Controls Operations Engineer

Peraton is seeking a Controls Operations Engineer in the Monrovia, CA office to support our Deep Space Network (DSN) and Maintenance M&O contract with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and NASA. The Deep Space Network is NASA’s international array of giant radio antennas that supports interplanetary spacecraft missions, plus a few that orbit the Earth. The DSN also provides radar and radio astronomy observations that improve our understanding of the solar system and larger universe.

The antennas of the Deep Space Network are the indispensable link to explorers venturing beyond Earth. They provide the crucial connection for commanding our spacecraft and receiving their never-before-seen images and scientific information on Earth, propelling our understanding of the universe, our solar system and ultimately, our place within it.

The DSN Facilities Controls Operations Engineer (OE) is responsible for sustaining and supporting the operational controller assemblies in the Facilities and Antenna Subsystems serving NASA’s Deep Space Communications Complexes (DSCCs) in Australia, Spain and California. The Control assemblies encompass a wide range of disciplines spanning Electrical, Mechanical (HVAC), Water, Security, Cybersecurity, and Fire systems. These systems provide infrastructure support to acquire critical mission data to our Signal Processing Centers (SPCs) by utilizing the Multi-frequency Antennas at each complex. The Controls OE will be responsible for maintaining and updating controls systems for each of the disciplines mentioned above amongst other duties. The candidate will work closely with the respective disciplines operations engineers and development engineers to identify solutions.

The candidate will assist in the planning, reviewing designs, analyzing, cost estimating, maintaining and overall technical direction of the subsystem in support of the DSN, Development, Operations and Service Office (DDOSO), Office 925 at NASA’s JPL.

Responsibilities:

• Assist the Cognizant Development Engineer in project implementation of repairing or replacing existing systems. The candidate may be expected to take the technical lead in the implementation of smaller projects involving research and coordinating with subcontractors to achieve project milestones. Controls OE will work closely as a reviewer for the Controls Design Engineer for new projects.
• Understanding in power distribution, generation, and protection to ensure safety of equipment, operations, and personnel. Fundamental understanding of various sensor equipment as data or trend analysis will be extracted and be a core delivery of the Controls OE.
• Understanding of HVAC components such as fans, compressors, chillers, dampers, actuators, flowmeters. Capability to follow through a sequence of operations and identify issues/concerns.
• Basic understanding of non-linear electrical components (transistors, diodes, SCRs, AC-DC/DC-AC converters/inverters).
• Experience with diagnosing Ladder Logic and debugging PLC programs. Experience with Automated Logic and Johnson Metasys systems are a plus. Skills with DDC and DCS are also desirable. HMI and GUI troubleshooting for system operations.
• Candidate must have capability to troubleshoot unknowns during a modification project. Candidate should be able to read, understand, and mark-up wiring diagrams, schematics, and document how the system was modified or as built.
• Provide technical assistance and guidance to operations and maintenance personnel for issues on Control systems. This may include Fiber optic controllers, Fire System controllers, Security Controllers, Surveillance Video Controllers and other Facilities Infrastructure disciplines as required. Support faculty, consultants and field technicians as required and create an analysis and resolution on system problems. Create trade-off studies (cost-benefit analysis) by interfacing with vendors/manufacturers on replacement solutions.
• Controls OE shall serve as a test engineer during commissioning of new Controls projects; this includes occasional travel as necessary.
• Maintain and review files/operational data/records related to configuration assets. Keep an overview of automation improvements within the DSN.
• Identify equipment spares and product obsolescence. Keep in communication with vendors with regards to Field Service Bulletins and evaluate change logs. Forecast end of life support for various controllers and Facilities systems.
• Assist site administrators with cybersecurity requirements as needed per assembly.
• Support the DSN Engineering Change Management (ECM) Board in the development, evaluation and costing of Engineering Change Requests (ECRs), the preparation and delivery of Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) or Modification Kits (Modkits), and the troubleshooting, resolution and closure of Discrepancy Reports (DRs).
• Possess a working knowledge of industry best standards and other relevant codes.
• Possess experience working with maintenance reports, trending analysis, and specifying equipment replacements.

Required Qualifications

• 0 years with BS/BA; 4 years no degree
• Are able to obtain a trusted background check and pass a National Criminal Information Check (NCIC).  In order to obtain a clearance, you need to be a US Citizen and show proof of citizenship. 
• Demonstrated experience with at least one general-purpose programming language (e.g. Assembly, C, C++, Python, etc.)
• Demonstrated experience with the following -  linear electrical/electronic components (resistors, capacitors, relays), electro-mechanical components (actuators, AC/DC motors, VFD or VSD, motor controllers), serial and parallel communication protocols (I2C, Modbus, CAN bus, BACnet)
• Basic understanding with Building Management System (BMS) such as ALC and Carrier system such as Johnson Metasys.
• Basic understanding of various sensor equipment (pressure, flow, voltage, current), analog and discrete inputs/outputs (I/O), Ladder logic/PLC programming.

Desired Qualifications

• Engineer in Training (EIT) Certification or Professional Engineering (PE) License. 
• Project Manager Professional (PMP) Certification
• Basic understanding of AC power, especially medium voltage, UPS’s, protection devices
• Basic understanding of non-linear electrical/electronic components (transistors, diodes, AC-DC/DC-AC converters/inverters)
• Basic understanding of project/task management
• Able to multi-task, adapt to change quickly, are an analytical thinker and are detail oriented.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Able to work independently with minimal direction
• Seeks out answers and the people who can provide them
• Ability to communicate in Spanish is a plus

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.