Aerostat Operator III

About the Role:
Aerostat Operators provide Operations and Sustainment (O&S) support for the Persistent Surveillance Systems – Tethered (PSS-T) program in OCONUS site locations. The PSS-T program, which includes elements from the former Persistent Ground Surveillance System (PGSS) and Persistent Threat Detection System (PTDS) programs, delivers tactical and fixed site aerostats to enhance intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), force protection, and communications capabilities to joint, interagency, and multinational organizations.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Supervise the execution of the assigned work schedule and related crew duties.
• Ensure the site and system maintain adequate levels of spares, helium, POL (petroleum, oil and lubricants), vehicles, support and test equipment, tools, consumables, and all other site/system material requirements.
• Ensure assigned site/system maintenance activities are properly performed on a timely basis and address items identified for replacement or repair.
• Prepare and submit customer and TCOM written reports on site/system operations, including operational status, flying time, down time, maintenance activities, critical logistics and supply issues, helium usage/inventory, safety items, personnel issues, and other significant site/system issues.
• Ensure assigned crew support the timely identification and resolution of site/system technical problems, including troubleshooting, repairs, modifications, and system improvements, interfacing with TCOM personnel, customer personnel, and other individuals on and off the site.
• Perform Launch and Recovery Director (LRD) duties, including assessing weather and the mission-ready status of all crew personnel and system equipment; conducting pre-flight checks; directing the aerostat launch; continuously monitoring weather and system status during flight; directing aerostat recovery; and conducting post-flight checks.
• Direct the crew to perform any post-flight maintenance and/or repairs identified after recovery (e.g., tether replacement, helium replenishment).
• Ensure all site and system operations, maintenance, security, and safety policies and procedures are practiced in all phases of aerostat operations.
• Perform both corrective and preventive maintenance on aerostat avionics, fiber optic components, site electrical systems, and communication and weather sensor equipment.
• Demonstrate proficiency with a wide range of technician tasks, including using standard mechanical and electrical hand tools, electronic/electrical assembly/disassembly, wiring, soldering, and operating standard and unique test equipment.
• Read schematics, specifications, technical drawings, and engineering data.
• Maintain and understand site documentation such as parts and repair requisitions, time reporting, flight logs, and maintenance logs.
• Operate special purpose vehicles, including man lifts.
• Develop and train lower classified field technicians as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) in electrical, electronics, computer engineering, engineering technology, information technology, or mechanical engineering; or a BS in engineering technology or Bachelor of Engineering Technology (BET). Experience may be substituted for education.
• Three years previous Aerostat experience and four years technical experience in one of the specialized disciplines listed below.
• Prior experience as a shift lead.
• Must have an active Secret US Government Clearance (US Citizenship is required to obtain Secret Clearance).
• Must have a valid U.S. Driver’s License and passport that is valid for at least 6 months; preferably one year.
• Supervisory/Leadership experience.
• Knowledge of operational hardware systems and components.
• Experience in fault detection, isolation, and correction of hardware systems and individual components.
• Ability to perform routine system maintenance and analysis functions, including hardware configurations, adding, removing and replacing hardware components, using hardware and software diagnostic testing tools, reading electronic circuit schematics, and repairing printed circuit boards.

Specialized Disciplines:

1. Electrical Maintenance Mechanic

   • 3 years’ experience performing operations and maintenance on AEROSTAT systems.
   • 4 years’ aerostat experience as an operator at the 30 series level or greater from Army MOS 35F (Intelligence Analyst), 35G (Geospatial Intelligence Imagery Analyst), 35H (Common Ground System Analyst), 96R (Ground Surveillance Systems Operator), 96U (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Operator), or military branch equivalent.
   • 4 years technical experience at the 30 series or greater level is required. O&M of electro-mechanical equipment including hydraulic/servo valves, hydraulic actuators, control systems, and test/diagnostic equipment.

2. Networking, IT & Information Systems

   • 3 years AEROSTAT experience is required.
   • 4 years technical experience at the 30 series or greater level is required (IT CISCO Network or IT CCIE; BICSI or Network + or Comp T Certification is required; CCIE certification preferred).

3. Mechanical Maintenance

   • 3 years AEROSTAT experience is required.
   • 4 years Mechanical Maintenance technical experience at the 30 series or greater level is required (Army MOS 94D/X, 91/B/S/W or other military branch equivalent; or industry certifications such as ASE Certified Truck Mechanic or FAA General Mechanic 3 or greater).
   • O&M of mechanical equipment, including hydraulic systems, winch systems, tether/cable handling systems, industrial generator sets, power switch gear, HVAC, cranes, aerial lifts, forklifts, and industrial generator sets.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to regularly lift up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to climb extension ladders, roof ladders, stepladders, and stairs at least 10 times during a shift.
• Flexibility to bend/stoop and squat repeatedly during shifts.
• Ability to kneel repeatedly during shifts.
• Ability to move in a 90-degree fashion on a repetitive basis during shifts.
• Ability to stretch/reach on a repetitive basis during shifts.
• Ability to walk extensively throughout the plant during shifts.
• Capacity to interact with all clients in a professional and friendly manner, even during periods of stress.

Medical Requirements:

• Successfully complete and pass medical and dental examinations as required by the company and our customer for OCONUS deployments.
• Must maintain physical and dental requirements for the duration of the deployment.

Working and Living Conditions:
This position may be in a war zone with harsh and dangerous working and living conditions. Employees may regularly be exposed to extreme and austere environments, with temperatures reaching 120-130 degrees Fahrenheit (50-55 degrees Celsius) during summer months. Employees must be willing and able to perform regular job requirements in these austere, extreme environments and willing to deploy to CENTCOM, EUCOM, and AFRICOM for extended periods. Work schedules are a minimum of 6 days per week and 10 hours per day, with some jobs having higher daily and weekly minimums.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience on 34 and/or 22m Aerostat systems.
• Prior training/certification from Elizabeth City, NC.
• Prior experience working OCONUS on the PSS-T contract.
• Currently located OCONUS.