Mechanical Engineer (NASA Ballon Program)

Peraton; Palestine (TX); On-site; USD 66,000 - 106,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Health Savings Account

Short/Long term disability

Employee Assistance Program

Parental leave

401(k)

Paid time off

Job summary

Peraton in Palestine, TX supports NASA's Balloon Operations Contract as a Mechanical Engineer, designing, analyzing, and testing balloon payload systems and gondolas using SolidWorks and SolidWorks Simulation.

You will coordinate with electronics and rigging teams, review payload designs to meet gondola structural requirements, and travel to Ft. Sumner, NM for campaigns. On-site CSBF duties in Palestine, TX are a key focus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Math, or Physics (Mechanical or Aerospace preferred).
• Two or more years of mechanical experience.
• Working knowledge of SolidWorks and SolidWorks Simulation or similar tools.
• US Citizen with ability to obtain NASA PIV badge.

Responsibilities

• Research, design, and analyze balloon payload/gondola mechanical structures and equipment.
• Use SolidWorks and SolidWorks Simulation for design and analysis efforts.
• Create design and manufacturing documentation with SolidWorks.
• Certify gondola design requirements are met per 820-PG-8700.0.1.
• Coordinate with Electronics and Rigging for new or updated flight hardware.
• Coordinate test flights and hardware layouts with NBOC teams.
• Support field operations and provide ground support systems as needed.
• Work with vendors to quote custom design hardware and enter purchase requisitions.
• Travel annually to Ft. Sumner, NM (3–4 weeks) for balloon campaigns.
• Primary on-site work at CSBF, Palestine, TX.

Skills

SolidWorks

SolidWorks Simulation

Mechanical experience

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering/Math/Physics

Job description

About Peraton

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 solve the most daunting challenges that our customers face. Visit peraton.com to learn how we're keeping people around the world safe and secure.

About The Role

NASA's Balloon Operations Contract (NBOC) is a sub-orbital flight program located at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility (WFF), a part of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). NBOC provides high altitude balloon vehicles, payload development, and field operations support to NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. The program enables the collection of Earth, Heliophysics and Astrophysics science.

The Mechanical Engineer will be a team member using principles of mechanical engineering; develop, design, analyze, test and document balloon payload systems, sub-systems, and GSE systems in support of the NASA Balloon Operations Contract (NBOC).

Responsibilities of the position:

• Research, develop, design, and analyze balloon payload/gondola mechanical structures, components, and equipment applying principles of mechanical engineering to fulfill mission requirements
• Work with SolidWorks and SolidWorks Simulation for design and analysis efforts
• Create design and manufacturing documentation with SolidWorks
• Review science team provided payload/gondola design documentation and certify requirements of 820-PG-8700.0.1 - Gondola Structural Design Requirements are met
• Coordinate with Electronics and Rigging departments for development of new flight hardware or updates of existing flight hardware
• Coordinate with Electronics and Rigging departments for NBOC provided test flight gondolas regarding piggyback payload and NBOC test flight hardware layout
• Coordinate with science teams regarding design and implementation of NBOC flight systems onto science provided gondolas (i.e. Antenna Booms, Solar Panels, Ballast Hoppers, etc...)
• Provide support for field operations when needed, including payload and ground support systems
• Work with vendors to quote custom design hardware and enter purchase requisitions
• Travel annually to support the Fall Ft. Sumner, NM balloon campaign (3-4 weeks) as needed
• Primary work on-site Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility (CSBF), Palestine, TX

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Math, or Physics. (Mechanical or Aerospace preferred)
• Two or more years of mechanical experience
• Working knowledge of SolidWorks and SolidWorks Simulation or similar design and analysis tools
• Must be a US Citizen and ability to obtain a NASA PIV badge

Details

Target Salary Range: $66,000 - $106,000. 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 at https://www.careers.peraton.com/benefits.

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