Aerospace Engineer

Peraton; Las Cruces (NM); On-site; USD 51,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

Peraton is seeking a Spacecraft Systems Engineer to join our team at the White Sands Complex in Las Cruces, NM. The role focuses on health, safety, and successful operations of the STPSat‑6 spacecraft and its ground systems, contributing to mission areas across communications, space weather, and situational awareness.

The ideal candidate has a STEM degree, 2+ years of relevant experience, and a SECRET clearance; you will work with Windows and Linux, support anomaly recovery, and help develop

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace/engineering or related field with 2+ years of experience.
• US citizen able to obtain SECRET security clearance.
• Experience with Windows and Linux systems.
• Must maintain access to government worksite.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office tools.

Responsibilities

• Monitor STPSat-6 spacecraft state-of-health data daily.
• Analyze partner requests and execute payload commands.
• Develop procedures for spacecraft activities and containment.
• Create scripts and automation for recurring tasks.
• Support ground system operations and risk mitigation.

Skills

Security clearance (SECRET)

US Citizenship

Windows

Linux

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Tools

STK

FreeFlyer

MATLAB

Python

VMs (ESXi/Hyper-V)

Job description

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.

Responsibilities

Peraton is seeking a Spacecraft Systems Engineer to join our team at the White Sands Complex (WSC) in Las Cruces, NM. In this role, you will support the health, safety, and successful operations of the STPSat‑6 spacecraft and its associated ground systems. STPSat‑6 advances U.S. scientific and national security capabilities across Communications, Space Weather, and Situational Awareness mission areas.

Peraton is the prime contractor for NASA at the White Sands Complex (WSC) near Las Cruces, New Mexico. The Satellite Operations Center (SSOC) is staffed by the Flight Engineering Team (FET).The FET is made up of members of the WSC Spacecraft Engineering group that supports the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) fleet as well as the STPSat-6 mission.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Spacecraft Monitoring and Operations

• Perform daily monitoring and trending of STPSat‑6 spacecraft state‑of‑health data.
• Analyze mission partner requests and execute payload commanding.
• Develop and maintain procedures for critical spacecraft activities, including battery management, station‑keeping maneuvers, and momentum unloads.
• Support real‑time mission activities and provide technical assistance during operations.

Anomaly Resolution and Analysis

• Identify spacecraft anomalies, perform root‑cause analysis, and develop and execute recovery plans.
• Coordinate and participate in activities related to investigating and resolving spacecraft, ground system, or mission partner concerns.
• Conduct experimental or operational simulations to assess behavior, validate procedures, or support mission planning.

Testing, Validation, and Automation

• Plan, coordinate, direct, and evaluate testing of aerospace systems and related ground equipment.
• Work with internal resources and mission partners to develop test plans and ensure issues are properly assessed, resolved, and regressed.
• Create scripts or automation tools to support recurring or data‑intensive tasks.

Ground System Support

• Monitor and maintain associated ground equipment and coordinate maintenance activities.
• Conduct risk assessments of aerospace systems and develop risk mitigation strategies.

Team and Organizational Support

• Provide on‑the‑job training to peers as experience is gained.
• Support additional duties as assigned.
• Occasional night or weekend work may be required during critical activities or anomaly recovery operations.

#HIRE4SENSE

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field, plus 2+ years of relevant experience.
• Security clearance - this position requires the candidate to be able to obrain a SECRET security clearance and to maintain the clearance thereafter.
• Experience working with Windows and Linux systems.
• You must be a US Citizen and show proof of citizenship.
• Must be able to maintain ability to access government worksite.
• Experience with Microsoft Office tools (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Desired Qualifications

• Active Secret security clearance.
• Master’s degree in a relevant engineering or scientific field.
• Proficiency with tools such as Systems Tool Kit (STK), FreeFlyer, MATLAB, Python,
• Experience with virtual machine environments and hypervisor management (ESXi and/or Hyper‑V).
• Prior spacecraft operations or system test experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with peers, management, and mission partners.

Target Salary Range

$51,000 - $82,000. 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.

Benefits Statement

Peraton offers eligible employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, vision, life, health savings account, short/long term disability, EAP, parental leave, 401(k), paid time off (PTO) for vacation, and company paid holidays. A full listing of available benefits can be viewed athttps://www.careers.peraton.com/benefits.

EEO

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