Job Description

Do you love to explore our solar system?

Are you passionate about discovering the unknown?

If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL!

We are seeking a lead mission operations analyst to help us unlock the secrets of Jupiter's moon Europa. As a member of our team, you'll be coordinating the pre-launch operations development of the Telecom, Propulsion, Timekeeping, and Radmon (radiation monitoring) subsystems. You will be joining a hardworking team of engineers at APL who are collaborating with JPL to launch NASA's Europa Clipper Mission. Our team is committed to success and efficiency as well as an environment of trust and high standards. 

As a Lead Mission Operations Analyst/Spacecraft operations systems Engineer:

• You will be providing technical leadership to the APL portion of the Europa Clipper Spacecraft Operations team during Phase D (prelaunch) and E (post launch) of Clipper operations.
• Specific Duties:
• Lead Telecom, Propulsion, Timekeeping and Radmon subsystems (i.e., Clipper APL subsystems) in prelaunch development effort including operations readiness tests, V&V of requirements, and development of operations products and procedures.
• Work closely with the APL Europa Clipper Mission Systems Management (also known as Mission Support Area East leads) to report on status and help resolve issues.
• Primary direct interface with JPL Europa Clipper Spacecraft Operations leadership team
• Coordinate training and certification for APL subsystems pre-launch
• Support operations shifts as a Spacecraft Team Systems Engineer, including leading the uplink planning and downlink assessment coordination for all spacecraft subsystems
• Support operations for Propulsion, Telecom, Timekeeping and RadMon subsystems for Europa Clipper
• Special working conditions: Travel to NASA JPL on west coast to support face-to-face technical exchange meetings and reviews. Cadence fluctuates based on real-time activity timeline.

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...

• B.S. in Engineering, Physics or related fields
• 5+ years of experience supporting and leading space mission operations engineering support
• Experience supporting and/or leading prelaunch development activities and early mission operations
• 2 years in mission operations leadership capacity
• Ability to work in a highly collaborative and dynamic team environment across institutions
• Proven experience in preparing and presenting technical reports, working with Anomaly Report or P/FR - ISA reports and databases.
• Are willing and able to support shift work.
• Are able to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain a Secret level clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...

• 2 or more years served as a Lead Mission Analyst or Lead Flight Operations Engineer on a planetary mission
• Experience in NASA deep space mission operations, ideally including Telecom and Propulsion, (e.g. Round Trip Light Times and deep space environment factors, typical data products pertaining to these systems including trending systems and analyses, telemetry and command databases and display pages, SPICE kernel products, interaction with G&C and Navigation teams for maneuver planning and reconstruction)
• Ground Data System (GDS) and Deep Space Network (DSN) interfaces, including DSN SPS system for product deliveries
• Active secret clearance

Be Part of Something Innovative

Over the past 25 years, the Space Exploration Sector at APL, has pushed the boundaries of what is possible; delivering game-changing impacts to sponsors like NASA and the Department of Defense. This includes historic, science space firsts like New Horizons reaching Pluto, Parker Solar Probe being the first to “touch” the sun, and the DART mission that redirected an asteroid for planetary defense. As a not-for-profit university affiliated research center, APL also delivered solutions to our nation’s national security challenges, as proven with the recent Deep Space Advanced Radar Concept (DARC) Tech Demo, and acts as a trusted partner with the US Space Force in space domain awareness and space-integrated warfare.

APL teams are currently developing missions that will advance the search for life in the Solar System through programs such as Europa Clipper and Dragonfly, exploring the lunar and cislunar domains, and providing fundamental knowledge of our Sun’s influence on the near-Earth environment through IMAP and other research and technology endeavors.  To learn about these APL’s mission and projects, https://civspace.jhuapl.edu/ and https://www.jhuapl.edu/OurWork/NationalSecuritySpace.

Why work at APL?

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation’s most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

At APL, we celebrate our differences and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL’s campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at http://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

APL is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

APL is committed to promoting an innovative environment that embraces diversity, encourages creativity, and supports inclusion of new ideas. In doing so, we are committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact Accommodations@jhuapl.edu. Only by ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard are we empowered to be bold, do great things, and make the world a better place.

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