Mechanical Technician - Junior Level (NASA Ballon Program)

Peraton; Palestine, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Peraton operates NASA’s Balloon Missions from the Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility in Palestine, TX. The Engineering Technician role involves fabricating, assembling and testing mechanical units for balloon payloads, with work supporting launches and recoveries.

Ideal candidates have a high school diploma or GED, 2 years of mechanical experience, and the ability to obtain a CDL within 3 years; US citizenship and background checks are required.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required.
• Two years of related mechanical experience.
• Equivalency – Completion of post-secondary degree or certificate may substitute for years of experience.
• CDL license within 3 years or ability to obtain.
• Must be a US citizen.
• Must pass a background check to obtain NASA PIV and drug screen.

Responsibilities

• Fabricate, install and test mechanical units per drawings and schematics.
• Operate standard test equipment and record data.
• Perform preventative maintenance of light vehicles and equipment; document records.
• Operate applicable equipment to assist with launch and recovery of scientific payloads and balloons.
• Travel up to 60%; support campaigns in the US and abroad; passport required; Antarctica medical requirements may apply.

Skills

US Citizenship

CDL license

Mechanical experience

Background check

Education

High School diploma or GED

Job description

Required Qualifications:

• High School diploma or GED certificate.


• Two years of related experience mechanical experience


• Equivalency – Completion of post-secondary degree or certificate may substitute for years of experience.


• Certifications/License – Must possess or have the ability to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) within 3 years of employment.


• Must be a US Citizen


• Mustbe able to pass a background check to obtain a NASA Personal Identity Verification card (PIV) background check and drug screen required.

Desired Qualifications:

• Knowledge/experience with stick and heli-arc welding desired.


• Knowledge with machine shop tools and machines desired.


• Knowledge/experience with forklift and heavy equipment operation desired.


• Knowledge of methods and techniques involved with assembly and testing of mechanical hardware.


• Knowledge of basic mechanical theory and application.

Peraton provides management and technical support for NASA’s scientific balloon program which supports enabling science missions for NASA and universities across the United States and foreign scientific communities. Scientific balloon missions provide researchers inexpensive, relatively quick, long duration access to near space altitudes and environments. Balloon missions cost orders of magnitude less than satellite missions and provide platforms for heavy experiments (some greater than 5000-lbs) to operate for weeks and even months. Balloon missions have provided significant science theories and discoveries about cosmic rays, gamma ray and x-ray astronomy, optical and UV astronomy, atmospheric sciences, and cosmic microwave background studies.

Our staff are located at the Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility (CSBF) in Palestine, TX where we design, analyze, build and assembly the support hardware and balloon gondola payloads for the missions. We launch the balloons from locations within the United States (Texas, New Mexico, and Hawaii) and around the world including Antarctica, Sweden, New Zealand, and Australia. Our engineers and technician staff support the launches and balloon and payload recoveries in the US and many worldwide locations. Peraton’s NASA Balloon Operations Contract (NBOC) program is seeking an Engineering Technician to join our team in Palestine, Texas.

Our rural campus offers the ability to work in a low-cost of living area, but within an easy drive of Tyler, Dallas and Houston.

Responsibilities of the position:

• Assists in fabrication, installation and testing of mechanical units, systems, sub-systems or models from specific drawings and schematic diagrams.


• Operates standard test equipment and instruments and records data.


• Performs preventative maintenance of light vehicles and equipment, documents and files records for same.


• Operates applicable equipment and performs functions to assist with the launch and recovery of scientific payloads and balloons.

Supports field operations which could require travel for periods up to eight weeks or more several times a year both in the United States and overseas.

Specific Requirements / Licensing Special Requirements:

• Must be able to travel to support campaigns in various locations around the world


• Up to 60% travel per year


• Must have or be able to obtain a passport


• Ability to pass the National Science Foundation physical (Medical) requirement to work in Antarctica including latest FLU vaccinations required to qualify.