Cimarron Software Services, Inc.
11.2022 - 06.2025
- Established the Intravehicular Operations Branch as the primary integrators between the NASA Gateway program, commercial partners like SpaceX and Northrop Grumman, and international partners. As the Flight Operations Directorate (FOD) liaison for Gateway program requirement/design reviews, mission risk management, training and prototype development, and human-centered spacecraft design, I represented NASA cross-program. Recognized by the CX Deputy Division Chief and CX4 Branch Chief for exceptional technical competence, vigilance, and leadership.
- As the first Ultrasonic Inspection Device subject matter specialist, pioneered phased array ultrasonic testing in FOD. Managed the first Russian section crack examination and analysis as part of International Space Station (ISS) Life Extension. The Russians were able to implement mitigation strategies to maintain the pressure of the Russian module, while the NASA program was able to update its risk posture and safeguard the lives of all USOS astronauts as a result of the data from this inspection.
- Developed the curriculum to certify more operators and personally instructed over ten US, Japanese, and Russian astronauts, including Ivan Vagner, Oleg Platonov, Takuya Onishi, Stephanie Wilson, Nick Hague, Don Pettit, Jonny Kim, Zena Cardman, and Michael Fincke.
- Developed innovative solutions to address real-time hardware failures in the ISS. Collaborated with NASA's flight control, safety, and engineering disciplines, as well as the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and European Space Agency (ESA) teams, to coordinate cross-program activities. Served as the central point for the development and integration of all operations products.
- Co-authored and contributed over thirty percent to a lessons learned whitepaper focused on habitability during long duration space flight missions. The whitepaper was published and made available for commercial space providers and internal NASA teams as a “how to” guide for designing space hardware, systems, and vehicles to facilitate astronaut crew comfort, efficiency, and operability.
Materials Scientist and Operations
Redwire (formerly Made In Space)
11.2020 - 11.2022
- Developed, organized, and executed a complex testing plan for Redwire’s parabolic flight campaign. Meticulously recreated conditions to generate ground control samples that would characterize the differences between space-based welds and equivalent earth-based welds. Assisted in the completion and submission of a final report to NASA’s Flight Opportunities group.
- Conducted comprehensive analyses of ground control samples and parabolic flight specimens, identifying variations in the morphology of multilayer weld deposits. This information is essential for the successful demonstration of WAAM in low Earth orbit (LEO).
- Developed and executed three independent test campaigns to deliver 30 tensile specimens and ten density cubes of additively manufactured aluminum metal to NASA highlighting the capabilities of Redwire’s Vulcan program
- Developed and executed two independent test plans to evaluate a proposed moisture detection method for quality control in polymer additive manufacturing (AM)
- Supported both Operations and Safety in a hybrid role that involved console operations of Redwire’s ISS payloads such as the Industrial Crystallization Facility (ICF) in addition to spearheading safety efforts during Vulcan’s Toxicology TIM with NASA. Successful mediation during the Toxicology TIM allowed for more flexibility in Vulcan’s mechanical design
Certified Life Sciences Glovebox (LSG) Facility Operator (Engineer II)
Teledyne Brown Engineering (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center)
10.2018 - 11.2020
- Managed the real-time operations of the LSG Facility Rack including real-time commanding, telemetry monitoring, ground system maintenance/checkout, increment specific training, sub-rack payload operations support, and facility maintenance operations
- Represented NASA as the primary liaison between the Payload Operations and Integration Center and Payload Developer teams during LSG Facility operations
- Supported over 150 hours of real-time ISS payload operations across a range of biological and materials experiments.
- Prepared for flight/increment operations by reviewing payload requirements, completing flight/increment specific training, participating in rack and payload testing, developing crew procedures and planning inputs, and ensuring that flight products (documentation and console tools) were ready to support real-time operations
- Developed and implemented the initial LSG R&R crew procedure to replace a malfunctioning fan on the rear of the LSG Work Volume and was recognized by crew member Andrew "Drew" Morgan.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Materials Science and Engineering, Structural & Functional Materials Concentration
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA05.2018
Skills
- Engineering & Testing: Ultrasonic Testing (UT, PAUT), WAAM (Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing), Materials Characterization, SEM/EDS, FTIR, CT Analysis, Instron Tensile Testing, Microhardness Testing, Mass Spectrometry, Density Testing
- Operations & Leadership: Real-Time System Ops, Risk Management, Failure Response, Procedure & Curriculum Development, Cross-Agency Collaboration, Technical Writing, Astronaut Training
- Tools & Tech: MATLAB, SolidWorks, Python (basic), Google Workspace, Microsoft Excel (advanced), Telemetry Systems
- Data & Analytics (in progress): Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate (est Aug 2025)
Certification
In Progress: Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate (Coursera) — Est. Aug 2025
Community Involvement
- Guest Speaker – Science Institute of Discovery
- Mentor – Club Esteem Inc., Kids 4 Coding
Internships
- L3Harris (formerly Harris Corporation) 2010 – 2012
- Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) 2014
Accomplishments
- NASA Johnson Space Center Group Achievement Award – Increment 68 In-flight Maintenance Team
- NASA Group Achievement Honor Award – Life Sciences Glovebox Team
Timeline
Intravehicular Operations (IVA Ops) Gateway and Operations Support Officer
Cimarron Software Services, Inc.
11.2022 - 06.2025
Materials Scientist and Operations
Redwire (formerly Made In Space)
11.2020 - 11.2022
Certified Life Sciences Glovebox (LSG) Facility Operator (Engineer II)
Teledyne Brown Engineering (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center)
10.2018 - 11.2020
Bachelor of Science - Materials Science and Engineering, Structural & Functional Materials Concentration
Georgia Institute of Technology
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