Aerostat Operator III

About the role

Aerostat Operators provide Operations and Sustainment (O&S) support for the Persistent Surveillance Systems - Tethered (PSS-T) program at OCONUS sites. PSS-T delivers tactical and fixed-site aerostats for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, force protection and communications to joint, interagency and multinational organizations. The role involves supervising crew duties, maintaining the site and system, and directing launches and recoveries.

Key responsibilities

• Supervise the work schedule and crew duties, and ensure adequate spares, helium, fuel, tools and consumables.
• Ensure maintenance is done on time and that items needing repair or replacement are addressed.
• Prepare and submit customer and TCOM reports on operations, maintenance, logistics, helium usage, safety and personnel issues.
• Help resolve technical problems, troubleshoot and support TCOM and customer personnel.
• Perform Launch and Recovery Director duties: assess weather and mission readiness, pre-flight checks, direct launch and recovery, and post-flight maintenance.
• Perform corrective and preventive maintenance on avionics, fiber optics, electrical systems, sensors and wiring, and read schematics and technical drawings.
• Maintain site documentation, operate special-purpose vehicles and train lower-classified technicians.

Required profile

• High school diploma or equivalent; a bachelor's degree in engineering or engineering technology, or equivalent experience.
• Three years of aerostat experience and four years of technical experience in one of three specialized disciplines (electrical, networking/IT or mechanical maintenance).
• Prior experience as a shift lead and supervisory/leadership experience.
• Active Secret US Government clearance (US citizenship required), valid US driver's license and a passport valid at least 6 months.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs, climb ladders and stairs repeatedly, and work in extreme heat and austere environments, including possible war-zone deployment.
• Work schedule of a minimum of 6 days per week and 10 hours per day.

Required skills

• Electrical: 3 years of aerostat O&M experience, 30-series level or higher, and knowledge of hydraulic/servo valves, actuators, control systems and test equipment.
• Networking/IT: 3 years of aerostat experience, 30-series level or higher, and Cisco, BICSI or CompTIA certification (CCIE preferred).
• Mechanical: 3 years of aerostat experience, 30-series level or higher, and experience with winches, tethers, generators, HVAC, cranes and aerial lifts.