Aerospace Engineering Manager / Spacecraft Operations / Space Communications

Responsibilities

Peraton has an opening for a Spacecraft ACS Team Lead at the White Sands Complex in Las Cruces, NM. The Spacecraft ACS Team Lead will join a team of engineers dedicated to ensuring the health, safety of the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) fleet through evaluation and assessment of spacecraft telemetry. The Spacecraft ACS Team assists with planning and execution of spacecraft orbit management, momentum management, subsystem assessments and telemetry monitoring, and other activities required to support unmanned and human space flight mission success.

Peraton is the prime contractor for NASA at the White Sands Complex (WSC) near Las Cruces, New Mexico. Operating here are two functionally identical satellite ground terminals: The White Sands Ground Terminal, and the Second TDRSS Ground Terminal. These ground terminals ensure uninterrupted communications between various ground stations, NASA’s orbiting geosynchronous fleet of Tracking and Data Relay Satellites (TDRS), customer spacecraft, and the computer systems that support such spacecraft. WSC serves as an interface for distributing satellite data to control centers and scientists who then use the daily influx of data to expand our ever-growing knowledge of the Earth and the universe.

This position will be responsible for the following: 

• Lead a team of direct reports to complete project requirements and allocate tasking for spacecraft engineers.
• Perform daily monitoring and trending of TDRS spacecraft state-of-health data.
• Develop, maintain, and validate procedures for performing spacecraft activities, including station-keeping, momentum management, spacecraft relocations, and anomaly recovery.
• Perform spacecraft End-of-Mission planning, simulations, execution, and documentation.
• Responsible for the technical integrity of projects and operations while providing technical guidance to department staff and project levels.
• Work closely with resources to create test plans and ensure that issues are properly assigned and resolved.
• Provide accurate, articulate, quick turnaround notifications and status updates for anomalies.
• Analyze and identify spacecraft system anomaly root causes. Coordinate team planning and execution of recovery actions.
• Assist in developing and maintaining checklists and training material for spacecraft engineers.
• Conduct team meetings as necessary to plan for upcoming activities, discuss ongoing issues, and facilitate team cohesiveness.

Qualifications

Required Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics or related field and 6+ years of relative experience.
• Prior experience working with spacecraft operations and leading projects and/or teams.
• Occasional travel to other sites may be required.
• This position requires the candidate to be able to obtain a DoD Secret security clearance and to maintain the clearance thereafter. An Interim Secret clearance is acceptable to start.
• Must be a US Citizen and show proof of citizenship.
• Must be able to maintain ability to access government worksite.

Desired Experience:

• Active Secret security clearance.
• Previous experience associated with TDRS operations is highly desired.
• MS degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics or related field.
• Proficiency with Systems Tool Kit (STK), Python, MATLAB, or LabVIEW.
• Previous spacecraft operations, design, or test experience.
• Demonstrated written and oral communication skills, including ability to communicate effectively with peers and management.
• Experience with MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint). 

Peraton Overview

Peraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world’s leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees do the can’t be done by solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Visit peraton.com to learn how we’re keeping people around the world safe and secure.

Target Salary Range

$80,000 - $128,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual’s experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.

EEO

EEO: Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.