NASA Electronic Parts Engineering School
The NASA Electronic Parts and Packaging Program (NEPP) is encouraging the development of a NASA Parts Engineering Program alongside university partners Auburn University and University of Maryland, through NASA center-wide collaborations between NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), and Langley Research Center (LaRC). The program will address the knowledge gap in the current electronic parts engineering workforce and will lead to increases in the number of trained professionals in the workforce, including cultivating the next generation of Parts Engineers.
OPPORTUNITY
With new developments in Electrical, Electronic, Electromechanical, and Electro-optical (EEEE) parts, there is an ever-growing knowledge gap for incoming Parts Engineers
The need to address this gap has been prevalent through all NASA facilities and involved industries
It is critical to tackle the lack of awareness as well as the lack of technical knowledge
Currently, there are no programs offering a comprehensive parts engineering focus throughout university and industry
SOLUTION
Workforce Development at a national level to narrow the knowledge gap
Leveraging the knowledge base of the universities and industry partners will assist in filling these gaps
NASA will take the leadership role in developing university programs to support the aerospace, military, and industrial community
PROGRAM GOAL
Parallel Workforce Development
Development of a curriculum of EEEE parts engineering topics at the university level
Share training materials currently available to NASA EEEE Parts Engineers with students
This program defines Parts Engineers as those who:
Conduct engineering assessments and review all EEEE parts for reliability-related performance
Support projects with part selection that maximizes reliability appropriate for the project life cycle while considering supply chain risks, and schedule and cost constraints
Oversee part procurement and work with parts manufacturers to ensure compliance with engineering requirements and business constraints
Establish test plans for EEEE parts, including screening and qualification test campaigns and any required failure analysis, and evaluate test results for proper disposition for space flight usage
Assess the capabilities of new EEEE technologies and suppliers for spaceflight use
CL#23-3738