Systems Engineer - Space Programs

Peraton; Las Cruces (NM); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Peraton in Las Cruces, NM, supports NASA Space Relay operations at the White Sands Complex. The Systems Engineer will work on new and existing satellite communication systems for NASA, balancing integration, testing, and flight-readiness across ground terminals.

Responsibilities include interfacing with customers, performing system integration, and providing sustaining engineering across hardware, software and firmware.

Qualifications

• BS/BA degree with 4 years’ experience in electronic systems integration, AS/AA with 6 years technical experience in electronic systems integration or HS/GED with 9 years of technical experience.
• Experience with RF and signal propagation, modems, networking, networking analysis tools (e.g. WireShark).
• Security clearance required: ability to obtain DoD Secret and maintain clearance; U.S. citizenship and access to government worksite.

Responsibilities

• Provide support to NASA’s Space Relay operations including test and integration of electronic and electromechanical systems.
• Provide the technical interface between WSC and customers that utilize the Space Relay.
• Perform technical planning, system integration, configuration review, verification, and validation of requirements for new installations.
• Sustaining engineering support for ground systems hardware, software, and firmware; resolve issues with customer supports.
• Provide technical direction for development of complex network operations, test and integration products and services; coordinate activities for testing and customer test support.
• Provide Vector Controller and Engineering support to Human Space Flight, Expendable Launch Vehicle, and Robotic missions for LEOP activities.
• Provide inputs to MORR, NRD, LLR, and other reports as required by the customer.
• Position may require night shifts, weekends, and travel to customer meetings.

Skills

RF communications

Satellite ops

Spectrum analysis

Wireshark

Telemetry processors

DSP

Linux/Windows tools

Team interface

Education

BS/BA degree +4 years

AS/AA degree +6 years

HS/GED +9 years

Job description

Required Experience:

• Education/Experience - technical experience in electronic systems integration, RF communications, or satellite operations environment as follows: BS/BA degree and 4 years’ experience, AS/AA degree and 6 years technical experience in electronic systems integration or HS/GED and 9 years of technical experience in electronic systems integration or related fields.
• Experience with one or more of the following: RF and Signal propagation, modems, networking, networking analysis tools (e.g. WireShark), programmable telemetry processors, modulation and coding schema and/or digital signal processing.
• Performed signal measurements with spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, power meters, or other RF test equipment.
• Security clearance - this position requires the candidate to be able to obtain a DoD Secret security clearance and to maintain the clearance thereafter.
• You must be a US Citizen and show proof of citizenship.
• Must be able to maintain ability to access government worksite.

Desired Experience:

• An active Secret clearance.
• Prior experience working on the TDRS program.
• Understanding of the Human Space Flight customer.
• In depth knowledge of RF and signal propagation, modulation and coding schema, and/or digital signal processing.
• Experience with the use of operating system tools on both Linux and Windows machines.
• Strong communication skills for interfacing with internal and external customers.
• A self-starter with good problem-solving skills and ability to work independently or with a team.

We are seeking a Systems Engineer to support the Technical Operations and Analysis Department at the White Sand Complex in Las Cruces, NM. The successful candidate will be responsible for working on new and existing Space Relay projects for the Operations, Maintenance, Sustainment and Systems engineering of satellite communication systems for NASA.

Peraton is the prime contractor for NASA at the White Sands Complex (WSC) near Las Cruces, New Mexico. Operating here are two functionally identical satellite ground terminals: The White Sands Ground Terminal, and the Second TDRSS Ground Terminal. These ground terminals ensure uninterrupted communications between various ground stations, NASA’s orbiting fleet of Tracking and Data Relay Satellites (TDRS), customer spacecraft (satellites), and the computer systems that support such spacecraft. WSC serves as an interface for distributing satellite data to control centers and scientists who then use the daily influx of data to expand our ever-growing knowledge of the Earth and the universe.

This position will be responsible for the following:

• Provide support to NASA’s Space Relay (SR) operations including test and integration of electronic and electromechanical systems
• Provide the technical interface between WSC and customers that utilize the Space Relay
• Perform technical planning, system integration, configuration coding review, verification, and validation of requirements for new installations.
• Provides sustaining engineering support for ground systems hardware, software, and firmware, and resolve issues with customer supports.
• Provides technical direction for the development of technically complex network operations, test and integration products and services and coordinates all activities for operational scenario testing, SR compatibility testing, and support customer test activities.
• Provide Vector Controller and Engineering support to Human Space Flight, Expendable Launch Vehicle, and Robotic missions for Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP) activities.
• Provide inputs to the Mission Operational Readiness Review (MORR), Network Requirements Document (NRD), Lessons Learned Review (LLR), and other reports as required by the customer in support of mission objectives.
• Position is subject to support events that occur during night shift and weekends.
• Position may require travel to customer technical interchange meetings and network support meetings.