Satellite Communications/Ground Systems Integration & Test Engineer

Job Summary

Peraton is seeking a Satellite Communications / Ground Systems Integration & Test Engineer to support the Space Exploration Networks Services and Evolution (SENSE) contract on-site at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), in Greenbelt, MD.

About the Role

The position involves working with NASA’s Space Relay (SR) fleet of Tracking and Data Relay Satellites (TDRS) and supporting all phases of the mission life cycle, from initial exploratory compatibility discussions to operational support.

Responsibilities

• Apprise potential new SR customers of system capabilities.
• Participate in requirement’s, design, test and operations readiness reviews and provide guidance to ensure designs and operations concepts are consistent with SR support policies and constraints.
• Develop and maintain high-level requirements, documentation defining service requirements, mission support parameters, interface design concepts and initial operations concepts.
• Work with customers to develop realistic operations profiles that can be used as input for network loading and characterization models.
• Prepare technical specifications from which ground terminal engineers can prepare cost estimates for adding new customers to the SR ground terminal infrastructure.
• Develop and maintain interface control documentation to define interfaces between customer facilities and the SR ground terminals.
• Perform liaison function between customer spacecraft engineering personnel and NASA Radio Frequency (RF) engineers.
• Contribute to and monitor progress against plan for integration and test efforts. Contribute to test plans and write briefing messages for engineering tests as the customer’s design progresses.
• Help customers transition to operations by leading the development of operations procedures and facilitating schedule and control system capabilities.
• Participate in engineering review boards to review and disposition discrepancy reports encountered during testing and operations support.
• Maintain service accounting records for assigned missions to determine if level of support is consistent with the requirements baselines.
• Present network status and respond to mission action items as part of monthly working group meetings and/or technical exchange meetings.

Required Qualifications

• A Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Physics, Math, or other related technical field, and 5+ years of related technical experience; or an MS degree and 3+ years of experience.
• Systems integration experience and a working knowledge of satellite ground terminal architectures and associated operations
• Requirements analysis, requirements management, test planning, and test procedure development
• Design, development, integration, and test of ground communication systems and subsystems
• Developing and presenting Key Decision Point (KDP) presentations (e.g., System Requirements /Design Reviews)
• This position requires the candidate to already have an active SECRET security clearance and be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI level clearance with a Polygraph.
• Must be a US Citizen and show proof of citizenship.
• Must be able to maintain ability to access government worksite.

Desired Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI with a Polygraph
• Strong written and oral communications to present material to team and customer
• Proficient with the Microsoft Office suite including complex macro-driven Excel spreadsheets
• Basic IT system administration experience (simple web pages, SharePoint, etc.)
• COMSEC experience (annual key changes, etc.)