Microwave / Transmitter Operations Engineer

Seeking an Microwave / Transmitter Operations Engineer to support our Deep Space Network (DSN) Operations and Maintenance O&M contract with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and NASA in Monrovia, CA.

The Deep Space Network is NASA’s international array of giant radio antennas that supports interplanetary spacecraft missions, plus a few that orbit Earth. The DSN also provides radar and radio astronomy observations that improve our understanding of the solar system and the larger universe.

Under general direction/guidance from the Antenna Engineering Supervisor, the ideal candidate be responsible for sustaining engineering and maintenance support of microwave communication and support equipment utilized on JPL / NASA Deep Space Network (DSN) large fully-steerable reflector antennas.  

The selected candidate will also be expected to perform failure analyses, trend performance data, interface with the JPL transmitter and microwave engineers to sustain existing field systems and participate in the implementation of new and obsolescence replacement equipment.

Responsibilities:

• Analyze and troubleshoot issues / problems that the personnel at the antenna sites are experiencing. 
• Maintain on-line transmitter and microwave configuration and performance data.
• Maintain netwide cognizance of performance issues and coordinate vendor repair and JPL support as needed.
• Generate reports and prepare and provide verbal presentations to Peraton and JPL management
• Research, recommend, and justify new parts or equipment for obsolete or soon-to-be-obsolete parts or equipment and phase-out plans.
• Advocate for the installed infrastructure on the behalf of the maintenance staffs and the antenna operators, for ease of use, reliability and maintainability. 
• Participate in design reviews and facilitate the transfer of new hardware from development engineering to operations, including processing the shipment for delivery to the appropriate antenna location. 
• Be responsible for negotiating adequate sparing of new deliveries and the oversight of adequate spares at each antenna location
• Conduct acceptance testing on hardware in the subsystems assigned.  Some of this testing is performed at JPL (Pasadena, CA), while other testing is performed on the antennas at the tracking stations in Goldstone, California; Canberra, Australia and Madrid, Spain including possible required activities during nights and weekends.
• It is anticipated that there will be twice a month travel to Goldstone for one day activities, 6 times a year overnight and one or two 1-4 week trips to each of the two overseas complexes each year.
• Additional duties will be assigned, as required.

  Seeking an Operations Engineer to support our Deep Space Network (DSN) Operations and Maintenance O&M contract with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and NASA in Monrovia, CA.

   

Required Qualifications

• 2 years with BS/BA; 0 years with MS/MA; 6 years with no degree
• Exhibit clear communications and presentation skills. 
• Can produce clear, convincing presentations based on analysis of numerical information. 
• Are able to work well in a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary environment.
• Ability to lift up to 50lbs.
• Can climb 100' to 200' structures via ladders and stairs.
• Ability to undergo a trusted background check and pass a National Criminal Information Check (NCIC). In order to obtain a clearance, you need to be a US Citizen and show proof of citizenship.
• Must possess and retain a valid California Real ID driver’s license.

Desired Qualifications

• Possess prior experience supporting field installations with maintenance and troubleshooting and performing sparing analyses.
• Fundamental knowledge of satellite communications.
• 3 to 5 years progressive experience with microwave transmitters, low-noise amplifiers and power amplifiers, associated refrigeration and cooling equipment, and automated instrument measurement systems.