Jr./Mid-Level RF Compatibility Test Engineer - Space Programs

About The Role

We are seeking an RF Compatibility Test Engineer to support our NASA customer in Greenbelt, MD. Peraton is the Prime Contractor on the SENSE Contract; responsible for the Operations, Maintenance, Sustainment and Systems Engineering of satellite communication systems for NASA. 

In this position your work will involve providing spacecraft to ground station compatibility testing, engineering testing, and integration support for missions, projects, systems, and ground network transitions and initiatives. Maintain and operate test and networking systems within a Compatibility Test Lab (CTL), a testing facility located at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). The CTL is used for prelaunch testing, engineering and proof of concept testing for the NASA Space Relay (SR) and Direct-To-Earth (DTE) network.

The work will include engineering troubleshooting, fault detection, and isolation. This position will also be responsible for the following:

• Perform testing (in accordance with test plans) with the SR and DTE to confirm RF compatibility of user spacecraft and the supporting ground network interfaces in accordance with test requirements and procedures.
• Review requirements, test plans and procedures.
• Setup and checkout equipment in test configurations.
• Setup and checkout various equipment interfaces such as local network interfaces, data and clock inputs and outputs, frequency standard references, RF signal levels and fiber optics.
• Support test team with knowledge of test procedures.
• Gather and summarize test results.
• Perform testing as described in Compatibility Test Plans. These tests may include travel to off-site locations such as spacecraft manufacturing sites, ground tracking stations, and/or Mission Operations Control Centers to emulate communication links between user spacecraft and the DTE and/or the SR.
• Perform radio frequency (RF) testing so that the measurement points are accessible through either RF or baseband interfaces and validate real-time authentication of telemetry, command and ranging systems.
• Perform signal investigation such as unique engineering tests for new modulation/demodulation techniques, new hardware, configurations; proof of concept testing for new antenna systems.
• Provide support in the acquisition, maintenance, and protection of resources in order to ensure that space communications systems can operate to their fullest capacity.
• Contribute to the ongoing modernization of the test environment by assisting with development or integration of networking and of increasingly automated procedures.
• Develop code to integrate COTS software into test automation suite
• Data collection
• Reporting
• Develop test procedures in accordance with test automation efforts 
• Refine reporting templates to align with data collection

#HIRE4SENSE

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Associate’s Degree in Engineering/Science/Math or related technical discipline and 2 years of related technical experience; without a degree, 6+ years of related experience is required
• Knowledge of RF systems: frequency bands, purpose of RF devices, measures, signal distortion
• RF engineering skills which include the ability to independently configure and operate RF test equipment: Spec An, Sig Gen, Oscilloscope
• Experience with configuring and operating baseband devices: modems, routers, switches
• Experience writing test plans, test set-up, interpreting results and explaining to others
• Knowledge of coding and modulation techniques
• Experience with MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, Visio and MS Word
• Ability to obtain a DOD secret clearance.
• Must be a US citizen.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience and knowledge of NASA’s SN and NEN Networks and associated communication systems.
• Experienced with Ethernet communications
• Knowledge of scripting (Python or similar)
• Experience with COSMOS software
• Able to work both independently and collaboratively in groups 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including presentation skills

Details

Target Salary Range: $51,000 - $82,000. This 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.

Benefits Statement: Peraton offers eligible employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, vision, life, health savings account, short/long term disability, EAP, parental leave, 401(k), paid time off (PTO) for vacation, and company paid holidays. A full listing of available benefits can be viewed at 

Application Statements: The application period for the job is estimated to be 30 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates. By applying to this job, you are expressing interest in the role and the Company. During the review of your application, you may be required to participate in an on-camera interview, as well as participate in a process to verify your identity. Use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools of any kind during Peraton interviews is strictly prohibited unless the candidate has obtained prior written authorization. All interview responses must be the candidate’s own.

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