Antarctic Facility Manager

Leidos

14d•Onsite

About The Position

The Antarctic Support Contract Group at Leidos currently has an opening for a Facility Manager to work in Antarctica at the Long Duration Balloon facility. This is an exciting opportunity to use your skills to manage and maintain a National Science Foundation site that supports NASA science groups who launch research instruments into the stratosphere using large helium balloons. The position reports to the Long Duration Balloon science implementation manager and is responsible for supervising one field coordinator on site. Deployment to Antarctica is required in this role. Deployment length is expected to be for 6 months, starting in late August 2026. The candidate in the position must complete the physical and dental examinations required by the NSF for deploying to Antarctica. The role is full-time from mid-August through mid-February during deployment, and part-time from the United States February through August. Due to contract requirements, US Citizenship is required. Must obtain a Public Trust security clearance prior to start date. This process could take up to 4 months. If this sounds like an environment where you can thrive, keep reading! About the Antarctic Support Contract: Leidos Antarctic Support Contract (ASC) is the prime contractor to the National Science Foundation (NSF) in support of the United States Antarctic Program (USAP). Leidos supports the NSF’s Office of Polar Program’s Antarctic Infrastructure and Logistics by aligning with their Mission and Vision Statements: Vision: Expanding our scientific reach in Antarctica through increased operational and logistical effectiveness. Mission: To provide the operational and logistical platform necessary for the U.S. to conduct world-class science in Antarctica and maintain its active and influential presence on the continent. Leidos ASC provides science and logistics support for approximately 150 science and technical events across three geographically remote research stations; McMurdo Station, Palmer Station, and South Pole Station and several deep field sites across Antarctica. Each station or field site supports world class research across multiple science disciplines. The planning and implementation of science support requirements in Antarctica is a critical part of our mission. To learn more about the Leidos Antarctic Support contract, click here. The Challenge: Work closely with the LDB Science Implementation Manager to provide on-site management of the LDB facility during the Austral summer season. Coordinate support for facility set up, maintenance, winterization, and balloon launches with NASA, fleet operations, shuttles, cargo, construction, IT/Communications, food services, operations, and station management. Supervise one field coordinator and provide on-site guidance to Fleet Ops and Galley staff. Assist with coordination of payload recoveries with aviation operations, field management, operations, Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility personnel, and grantees. Work with science cargo, Crary Lab, and transportation and logistics personnel to coordinate the retro of payloads. Assist with off-ice planning and procurement annually, during the Austral winter season, on a part-time basis. Provide safety and support briefings, particularly briefings regarding safe travel procedures, transportation schedules, communications support, and LDB bandwidth restrictions. Attend weekly organizational meetings to provide status reports. Report scope changes to LDB science implementation manager, project manager, and McMurdo science implementation manager. Must be available for all balloon launches to assist during payload recoveries. Availability for the Winfly (mid-August to October) season is strongly preferred.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college in a related science or technical discipline, or equivalent experience/combined education, with 6+ years of professional experience in a similar role; or Master’s degree in related discipline with 4+ years of professional experience.
Minimum 4 years in polar science support or equivalent remote environment.
Able to adapt to changing schedules and priorities.
Strong leadership, management, and organizational and communications skills.
Technical proficiency in using spreadsheets, word documents, asset management software like Maximo, email, timesheet tracking software, and web-based communication and planning interfaces.
Ability to interact with National Science Foundation, research scientists, military and other agency officials in a professional and tactful manner.
Should possess deep knowledge of discipline and ability to manage and execute highly complex or specialized projects or processes.
Must be a strong team leader and player with the ability to integrate the Long Duration Balloon facility team with other groups.
Ability to assign and track work, maintain schedules, and train staff.
Must be a US citizen or green card holder.

Nice To Haves

Experience leading change efforts and implementing new systems or processes.

Responsibilities

Work closely with the LDB Science Implementation Manager to provide on-site management of the LDB facility during the Austral summer season.
Coordinate support for facility set up, maintenance, winterization, and balloon launches with NASA, fleet operations, shuttles, cargo, construction, IT/Communications, food services, operations, and station management.
Supervise one field coordinator and provide on-site guidance to Fleet Ops and Galley staff.
Assist with coordination of payload recoveries with aviation operations, field management, operations, Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility personnel, and grantees.
Work with science cargo, Crary Lab, and transportation and logistics personnel to coordinate the retro of payloads.
Assist with off-ice planning and procurement annually, during the Austral winter season, on a part-time basis.
Provide safety and support briefings, particularly briefings regarding safe travel procedures, transportation schedules, communications support, and LDB bandwidth restrictions.
Attend weekly organizational meetings to provide status reports.
Report scope changes to LDB science implementation manager, project manager, and McMurdo science implementation manager.
Must be available for all balloon launches to assist during payload recoveries.
Availability for the Winfly (mid-August to October) season is strongly preferred.