Aerostat Operator 2

About the Role

QinetiQ US is seeking an experienced Operator 2/Flight Director with specific experience in supporting aerostat operations to support aerostat systems providing persistent surveillance and detection capabilities to the U.S. Government customer across multiple operational sites in Rio Grande Valley, Texas along the US Southern border. The successful candidate will have experience managing aerostat flight operations on aerostat platforms of any size. You will be part of a comprehensive flight crew actively supporting aerostat pre-launch, launch, ascent, transition, station keeping, and recovery. You will work to coordinate installation repair and improvement projects with operational maintenance and repair timelines. You will report to the Aerostat Operations Director and Program Management Office for long-term planning of site activities and with the on-site personnel for daily execution.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the operational crew in a 24/7 operation in the areas of aerostat pre-launch, launch, ascent, transition, station keeping, and recovery.
• Direct and perform all aerostat electronic subsystem preflight and post-flight checks and inspections as required.
• Maintain status of local weather conditions and trends as they influence mission support.
• Communicate with the Control Center, Meteorological Forecast Facilities, and other Government agencies as appropriate.
• Prepare and maintain the flight system weight logs and the weight and balance records for the operational aerostat.
• Evaluate aerostat lift and purity trends. Report any unusual trends to management and recommend remedial action.
• Apply advanced technical knowledge to solve unusually complex problems in working on electronic equipment.
• Apply advanced technical knowledge and experiences to the overall aerostat system operations and maintenance.
• Function as a key member of the flight crew for inflation, deflation, launch, recovery, and in-flight activities.
• Operate the aerostat launch/recovery control systems including their back-up systems.
• Direct and perform corrective and preventive activities on the aerostat pressure and control subsystems, power subsystems, mechanical and hydraulic subsystems, aerostat hardware and rigging, tether subsystem, and aerostat envelope.
• Direct and perform operations and maintenance of compressed-gas equipment, including helium transfers to the aerostat for inflation and replenishment purposes.
• Train and certify other personnel in selected aerostat system procedures and on the proper operation of all aerostat special purpose vehicles.
• Direct and perform corrective and preventive maintenance on the aerostat telemetry and control subsystems, power and control subsystems, tether subsystem, meteorological equipment, ground station electronic subsystems, payload and communications subsystems, and site facility electronics as appropriate.
• Train and certify other personnel in selected aerostat electronic subsystem procedures.
• Exercise independent judgment in performing tasks such as making circuit analyses, calculating wave forms, tracing relationships in signal flow, and regularly using complex test instruments.
• Perform duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Site Lead to include Shift Lead, as required.

Requirements

• GED or High School Diploma.
• 2 years’ direct experience with Aerostat related systems. Associate and Bachelor of Science degree in any technical discipline can be substituted for years’ experience.
• Must obtain an Aerostat Flight Director Certification and remain current for continued employment.
• Valid U.S. Driver’s license required.
• Must be able to understand, speak, read, and write English fluently.
• Must be willing to work in a 24/7 shift scenario and be assigned to various shifts as required to meet mission requirements.
• Proof of U.S. residency required.
• Ability to carry up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to climb ladders.
• Ability to work from elevated platforms of 8 feet or higher and for extended periods of time.
• Ability to work in narrow and confined spaces under elevated temperatures.
• Successfully completed Background Investigation with a Favorable Suitability Determination, and issuance of DHS Suitability determination.

Pay

The rate for this role is $31.36 per hour USD. The rate provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. QinetiQ US considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.