Material Testing Technician

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 assemble 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 Mechanical Technician to join our team.

 

Responsibilities of the position: 

• Observe applicable laboratory and work environment safety and job hazard instructions
• Crosstrain on all laboratory equipment
• Support audits and inspections as required
• Provide maintenance for all laboratory equipment, including timely service and repair
• Daily up-keep of laboratory space, equipment, inventory, and assets
• Maintain the 3,500 balloon liquid nitrogen tank located outside building F-7 while observing all safety requirements for handling of cryogenics
• Per NASA-STD-8739.12 and GPR-8730.1N
• Maintain current calibration of equipment where required
• Maintain calibration records for review/audit

Operate -

• Instron static, hydraulic, and Advanced Video Extensometer (AVE)
• Data Imaging Correlation (DIC) equipment
• Thermal and Thermal Vacuum (TVAC) chambers
• National Instruments (NI) software and hardware
• Design and fabricate various hardware/devices to support requested custom testing
• Maintain Balloon Research and Development Laboratory (BRDL) database (electronic and physical)

Primary work on-site Wallops Flight Facility

 

Required Qualifications:

• High School diploma or GED with five years of experience
• Knowledge of materials properties testing
• Familiarity with relevant professional standards for material properties testing
• Analysis and interpretation of test data
• Uniaxial tensile testing, Photogrammetry testing, Creep/relaxation of material testing, Thermal vacuum environmental testing, Cold brittle testing
• Has certification, or can obtain certification: Instron testing equipment, Cryogenics safety, handling, operation
• Ability to pass the National Science Foundation physical (medical) requirement to work in Antarctica including latest FLU vaccination
• Must be a US citizen and able to obtain a NASA PIV badge and passport

Desired Qualifications:

• Equipment troubleshooting
• Handling of delicate test specimens
• Familiarity with 3D printing and materials quality assurance
• Has certification, or can obtain certification: Powered industrial truck (mechanical forklift) operations, Overhead crane operations and rigging, Personnel lifts (e.g. manlifts, scissor lifts), Fall protection

 

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.

The rate / range per hour below 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.

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