Machinery Maintenance Mechanic

QinetiQ US•Sierra Vista, AZ

About The Position

QinetiQ US is seeking an experienced machinery maintenance mechanic to support the DHS Customs & Border Protection Tethered Aerostat Radar System (TARS) program. The program uses aerostat systems to provide persistent surveillance and detection capabilities at eight operational sites along the U.S. Southern border, including locations in Puerto Rico, Florida, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. The position supports aerostat flight-crew activities, including pre-launch, launch, ascent, transition, station keeping, and recovery, with responsibilities in telemetry and control operations. It also involves recurring mechanical maintenance on aerostat and radar systems, ground systems, and site equipment, along with related site operations support. The successful candidate will perform preventive and corrective maintenance, troubleshoot complex mechanical problems, maintain operational records, and support logistics, training, and site requirements. The role requires willingness to work a 24/7 shift schedule and to be assigned to various shifts according to mission needs.

Requirements

GED or high school diploma.
Three years of experience in mechanical maintenance; an associate or Bachelor of Science degree in any technical discipline may be substituted for the years of experience.
Ability to obtain flight operator certification.
Valid U.S. driver’s license.
Strong written and communication skills.
Willingness to work in a 24/7 shift scenario and be assigned to various shifts as required to meet mission requirements.
Proof of U.S. residency required.

Responsibilities

Serve as a senior machinery maintenance mechanic for assigned aerostat shift and site requirements.
Perform technical work using standard mechanics’ hand tools, including mechanical disassembly and assembly, wiring, soldering, operation of test equipment, aerostat fabric repair, and handling high-pressure gases such as helium and nitrogen.
Serve as a flight crew member, performing pre- and post-flight activities, launch and recovery, helium topping, snubbing, inflation and deflation, tether inspections, and emergency procedures for moored and airborne aerostat operations.
Make significant event and data entries in the mission flight log.
Perform required aerostat subsystem preflight and post-flight checks and inspections.
Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair aerostat structures, hydraulic systems, avionics, electrical components, generators, communications systems, and weather systems.
Monitor system performance.
Perform corrective and preventive maintenance on aerostat telemetry and control, power and control, tether, meteorological equipment, ground station, payload, communications, and site facility subsystems and equipment, as appropriate.
Apply advanced technical knowledge to solve unusually complex mechanical equipment problems that cannot typically be solved solely by consulting manufacturers’ manuals or similar documents.
Operate general-purpose and special-purpose vehicles, including man lifts to heights of 150 feet.
Maintain and understand site documentation, including parts request forms, equipment condition tags, timecards, and flight data and maintenance logs.
Calibrate site and test equipment as required.
Coordinate resupply and repair logistics for aerostat subsystems.
Train and certify other personnel in selected aerostat subsystem procedures.
Support security, logistics, and site-specific requirements when they do not conflict with primary maintenance responsibilities.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.