Ground Controller at NASA (Engineer I) - Military veterans preferred

Title:

Ground Controller at NASA (Engineer I)

The Ground Controller (GC) team is responsible for the ground systems infrastructure and ground communications necessary to perform planning, training, testing, execution, and evaluation of human spaceflight mission operations at the Johnson Space Center Mission Control Center (MCC). The GC is the MCC flight control room position reporting to the Flight Director for the operations of the MCC systems, Space and Ground Networks, International Partner (IP) remote gateways, payload and other operations control center interfaces.

The GC develops and executes procedures to monitor, control, and direct the ground systems resources required to meet the test, simulation, or mission operations objectives. This includes direct interaction with operations, maintenance, sustaining engineering and management personnel as well as contractors, NASA and International Partners. The GC coordinates, manages, and analyzes options to ensure the resource requirements, configurations, and capabilities are identified, scheduled and ready to perform nominal and off-nominal human space flight operations.

The GC chairs meetings, leads working groups, establishes and responds to actions, initiates reviews and coordinates the resolution of problems, constraints and stalemated issues that affect an operation’s performance. The GC represents the MCC Operations Support Team (OST) regarding the ground instrumentation operations status in working groups and decision-making forums. The OST is part of the GC team outside the flight control room responsible for ensuring the MCC systems are operational and ready to be used non-stop.

Domestic and International travel is required to participate in technical interchange meetings, establish working relationships and procedural agreements. Compliance with the personnel reliability program for flight critical personnel and security standards is required.

Top Roles and Responsibilities

1. Focal point for managing the operational configuration of the ground network data and communications systems to ensure the readiness of these systems to perform the various missions, simulation and test activities. Personnel supporting these networks across the globe are responsible to the GC during real-time operations.
2. Develops and provides status presentations, mission overview presentations, and readiness presentations to contractor and NASA management.
3. Leads the Operations Support Team (OST) mission planning, preparation and execution by ensuring procedures are current, accurate and performed in accordance with mission operations standards. Includes performing the role of book manager or technical authority for procedure manuals.
4. The Mission/Increment lead GC is responsible for coordinating and documenting the configuration of MCC, Space and Ground data and communication networks for spaceflight tests and missions.
5. The GC ensures the availability and operability of the MCC facilities and all inter-center interfaces to/from:

a. International Partner control centers

b. Visiting Vehicle Control Centers,

c. Payload Operations Control Centers

d. NASA Centers, Ground Network stations and facilities

e. NASA Space Network terminals

f. Department of Defense C-band Radar tracking network stations and control center

g. Spacecraft launch and landing facilities

1. Establishes and maintains technical competency and cognizance of the control center systems, support plans, problems, and resolution status. Includes active participation in the training and certification process. Continually receives training on new systems, capabilities and missions/increments, and provides knowledge transfer training to peers.
2. Operates the GC console for assigned tests, simulations and flight operations. Configures and manages the ground data systems/communications.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science degree in engineering, science, mathematics or other technically related area, plus 0-2-years’ experience related to space flight operations, control center operations and/or ground or space network operations. Related experience can be in one or more of the following skill areas:

o Spacecraft ground processing systems

o Telemetry, command or trajectory data systems

o Spacecraft simulator systems

o Space-to-ground communication systems

o Large network data transport systems

o International Space Station communication systems

In addition candidates must:

• Be team oriented

• Possess strong written and verbal communication skills

• Have strong decision making and problem resolution capabilities

• Demonstrate good PC skills and familiarity with networks

• Be able to work a flexible and dynamic work schedule

• All candidates must pass an annual flight physical

• Successful candidates must be able to apply for and successfully receive and maintain security clearance per eligibility requirements

Desired skills that add to a person’s capabilities but are not required:

• Current or previous certification in one or more of the JSC Mission Control Center Operations Support Team (OST) positions

• Knowledge of International Space Station communication systems, radios, computers, video, voice systems, satellite systems, and antennas.

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

KBR is a global provider of differentiated professional services and technologies across the asset and program lifecycle within the Government Solutions and Energy sectors. KBR employs approximately 38,000 people worldwide (including our joint ventures), with customers in more than 80 countries, and operations in 40 countries, across three synergistic global businesses:

Government Solutions , serving government customers globally, including capabilities that cover the full lifecycle of defense, space, aviation and other government programs and missions from research and development, through systems engineering, test and evaluation, program management, to operations, maintenance, and field logistics

Technology Solutions , featuring proprietary technology, equipment, catalysts, digital solutions and related technical services for the monetization of hydrocarbons, including refining, petrochemicals, ammonia and specialty chemicals, as well as inorganics

Energy Solutions , including onshore oil and gas; LNG (liquefaction and regasification)/GTL; oil refining; petrochemicals; chemicals; fertilizers; differentiated EPC; maintenance services (Brown & Root Industrial Services); offshore oil and gas (shallow-water, deep-water, subsea); floating solutions (FPU, FPSO, FLNG & FSRU); program management and consulting services

KBR is proud to work with its customers across the globe to provide technology, value-added services, integrated EPC delivery and long term operations and maintenance services to ensure consistent delivery with predictable results. At KBR, We Deliver .