Adaptation Specialist - SME

Peraton; Herndon (VA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 216,000; Full time

Job summary

Peraton in Herndon, VA is seeking an Adaptation Specialist - SME to support the FAA TFDM program by configuring and preparing TFDM capabilities for deployment at terminal facilities. You will translate local operational requirements into site-specific configurations while adhering to FAA standards.

This role coordinates adaptation activities, partners with ATC and engineering teams, and maintains site configuration baselines.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship required; ability to obtain Public Trust clearance.
• Extensive experience in aviation systems, ATC ops, or systems engineering.
• Ability to translate operational requirements into technical configurations.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate TFDM adaptation activities for assigned facilities.
• Collaborate with engineering, integration, and operations teams.
• Create and verify site-specific TFDM configurations and baselines.
• Gather site data, translate requirements into system adaptations.
• Maintain adaptation documentation and version histories.
• Support SIT, JSAT, OT&E, and readiness reviews.
• Provide guidance and transfer knowledge to site personnel.

Skills

Travel willingness

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree + 12y exp / Master + 10y exp

Bachelor's in aviation / engineering / CS / systems engineering or related

FAA program experience acceptable

Tools

ArcGIS

AutoCAD

Geospatial tools

Configuration management tools

Job description

Adaptation Specialist - SME

Job Locations

US-VA-Herndon | US-NJ-Atlantic City

Responsibilities

Join Peraton in advancing the safety, efficiency, and modernization of the National Airspace System (NAS) through the FAA's Brand-New Air Traffic Control System (BNATCS) contract. As a trusted partner to the Federal Aviation Administration, Peraton helps deliver the systems and services that keep our nation's skies safe and connected. We're looking for innovative professionals who thrive in mission-critical environments and are passionate about shaping the future of air traffic management. This is your chance to make an impact on one of the world's most vital transportation infrastructures, working alongside leaders in aviation, engineering, data science, and systems integration.

At Peraton, you won't just support the mission - you'll define it.

Peraton is seeking an Adaptation Specialist - SME to support the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Terminal Flight Data Manager (TFDM) program. In this role, you'll help configure and prepare TFDM capabilities for deployment at individual FAA terminal facilities. Working at the intersection of air traffic operations, airport layouts, systems engineering, and technology, you'll translate local operational requirements and Air Traffic Control (ATC) procedures into site-specific system configurations or adaptations.

This is an excellent opportunity for candidates with backgrounds in aviation, air traffic operations, systems integration, engineering, airport systems, configuration management, or FAA automation systems who want to contribute directly to NAS modernization.

Work Location

This position is 100% on-site, primarily located in Herndon VA, with an alternate work location available in Atlantic City, NJ.

• Must be available to travel up to 25% of the time to support program requirements, including travel to FAA facilities and integration laboratories.

In this position, you will:

Your work will help ensure TFDM is accurately configured, tested, and ready for operational use while maintaining alignment with FAA requirements, national standards, and approved program baselines.

• Act as the coordinator for TFDM adaptation activities supporting assigned terminal facilities.
• Support FAA TFDM program activities, including coordination with engineering teams, integration environments, and operational facilities.
• Create, maintain, and verify facility-specific TFDM configurations, including gate and stand layouts, airport surface routing, flight data rules, system parameters, and alert settings.
• Partner with Air Traffic Control (ATC), Technical Operations, engineering personnel, and program stakeholders to collect, analyze, and translate local operational requirements, procedures, and site data into system adaptations.
• Utilize approved adaptation and configuration management tools to develop, modify, track, and maintain site-specific configuration baselines.
• Support site readiness activities, pre-deployment evaluations, dry runs, and readiness reviews to confirm adaptations are complete, accurate, and prepared for implementation.
• Participate in System Integration Testing (SIT), Joint Site Acceptance Testing (JSAT), and Operational Test & Evaluation (OT&E) activities.
• Verify adaptations align with applicable enterprise architecture, system engineering, safety, and program standards.
• Investigate adaptation and configuration issues, support root-cause analysis, and work with engineering teams to identify and implement appropriate resolutions.
• Maintain accurate adaptation documentation, technical decisions, configuration records, and version histories.
• Provide technical guidance, knowledge transfer, and adaptation support to site personnel, program teams, and local and national FAA stakeholders.

Why This Role Matters

Every FAA terminal facility has unique operational requirements, airport layouts, procedures, and traffic considerations. TFDM must account for those differences while operating as part of a standardized national system.

As a TFDM Adaptation Specialist, you'll help bridge the gap between national system capabilities and local airport operations ensuring each site is properly configured, validated, tested, and ready for successful operational deployment.

Basic Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance.
• Bachelors degree and 12 years' relevant experience or Masters degree with 10 years experience or Associates degree with 14 years of experience or HS diploma with 16 years experience.
• Experience or demonstrated knowledge in one or more of the following areas: aviation systems, air traffic operations, systems engineering, systems integration, software/system configuration, testing, or data analysis.
• Ability to analyze operational requirements and translate them into technical requirements, data elements, or system configurations.
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to interpret technical documentation, system requirements, procedures, and/or airport or system layouts.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to collaborate with technical and operational stakeholders.
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 25% of the time to support program requirements, including travel to FAA facilities and integration laboratories, as well as participation in site surveys, adaptation workshops, testing events, and deployment activities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience supporting the FAA, National Airspace System (NAS), or aviation modernization programs.
• Familiarity with TFDM, TFMS, STARS, ASDE-X, ERAM, or other FAA automation and air traffic management systems.
• Experience with TFDM or similar site adaptation/configuration activities.
• Experience working directly with air traffic controllers, FAA Technical Operations personnel, engineers, and other operational stakeholders.
• Bachelor's degree in aviation, Engineering, Computer Science, Systems Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Knowledge of terminal airport operations, airport surface movement, gate/stand configurations, taxi routing, and ATC procedures.
• Experience supporting system integration, site implementation, acceptance testing, operational testing, or deployment readiness.
• Experience with configuration-management systems, adaptation tools, data-management platforms, or geospatial applications.
• Familiarity with FAA adaptation or data-development environments such as URET or TDDS.
• Experience with ArcGIS, AutoCAD, or similar tools used to develop or interpret airport and geospatial layouts.
• Familiarity with FAA implementation and acquisition processes, including AMS and JRC processes.
• Experience analyzing and troubleshooting system interfaces, data flows, configuration discrepancies, or integration issues.
• Strong understanding of baseline control, requirements traceability, and technical documentation.

#BNATC

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

$135,000 - $216,000. 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.