Sustainment Systems Engineer / Space Communications

Peraton is seeking a mid-senior level Systems Engineer to join our team at the White Sands Complex (WSC) in Las Cruces, NM.  The successful candidate will be responsible for systems engineering activities associated with the development of NASA communications ground systems in support of new human spaceflight programs and initiatives and NASA science missions.

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 TDRS 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:

• Support of the Space Relay mission, Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) constellation, and the NASA customer
• Requirements development, tracking, and analysis
• Develop systems engineering related documents for space communication and navigation system including – Concept of Operations (CONOPS), system requirements, system specifications, system architecture, Interface Control Documents (ICDs), verification and validation plans, system user’s guide etc.
• Providing systems engineering technical support across the SENSE organization, technical working groups, peer reviews, technical interchange meetings, and periodic status coordination meetings.
• Development, coordination and presentation of systems engineering Key Decision Point (KDP) Presentations (e.g., PDCR, SRR, CDR, SAR, ORR, etc.) for upper-level NASA and Peraton management
• Assessment of hardware, network, and/or software system designs and development of customized solutions to customer/user problems
• Perform technical trade studies and recommend solutions based on technical merit, costs and schedule to NASA customer related to implementation, sustainment or replacement of space communication and navigation assets
• Test and integration of new hardware and/or software into existing operational and support systems
• System analysis with emphasis on operational sustainability, risk, safety and security
• Use of engineering methodologies and techniques to perform technical trades.
• Proactively identifies technical problems during all project life phases.
• Performs failure analysis, risk analysis and recommends changes to the state of health of applicable systems
• Lead or support Request for Information/Request for Proposals (RFI/RFP) processes and solicit, engage and coordinate vendor technical responses
• Applying NASA standards, processes, procedures, and tools throughout the engineering and development life cycle.

Required Experience 

• A Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, computer science, mathematics, or related technical field.
• 5+ years of experience in the analysis, design, and development of communications systems.
• Prior experience leading and performing trade studies associated with ground systems and components.
• Prior experience coordinating and directing the work of peers.
• 5+ years of work experience in one or more of the following areas:
  • Ground Systems
  • Systems Sustainment
  • Network Engineering
• Experience with supporting the process of technically evaluating vendors associated with antenna procurement to include associated antenna subsystems
• Proficient with MS Office Suite (i.e. Excel, MS PowerPoint, MS Word, etc.).
• Knowledge of NASA system engineering lifecycle processes.
• Security clearance - this position requires the candidate to be able to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance.  In order to obtain a clearance you need to be a US Citizen and show proof of citizenship.

Desired Experience 

• Active security clearance
• Master's degree in: Systems Engineering, Aerospace, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, or Applied Mathematics.
• Familiarity with NASA System Engineering processes or the System Engineering discipline.
• Prior experience working with:
  • Space communication systems, Space Network, and TDRS knowledge.
  • NASA project(s).
  • Procurement, integration, verification, and validation.
  • Satellite ground station design/implementation/support
  • Modems (narrowband, wideband, etc.)
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail and accuracy while understanding broader technical issues.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both in written and verbal forms with vendors, peers, upper-level management and the NASA customer.
• Excellent organizational skills such as prioritizing and completing multiple tasks within critical deadlines.
• Ability to work in both a team environment and independently as a proactive self-starter.