Noblis

Senior Watch Operator

Noblis$120K — $188K *
Aerospace & Defense
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Active Top Secret/SCI clearance with Counterintelligence (CI) Polygraph required.
  • Bachelor's degree with 12 years, Master's degree with 11 years, or 14 years of relevant experience without a degree.
  • Degree in a relevant technical or operational field preferred.
  • Extensive experience with NRO MGS/IC operations and system integration.
  • Advanced knowledge of orbital mechanics required.
  • Proven ability to maintain a Common Operating Picture for decision-making.
  • Strong communication skills for briefing senior officials.

Responsibilities

  • Serve as a Senior Watch Operator supporting 24/7 mission operations.
  • Maintain an accurate and timely Common Operating Picture across various operational segments.
  • Monitor NRO enterprise operations, focusing on system integration and data flow.
  • Act as a backup Mission Director when needed, fully trained for all relevant responsibilities.
  • Brief senior officials on operational status and mission impacts.
  • Respond to leadership guidance in a dynamic operational environment.
  • Coordinate with teams for effective mission execution, ensuring all aspects are integrated.

Benefits

  • Exposure to high-level government operations and decision-making processes.
  • Opportunity to work with advanced space operations technology and systems.
  • Potential for professional growth through mentorship and leadership roles.
  • Involvement in critical national security initiatives.
  • Flexible working conditions within a 24/7 operational environment.
Full Job Description
Responsibilities

Noblis ESI is seeking a Senior Watch Operator to provide space operations watch standing support to mission functions in an integrated space operations center environment located in Fort Belvoir, Virginia.

The selected candidate will serve as a senior watch operator supporting 24/7 mission operations across ground segment, space segment, and network/communications integration. Drawing on deep expertise in NRO enterprise operations, orbital mechanics, and satellite operations, this role will maintain an accurate and timely Common Operating Picture to support mission decision-making and will serve as a qualified backup Mission Director in the event the Mission Director is unavailable.

Responsibilities Include:
  • Serve as a Senior Watch Operator in an integrated space operations center supporting 24/7 mission operations.
  • Maintain an accurate and timely Common Operating Picture to support operational decision-making across ground segment, space segment, and network/communications layers.
  • Monitor and assess NRO enterprise operations including system integration, dependencies, and data flow.
  • Serve as a qualified backup Mission Director, trained and familiar with all NOC Mission Director responsibilities.
  • Brief senior government officials and military leaders on operational status, issues, and mission impacts.
  • Discern and respond to senior leader guidance and direction in a fast-paced operational environment.
  • Coordinate with mission ground stations, satellite operations, and network/communications teams to ensure integrated mission execution.
  • Identify, track, and communicate operational issues, anomalies, and risks to appropriate stakeholders.
  • Support the development and implementation of watch standing TTPs and standard operating procedures.
  • Coordinate with intelligence, planning, and engineering teams to support integrated mission execution.
  • Maintain awareness of current and emerging threats to space systems and operations.
  • Provide technical mentorship and guidance to junior watch operators.
  • Support continuity of operations planning and execution.
  • Document and report operational activities, issues, and resolutions in accordance with established procedures.

Required Qualifications

  • Active Top Secret/SCI clearance with Counterintelligence (CI) Polygraph.
  • US Citizenship is required.
  • Bachelor's degree and 12 years of relevant experience with demonstrated expertise OR Master's degree and 11 years of relevant experience with demonstrated expertise OR 14 years of relevant experience with demonstrated expertise if no bachelor's degree is held.
  • Degree within a relevant technical or operational field preferred.
  • Demonstrated senior-level experience with NRO MGS/IC operations including system integration, dependencies, and data flow.
  • Professional experience or education in advanced orbital mechanics.
  • Demonstrated ability to maintain a Common Operating Picture in a timely fashion to support operational decision-making.
  • Demonstrated ability to brief and advise senior government officials and military leaders.
  • Experience discerning and responding to senior leader guidance in a fast-paced operational environment.
  • Ability to serve as a qualified backup Mission Director with familiarity of all NOC Mission Director responsibilities.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to convey complex operational information clearly.
  • Ability to work independently in a 24/7 operational environment across rotating shifts, to include nights and weekends.

Desired Qualifications

  • Experience as a Mission Director or Deputy Mission Director in an NRO or IC operations center.
  • Familiarity with NRO and USSPACECOM operational processes and organizational structures.
  • Experience with space situational awareness systems and tools.
  • Basic to intermediate knowledge of advanced orbital mechanics and satellite collision avoidance.
  • Background in counterspace operations and associated threat analysis.
  • Experience with IC collection management processes and tools.
  • Familiarity with space enterprise coordination.
  • Experience supporting 24/7 operations centers in a leadership or senior watch standing capacity.
  • Background in ground segment, space segment, and network/communications integration.

Posted Salary Range

USD $120,700.00 - USD $188,725.00 /Yr.

About Noblis

Noblis is an American not-for-profit science, technology, and strategy organization that provides technical and advisory services to federal government clients. Noblis works in the areas of national security, intelligence, transportation, healthcare, environmental sustainability, and enterprise transformation. Noblis was created in 1996 when Mitretek Systems Inc. was split into two separate entities. The other entity became known as Noblis ESI. Noblis has been recognized as one of the best places to work in the Washington, D.C. area by the Washington Business Journal and the Washingtonian.
Learn more about Noblis
Size
1,500 employees
Industry
Founded
1996

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