The name: Nargis Mimarsdighi.
Title: Associate Branch Head, Software Systems Engineering Branch
Formal job classification: Supervising Computer Engineer
organization: Software Systems Engineering Branch, Software Engineering Division, Engineering Directorate (Code 581)
What do you do and what is most exciting about your role at Goddard?
As the Associate Branch Head of the Software Systems Engineering Branch, I spend half of my time helping the Branch Head with internal operations, various planning activities, and supervising my employees who are senior software systems engineers and often the team. Lead yourself.
In the other half of my time, I work on a technical project. Currently, I am supporting the Human Landing Systems (HLS) project. I am a member of the NASA HLS Software Insights team working with NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama and Johnson Space Center in Houston, and industry partners SpaceX and Blue Origin on software requirements and milestones. to fulfill, and ensure the success of, the Artemis campaign. In taking astronauts to the moon.
I enjoy learning about and being a part of NASA’s various missions, either by assisting our branch employees working on those missions or by being a project team member and providing direct technical support.
Why did you become a software engineer?
I always loved math and science. Software engineering seemed like a good and practical way to apply mathematics to various scientific and engineering applications.
What is your educational background?
I received my bachelor’s (2001), master’s (2004) and doctorate (2007) degrees in computer science from the University of Maryland in College Park.
How did you get into Goddard?
I joined Goddard in 2001 right out of college. The university organized a recruitment event at its career centre. I signed up for an interview with NASA, which went well. Then I got an invitation for an on-site interview, and then an offer to join Goddard as a computer engineer.
What is your monitoring style?
I am supervising an average of 10 employees. We tag up every two weeks to check on their work and see if they have any issues or need anything from management. We are in constant contact which goes both ways. I have an open door policy. I try to match an employee’s interests and skills with their work. I am willing to listen to their concerns and address them to the best of my ability or contact those who can. I enjoy learning about their work and celebrating their successes.
What are some of the most interesting projects and missions involved with the Software Systems Engineering branch?
We provide end-to-end software systems engineering support to many high-impact missions, such as the upcoming flagship astrophysics Roman Space Telescope mission. We support Roman’s software systems as well as its testing and assembly with one of our software products, the Goddard Dynamic Simulator.
Our team also supports a variety of Earth science missions, such as the Joint Polar Satellite Systems (JPSS), GOES-R, and GOES-U, all of which are supported by the NASA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). is We also develop and manage various ground segment software systems for various missions including PACE, TSIS-II, and others.
What are some of your career highlights so far?
A James Webb was part of the Space Telescope team and was working on stability testing. Micro shutter. The Web is a huge, multinational observatory that makes many scientific discoveries.
Another is part of the Dawn Mission’s Satellite Working Group, which is searching for the asteroid Vesta and the moons of the dwarf planet Ceres. I worked on it from pre-launch through launch and operations. We were among the first to see the scientific images shortly after the download. It felt like going on a ride with a spaceship.
I will include my recent work on the Roman Space Telescope.
In general, I really enjoyed working on different missions during their different life stages. I got to see the whole picture of how software is used for missions, from technology development to post-launch.
What advice do you give to your graduate students and interns as a mentor?
I emphasize that they also need to work on their communication skills, leadership skills, and team building. I ask them to focus not only on their technical skills but also on their interpersonal skills, both written and verbal. NASA has many collaborative projects and being able to communicate effectively at different levels is critical to mission success.
Who do you want to thank?
I would like to thank my family for their support. I would also like to thank my past teachers and mentors who made a big difference in me and positively influenced my life.
What do you do to relax?
I love going for long walks, spending time with family and friends, and doing activities with my son including attending his piano recitals.
Who is your favorite author?
As a young reader, I loved reading Jules Verne. I also enjoy reading poetry. My favorites are Robert Frost, Emily Dickinson and the Persian poets Sohrab Sephri and Saadi Shirazi.
What motto do you live by?
Be the change you want to see in the world.
by the Elizabeth M. Jarrell
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight CenterGreenbelt, Md.
Conversations with Goddard Q&A is a collection of profiles that highlight the breadth and depth of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center’s talented and diverse workforce. Dialogues have been published on average twice a month since May 2011. Read previous editions on it Goddard’s “Our People” web page.