Spacecraft Operations Controller (LMOC) / Active TS / Space Programs

Peraton; Las Cruces (NM); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Peraton in the United States is seeking an Aerospace Spacecraft Operations Controller to join the Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) aerospace team at the LMOC in WSC. You will execute real-time payload commands, monitor telemetry, manage ground control systems, and ensure spacecraft health throughout its lifecycle.

The role requires active Top Secret clearance, US citizenship, ability to work rotating shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays, and proven problem-solving with

Qualifications

• Active Top Secret security clearance with SCI eligibility
• US citizenship and proof of citizenship
• Ability to access government worksite
• BS/BA in Electrical, Mechanical, or Aerospace Engineering with 5 years’ experience or AS/AA with 6 years’ experience; HS with 9 years’ related experience accepted
• Experience in satellite operations or military command/control, intelligence, or operations management
• Ability to work rotating shifts, including 24/7 mission support, weekends, holidays, and overtime
• Strict adherence to technical procedures, checklists, and contingency plans
• Effective teamwork in high-stakes environments and clear written/verbal communication

Responsibilities

• Real-Time Operations: console operator for real-time satellite payload contacts and ground equipment control during pre-pass, pass, and post-pass
• Lifecycle Support: readiness, mission planning, execution, and evaluation from on-orbit operations to end-of-life disposal
• Data & Mission Analysis: task scheduling, data trending, performance analysis, and anomaly resolution
• Documentation & Procedures: develop and maintain SOPs, on-console handbooks, support plans, and test plans
• Conflict Resolution: resolve real-time conflicts to optimize acquisition, tracking, commanding, and telemetry across multiple customers
• Anomaly Response: implement response plans during critical events and lead recovery actions
• Systems Evaluation: monitor spacecraft, payload, and ground systems to ensure safety and mission compliance
• Shift Structure: support rotating shifts, nights, weekends, and holidays

Skills

Problem solving

Procedural adherence

Communication

Teamwork

Education

BS/BA in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Aerospace Engineering

AS/AA in technical field

HS with 9 years related experience

Tools

Satellite ground systems

Telemetry architectures

Satellite tracking networks

Job description

REQUIRED:

• Security Clearance: Must possess an active Top Secret (TS) security clearance with the ability toobtain Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) eligibility.
  • Must be a US Citizen and show proof of citizenship.
  • Must be able to maintain ability to access government worksite.
• Education/Experience:degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or other technical discipline and experience as follows: BS/BA degree and 5 years’ experience, or AS/AA and 6 years’ experience. In lieu of degree, HS and 9 years of additional related experience is allowable.
• Operational Experience: experience in satellite operations capacity or equivalent military operations experience in command and control, intelligence, or operations management.
• Schedule and Shift Structure: This position requires occasional 24/7 mission support. You must be able to work rotating shifts, weekends, holidays and mandatory overtime, on a rotational basis as a part of normal shift scheduling.
• Technical Execution: Proven problem-solving skills with a demonstrated ability to strictly follow technical procedures, operational checklists, and emergency contingency plans.
• Teamwork & Collaboration: Ability to operate as an effective, dependable, and cohesive team member in high-stakes environments.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate technical data and status updates under time-sensitive constraints.

DESIRED:

• Active TS/SCI security clearance.
• Advanced Experience: 10+ years of dedicated experience with space/satellite operations and/or complex military operations is highly desired.
• Systems Familiarity: Prior experience operating satellite ground systems, telemetry architectures, or satellite tracking networks is an asset.

Peraton is seeking a highly skilled and disciplined Aerospace Spacecraft Operations Controller to join our mission-critical Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) aerospace team. In this role, you will be responsible for executing real-time spacecraft payload commands, monitoring telemetry, managing ground control systems, and ensuring the health and safety of an orbital asset throughout its entire lifecycle.

This position demands sharp problem-solving capabilities, strict adherence to procedural checklists, and the flexibility to support continuous operations via a rotating shift schedule.

The position supports real-time operations, monitoring, and command and control of the LCRD payload from the Laser Mission Operations Center (LMOC) located at WSC.

This position is responsible for:

• Real-Time Operations: Function as a console operator performing real-time satellite payload contacts. Configure, test, and control command and control ground equipment during pre-pass, pass, and post-pass periods.
• Lifecycle Support: Support overall system readiness, mission planning, preparation, execution, and evaluation spanning satellite payload on-orbit operations, and end-of-life (EOL) retirement and disposal.
• Data & Mission Analysis: Perform task scheduling, data trending, performance analysis, real-time operations tracking, and LCRD payload anomaly resolution.
• Documentation & Procedures: Assist in the development, review, and maintenance of mission-specific documentation, including standard operating procedures (SOPs), on-console handbooks, support plans, Operations Directives (OD), and test plans.
• Conflict Resolution: Conduct real-time conflict resolutions to optimize the acquisition, tracking, commanding, control, and telemetry data acquisition for multiple operational customers.
• Anomaly Response: Implement anomaly response plans during critical events. Participate actively in tiger-team discussions, propose and evaluate recovery actions, implement approved technical solutions, and generate comprehensive anomaly reports.
• Systems Evaluation: Conduct continuous, real-time evaluation of spacecraft, payload, and ground systems status to ensure full compliance with established mission and safety requirements.
• Schedule & Shift Structure: This position requires occasional 24/7 mission support and will require the ability to work various rotating shifts, including nights, holidays, and weekends.

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