Supervisor, Engineering (NASA Balloon Program)

Peraton provides management and technical support for NASA's scientific balloon program which supports enabling science missions for NASA and universities across the United States and foreign scientific communities. Scientific balloon missions provide researchers inexpensive, relatively quick, long duration access to near space altitudes and environments. Balloon missions cost orders of magnitude less than satellite missions and provide platforms for heavy experiments (some greater than 5000 lbs)... to operate for weeks and even months. Balloon missions have provided significant science theories and discoveries about cosmic rays, gamma ray and x-ray astronomy, optical and UV astronomy, atmospheric sciences, and cosmic microwave background studies.

Our staff are located at the Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility (CSBF) in Palestine, TX where we design, analyze, build and assembly the support hardware and balloon gondola payloads for the missions. We launch the balloons from locations within the United States (Texas, New Mexico, and Hawaii) and around the world including Antarctica, Sweden, New Zealand and Australia. Our engineers and technician staff support the launches and balloon and payload recoveries in the US and many worldwide locations.

Peraton's NASA Balloon Operations Contract (NBOC) program is seeking an Engineering Supervisor to join our team in Palestine, Texas.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

Supervise, monitor, direct, and evaluate work of assigned staff (riggers)
• Supervises the operation, maintenance, and repair of specialized equipment
• Serve as lead technician in providing electronic/mechanical support; participate in design/program reviews
• Responsible for guidance and safety during launch,, flight, and recovery operations
• Long-term planning and logistical support of domestic and international balloon operations; coordinate with FAA; interface between NBOC II and NASA Customers
• Coordinate training of subordinates consistent with existing procedures and policies
• Supervise and oversee crew chief training
• Provide technical assistance to co-workers and Customers at the project management level for problem resolution
• Maintain equipment and supplies; perform inventory and generate purchase orders for expendables
• Develop safety procedures relating to electronic fabrication and ensure safe working environment
• Prepare detailed procurement specifications
• Develop technical drawings and schematics
• Use and care of tools and equipment used in the work

Specific Requirements / Licensing

• Ability to perform strenuous physical activities, i.e., recurrent walking, bending, climbing, lifting up to 50 pounds
• Possess or obtain within 3 months and maintain a Commercial Driver's License
• Crew Chief training

Special Requirements

• Must be able to travel to support campaigns in various locations around the world
• Must have or be able to obtain a passport

Required Qualifications:

• High School diploma with a minimum of 6 years of experience, military experience is a plus
• Knowledge of methods and techniques involved with assembly and testing of mechanical hardware, basic mechanical theory and application.
• Skilled in the use of industrial sewing machine, hand and power tools, use of mechanical test equipment, i.e. pressure gauges, load cells, and scales.
• Must be able to travel up to 60% of the year
• Must be able to pass the physical (medical) requirements to travel to Antarctica
• Must be a US Citizen
• Must be able to obtain travel visa and maintain a passport

Desired Qualifications

• NASA Balloon experience
• Critical thinking and problem solving skills
• Ability to perform and document preventative maintenance on light equipment.

Peraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world's leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees do the can't be done by solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Visit peraton.com to learn how we're keeping people around the world safe and secure.