Systems Integration and Test (SI&T) Engineer / Space Communications

We are seeking a Systems Integration and Test (SI&T) Engineer to join our team based at Wallops Flight Facility (WFF), located in Wallops Island, Virginia.  You will be joining a team that performs systems analysis, software and hardware integration and testing, and sustainment of operational and test systems in support of NASA’s Near Space Network (NSN).  This position is located full time on-site at WFF, however, periodic remote telework may be accommodated dependent on required team activities.

As prime contractor on NASA’s Space Exploration Networks Services and Evolution (SENSE) contract, Peraton is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and sustainment of NASA’s global satellite communication networks.  In this position, you will become part of NASA’s return to the moon and support new Earth and space science missions. You will be an integral part of a world class team that ensures NASA space-ground communications are reliable, robust, and able to meet the mission’s operational requirements.

In this role, you will support Systems Engineering Integration & Test (SEIT) activities on the NASA SENSE program for Government Owned, Contractor Operated (GOCO) Direct-to-Earth (DTE) ground stations. The position includes supporting the operation, maintenance, and sustainment of systems located at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), Wallops Flight Facility (WFF), White Sands Complex (WSC), McMurdo Ground Station (MGS), and Alaska Satellite Facility (ASF). 

The SENSE DTE SEIT team supports cross functional disciplines including Hardware/Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, IT Security, Operations, and Maintenance for DTE projects. This will include the study, design, development, integration, testing, verification and operational deployment of ground-based hardware and software, including development and validation of new technologies to enable future space and science missions.  

Peraton 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 and highly differentiated national security solutions and technologies that keep people safe and secure. Peraton serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies across the intelligence, space, cyber, defense, civilian, health, and state and local markets. Every day, our employees do the can’t be done, solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers.

This position will be responsible for: 

• Development, execution, and tracking of hardware and software test procedures/plans in support of operational system deployment.
• Continuous contributions to hardware and software testing efforts occurring at WFF and remote sites by DTE Engineering and Operations.
• Interface with personnel from a variety of disciplines to ensure successful integration of hardware and software to operational and test systems.
• Collaboration with technical engineering and operations teams to identify, resolve, and mitigate hardware and software obsolescence, operational system performance anomalies, and IT Security non-compliance.
• Independently organize cross-functional working groups to develop scenario testing plans, procedures, documentation, and operator training.
• Implementation of associated SENSE System Engineering Management Plan (SEMP) processes, procedures, and documentation, including contributions to major project milestone reviews with the NASA customer.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• Education/Experience: degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Physics, Math, or other related technical field and related experience is required as follows: 2+ years’ experience with BS/BA degree, 4+ years’ experience with AS/AA; without a degree, 6+ years of related experience is allowable.
• Experience with System Engineering methodologies, processes, and engineering project life cycle activities including hardware and/or software integration and testing.
• Experience working with customers to document, derive, and develop requirements.
• Experience in creation of Test Strategy, Plans, and Summary Reports.
• Experience with Windows and Linux Operating Systems.
• Experience using Microsoft (MS) Office Tools to produce PowerPoint briefings, MS Project schedules, MS Word documents, and generate/manipulate Excel files.
• Strong interpersonal skills and effective written and verbal communication skills
• Security clearance - this position requires the candidate to be able to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance, which requires US citizenship.    

DESIRED EXPERIENCE

• Knowledge of NASA’s Near Space Network GOCO DTE architecture and associated ground stations.
• Demonstrated experience with Integration and Testing supporting NASA satellite communication ground stations.
• Experience with development and implementation of automation practices via scripting (e.g., C++, Python, MATLAB, Perl, UNIX) and/or use of no/low code automation tools (e.g., Power Automate).
• Knowledge of and experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) processes, software, and associated modeling languages (e.g., SysML).
• Knowledge of Agile development practices and methodology, including experience with Jira.
• Knowledge of radio frequency (RF) communication architectures and associated ground station equipment.
• Knowledge of network architecture and technologies, including experience with configuration of network switches and firewalls.
• Experience in performing engineering activities per defined configuration management policies.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate and execute concurrent tasks and projects via collaboration with cross-functional and geographically diverse teams.
• Familiarization of NASA IT Security/Cybersecurity standards and associated experience with identified vulnerabilities mitigation.
• The ability to work with a diverse group of suppliers, vendors and Government employees.

#CivilSpace

#SENSE25

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.