Power Operations Engineer

Responsibilities

 

Peraton is seeking a Power Operations Engineer in the Monrovia, CA office to support our Deep Space Network (DSN) and Maintenance M&O contract with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and NASA. The Deep Space Network is NASA’s international array of giant radio antennas that supports interplanetary spacecraft missions, plus a few that orbit the Earth. The DSN also provides radar and radio astronomy observations that improve our understanding of the solar system and larger universe.

 

The antennas of the Deep Space Network are the indispensable link to explorers venturing beyond Earth. They provide the crucial connection for commanding our spacecraft and receiving their never-before-seen images and scientific information on Earth, propelling our understanding of the universe, our solar system and

ultimately, our place within it.

 

The DSN Facilities Power Operations Engineer (OE) is responsible for sustaining and supporting the development of the Power assemblies in the Facilities and Antenna Subsystems serving NASA’s Deep Space Communications Complexes (DSCCs) in Australia, Spain and California.  The Power assemblies encompass Low-Voltage & Medium-Voltage Power Distribution, Protection, and Generation equipment amongst other assemblies. Facilities Engineering also provides critical support for the Signal Processing Centers (SPCs) and Multi-frequency Antennas at each of three complexes.

 

Responsibilities:

• Assist the Cognizant Development Engineer in project implementation of repairing or replacing existing systems. The candidate may be expected to take the technical lead in the implementation of smaller projects involving research and coordinating with subcontractors to achieve project milestones.
• Fundamental understanding in power distribution, generation, and protection is a must to ensure safety of equipment, operations, and personnel. This role will include creating Arc Flash Evaluations and Short-circuit studies to identify power system is up to date with NFPA 70E. Coordination and Time Current Curves evaluations are also expected within the role.
• Candidate must have capability to troubleshoot unexpected unknowns during a modification project. Candidate should be able to read, understand, and mark-up wiring diagrams, schematics, and documentation to record how the system was modified or as built.
• Provide technical assistance and guidance to operations and maintenance personnel for issues on Power systems. Support facility, consultants and field technicians in different time zones as required and creating an analysis and resolution on system problems.
• Power OE shall serve as a test engineer during commissioning of new power projects; this includes occasional travel as necessary. Candidate will be responsible for releasing DSN documentation associated with equipment commissioning.
• Maintain and review files/operational data/records related to configuration assets. Keep overview of DSN power maintenance and schedule downtimes accordingly and efficiently amongst other tasks.
• Verify and ensure that new power system deliveries are compatible with existing building infrastructure and codes. Identify equipment spares and product obsolescence. Maintain vendor/distributor communication with regards to Field Service Bulletins.
• Assist in planning, design, analysis, cost estimating, sparing, and overall technical directions of the subsystem. Assist site administrators with cybersecurity requirements as needed per assembly.
• Support the DSN Engineering Change Management (ECM) Board in the development, evaluation and costing of Engineering Change Requests (ECRs), the preparation and delivery of Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) or Modification Kits (Modkits), and the troubleshooting, resolution and closure of Discrepancy Reports (DRs).
• The candidate will be expected to quickly familiarize themselves with the forms and functions of the DSN Power assemblies in both the Facilities and Antenna Subsystems, working closely in coordination with supporting electrical and control engineers, as well as with operations personnel at the DSCCs.
• Possess a working knowledge of NFPA, NETA, IEEE, and other relevant codes/standards and always be complying.
• Possess experience working with maintenance reports, trending analysis, and specifying equipment replacements.
• Review, archive, plot, recommend, and report concerns related to oil sampling reports on Medium Voltage Transformers. Identify lead times for transformer and other critical equipment. Identify and eliminate single point of failure distribution points within the subsystem.

 

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• 0 years with BS/BA; 4 years no degree
• Are able to obtain a trusted background check and pass a National Criminal Information Check (NCIC).  In order to obtain a clearance, you need to be a US Citizen and show proof of citizenship. 
• You are proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point and working knowledge of latest Windows operating system.
• Demonstrated experience with at least one general-purpose programming language (e.g. Assembly, C, C++, Python, etc.)
• Demonstrated experience with linear electrical/electronic components (resistors, capacitors, relays)
• Basic understanding of Ladder logic/PLC programming

Desired Qualifications

• Engineer in Training (EIT) Certification or Professional Engineering (PE) License. 
• Project Manager Professional (PMP) Certification
• Basic understanding of AC power, especially medium voltage, UPS’s, protection devices
• Basic understanding of non-linear electrical/electronic components (transistors, diodes, AC-DC/DC-AC converters/inverters)
• Basic understanding of project/task management
• Able to multi-task, adapt to change quickly, are an analytical thinker and are detail oriented.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Able to work independently with minimal direction
• Seeks out answers and the people who can provide them
• Ability to communicate in Spanish is a plus

Peraton Overview

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.

Target Salary Range

$51,000 - $82,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.