Position OverviewARES is seeking a Mission Engineer to provide technical leadership and engineering guidance of complex range systems supporting NASA and customer missions worldwide. This position plays a critical role in mission planning, telemetry system configuration, RF performance analysis, mission readiness reviews, deployed site operations, and post-mission analysis. The successful candidate will support sounding rockets, expendable launch vehicles, UAS missions, scientific payloads, and Artemis-related human spaceflight network activities while ensuring mission success through the effective integration of telemetry, RF, instrumentation, and communications systems.
Key Responsibilities- Perform mission engineering activities supporting telemetry, RF, instrumentation, and range systems for complex and high-visibility missions.
- Conduct detailed RF link analyses for mission downlinks and uplinks and evaluate predicted versus actual system performance.
- Design, implement, and verify mission-specific configurations, schematics, and test plans for telemetry ground stations and range instrumentation assets.
- Support mission planning and readiness activities including NASA mission reviews, readiness reviews, and launch support activities.
- Develop technical briefings and readiness assessments related to range instrumentation configurations, implementation plans, and mission risks.
- Serve as Site Lead for mobile telemetry and range instrumentation deployments, providing technical leadership for field teams and remote operations.
- Coordinate mission execution activities, resource planning, safety compliance, and real-time operational reporting during deployed missions.
- Generate and present post-mission engineering products including link analyses, tracking performance assessments, anomaly investigations, and mission performance reports.
- Support discrepancy tracking, risk identification, lessons learned activities, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Required Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Aerospace Science, ora relatedtechnical discipline.
- Minimum of five (5) years of progressive experience supporting aerospace range operations, mission engineering, telemetry systems, flight test operations, launch operations, or similar technical environments.
- Demonstrated experience with telemetry ground systems, including antennas, RF receiving systems, telemetry processors, data acquisition systems, and associated instrumentation.
- Experience performing RF link analyses and developing mission-specific technical configurations and test plans.
- Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and systems engineering skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to interact effectively with customers, scientists, engineers, and mission operators.
- Ability to travel extensively and support extended deployments to remote domestic and international locations.
- U.S. Citizenshiprequired.
Desired Qualifications- Previousexperience as a Site Lead, Mission Lead, or technical lead supporting deployed operations.
- Experience supporting sounding rockets, launch ranges, telemetry systems, or NASA mission operations.
- Experience supporting NASA Wallops Flight Facility or other government test and launch ranges.
- Experience generating post-mission analysis products, mission performance reports, and engineering assessments.
- Familiarity with NASA mission review processes including IPIRs, RRRs, LRRs, and post-flight reviews.
- Active Secret Security Clearance.
ARES Benefits:ARES offers a competitive compensation and benefit package. Full-time employees may participate in:
- Medical Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- HSA/FSA Accounts
- Life & Disability Insurance
- Critical Illness & Accident Insurance
- 401(k) Plan
- ESOP
- Paid Time Off & Holidays
