Operations Lead - Mission Protection

The Operations Lead is a procedural and technical expert on systems performing Indications and Warnings (I&W) functions in defense of critical space assets and is responsible for enabling Battlespace Awareness and Mission Protection teams conducting 24/7 operators to succeed in a Space Warfighting domain. 

 

As the senior Battlespace Awareness (BSA) and Watch Operator (WO), you will maintain certification and readiness for these crew positions and guide the development of Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) and assist in course of action (COA) planning in support of mission protection. The successful candidate will maintain awareness on high-interest threat activity and support analysis, planning, training and exercise activities as an expert in space threat capabilities and orbital mechanics. Mission protection responsibilities include monitoring I&W systems, reporting threat risks and asset system operational statuses, critically analyzing threat pattern of behaviors, and identifying and mitigating intelligence gaps in adversary capabilities. 

 

The Operations Lead will work continuously to ensure existing and developing system tool capabilities are expediently integrated in current operational procedures, training materials and job aids. Additionally, the lead must understand system workflows, mission impacts during times of degradation and have the ability create temporary procedures for continuity of operations.  

 

Responsibilities: 

 

• Maintain dual certification in BSA and WO 24/7 crew positions and continue proficiency on applicable system tools (i.e., Systems Tool Kit (STK), and other I&W tools) 

• Development TTPs, COAs and work to improve thresholds for checklist entry criteria 

• Assist system integration efforts of latest I&W software tools and capabilities, guide alerting and entry criteria thresholds as a mission subject-matter-expert 

• Report on operations capabilities, system degradation, latencies and statuses that may impact the mission 

• Detect threat activity and maintain accurate terrestrial and space catalog databases  

• Routinely create reports, products and brief leadership daily and ad hoc for ongoing space events of interest  

• Analyze various satellite state position data sources, make pattern-of-life based assessments and report on vulnerabilities to mission assets  

• Prioritize and execute collection tasking using available asset resources 

• Participate in real world and exercise space event planning and execution efforts  

• Maintain Awareness of current high-interest terrestrial and space-based activity affecting space domain 

• Perform contingency tasks; initiate personnel recalls (when directed) and establish operations loops 

• Identify any system or intelligence gaps and assumptions that may pose a risk to mission success and report, manage and mitigate those risks 

• Work full-time on-site at a government facility in Springfield, VA  

  

***This position is contingent upon award of contract***  

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum experience: 8 years with a BS/BA, 6 years with an MS/MA, 3 years with a PhD, or 12 years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree. Experience must include space defense operations and/or space operations, including the use of flight safety or Indications & Warning (I&W) system tools (i.e., STK, ASW, DPS, DSS, MPS)
• Experience demonstrating applied knowledge of orbital mechanics, conjunction assessment or related satellite operations  
• Experience with STK, DSS, SPADOC, ATLAS or ASW systems 
• Active TS/SCI with adjudicated Poly 

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• 14+ years of combined prior space operations experience working as an orbital analyst, flight safety analyst, BSA, WO, or satellite mission planner at a ground station  
• SME-level understanding of orbital mechanics, flight safety tools and mission applications  
• 2+ years assigned National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) or partnered IC organizations  
• Advanced knowledge of foreign/domestic space & ground threat capabilities and space surveillance networks with prior experience in tasking space surveillance resources  
• Prior space launch custody and/or maneuver processing experience  
• Understanding of command structure, command authority and warfighting doctrine 
• Prior experience tasking space surveillance resources and processing space events 
• Experience advising and collaborating with military and civilian leaders  
• Prior experience leading operational teams and managing projects  

    

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.

$112,000 - $179,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual’s experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.

EEO: Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.