Aerostat Operator 2

QinetiQ US • Santa Teresa, NM

3d • Onsite

About The Position

QinetiQ US is seeking an experienced Aerostat Operator 2/Flight Director to support aerostat systems providing persistent surveillance and detection capabilities for a U.S. Government customer at multiple operational sites in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas, along the U.S. Southern border. The successful candidate will have experience managing flight operations on aerostat platforms of any size and will serve as part of a flight crew supporting all stages of aerostat operations, from pre-launch through recovery.

The position coordinates installation, repair, and improvement projects with operational maintenance and repair timelines. The employee reports to the Aerostat Operations Director and Program Management Office for long-term site planning and coordinates with on-site personnel for daily execution. The role operates in a 24/7 mission environment and includes operation, inspection, troubleshooting, maintenance, and repair of aerostat systems and related equipment.

Requirements

• GED or high school diploma.
• Two years of direct experience with aerostat-related systems; an Associate or Bachelor of Science degree in any technical discipline may substitute for the experience.
• Must obtain an Aerostat Flight Director Certification and maintain it as a condition of continued employment.
• Valid U.S. driver's license.
• Ability to understand, speak, read, and write English fluently.
• Willingness to work in a 24/7 shift scenario and be assigned various shifts as mission requirements demand.
• Proof of U.S. residency.
• Ability to carry up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to climb ladders.
• Ability to work on elevated platforms of 8 feet or higher for extended periods.
• Ability to work in narrow and confined spaces in elevated temperatures.
• Successful completion of a background investigation with a favorable suitability determination and issuance of a DHS suitability determination.

Responsibilities

• Serve as operational crew in a 24/7 operation, supporting aerostat pre-launch, launch, ascent, transition, station keeping, and recovery.
• Direct and perform aerostat electronic subsystem preflight and post-flight checks and inspections.
• Monitor local weather conditions and trends that may affect mission support.
• Communicate with the Control Center, Meteorological Forecast Facilities, and other Government agencies as appropriate.
• Prepare and maintain flight system weight logs and weight-and-balance records for the operational aerostat.
• Evaluate aerostat lift and purity trends, report unusual trends to management, and recommend remedial action.
• Apply advanced technical knowledge to troubleshoot unusually complex electronic equipment problems that cannot be resolved solely by consulting manuals or similar documentation.
• Apply advanced technical knowledge and experience to aerostat system operations and maintenance beyond what can be accomplished solely by reference to manufacturer manuals or similar O&M documentation.
• Serve as a key flight crew member for inflation, deflation, launch, recovery, and in-flight activities.
• Operate aerostat launch and recovery control systems, including backup systems.
• Direct and perform corrective and preventive work on aerostat pressure and control subsystems, power subsystems, mechanical and hydraulic subsystems, aerostat hardware and rigging, tether subsystem, and aerostat envelope.
• Direct and perform operation and maintenance of compressed-gas equipment, including helium transfers for aerostat inflation and replenishment.
• Train and certify personnel in selected aerostat system procedures and proper operation of aerostat special-purpose vehicles.
• Direct and perform corrective and preventive maintenance on aerostat telemetry and control subsystems, power and control subsystems, tether subsystem, meteorological equipment, ground station electronic subsystems, payload and communications subsystems, and site facility electronics as appropriate.
• Train and certify personnel in selected aerostat electronic subsystem procedures.
• Exercise independent judgment in tasks such as circuit analysis, waveform calculations, tracing signal-flow relationships, and use of complex test instruments.
• Perform additional duties assigned by the Site Lead, including serving as Shift Lead as required.
• Coordinate installation, repair, and improvement projects with operational maintenance and repair timelines.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED