Mechanical Operations Engineer

 

Ready to make an impact?  Peraton is seeking a Mechanical (HVAC) Operations Engineer to support our Deep Space Network (DSN) Operations and Maintenance O&M contract with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and NASA in Monrovia, CA.

 

The Deep Space Network is NASA’s international array of giant radio antennas that supports interplanetary spacecraft missions, plus a few that orbit Earth. The DSN also provides radar and radio astronomy observations that improve our understanding of the solar system and the larger universe. The antennas of the Deep Space Network are the indispensable link to explorers venturing beyond the moon. They provide the crucial connection for commanding our spacecraft and receiving their never-before-seen images and scientific information on Earth, propelling our understanding of the universe, our solar system and ultimately, our place within it.

 

The DSN Facilities HVAC Operations Engineer (OE) is responsible for sustaining and supporting the development of the HVAC assemblies in the Facilities and Antenna Subsystems serving NASA’s Deep Space Communications Complexes (DSCCs) in Australia, Spain and California.  The HVAC assemblies encompass HVAC for Data or Signal Processing Centers (SPCs), Multi-frequency Antennas and cooling systems for high power electronic critical equipment, as well as HVAC systems for administrative and support-type buildings, including the Peraton Monrovia facility.

 

The candidate will assist in the planning, designing, analyzing, cost estimating, maintaining and overall technical direction of the subsystem in support of the DSN, Development, Operations and Service Office (DDOSO), Office 925 at NASA’s JPL. 

 

Responsibilities:

• Assist the Cognizant Development Engineer in project implementation of repairing or replacing existing systems. The candidate may be expected to take the technical lead in the implementation of projects involving the centralization and automation of chilled water systems into single centralized systems.
• Fundamental understanding in process cooling such as chilled water plant and distribution systems is highly preferred.
• Provide technical assistance and guidance to operations and maintenance personnel for issues on HVAC systems. Support faculty, consultants and field technicians in different time zones as required and creating an analysis and resolution on system problems.
• HVAC OE shall serve as a test engineer during commissioning of new HVAC projects; this includes occasional travel as necessary.
• Maintain and review files/operational data/records related to configuration assets.
• Verify and ensure that new HVAC building systems are compatible with existing building infrastructure. Identify equipment spares and product obsolescence.
• Assist in planning, design, analysis, cost estimating, sparing, and overall technical directions of the subsystem.
• Support the DSN Engineering Change Management (ECM) Board in the in the development, evaluation and costing of Engineering Change Requests (ECRs), the preparation and delivery of Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) or Modification Kits (Modkits), and the troubleshooting, resolution and closure of Discrepancy Reports (DRs).
• The candidate will be expected to quickly familiarize themselves with the forms and functions of the DSN HVAC assemblies in both the Facilities and Antenna Subsystems, working closely in coordination with supporting electrical and mechanical engineers, as well as with operations personnel at the DSCCs. Overseas travel may be required.
• Possess a working knowledge of NFPA, ASHRAE, and other relevant codes and familiarity meeting code compliance with mechanical systems.
• Possess experience in the implementation and testing of air distribution systems, chilled water generation and chilled water distribution systems including freeze protection, HVAC power distribution equipment and system automation, selecting replacement equipment for HVAC systems: (AHU’s, chillers, pump selection, boilers, etc…)
• Review, archive, plot, recommend, and report concerns related to water quality treatments that are performed monthly on several HVAC chilled water closed loop, open loop, fluid cooler/cooling tower, transmitter cooling, and waveguide cooling water closed loops.
• Must possess and demonstrate excellent oral and written communications skills, and a working knowledge of MS Office Suite.

 

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an ABET accredited institution in Mechanical Engineering (BSME)
• Minimum of 2 years related experience, or more than ten years of directly-related work experience equivalency in lieu of a degree.
• Experience with evaluating HVAC components (compressors, fans, chillers, dampers, actuators, etc.)
• Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point and working knowledge of latest Windows operating system.
• Proven capability of working with minimal supervision
• Able to multi-task, adapt to change quickly, and are an analytical thinker with strong attention to detail
• Able to obtain a trusted background check and pass a National Criminal Information Check (NCIC).  In order to obtain a clearance, you need to be a US Citizen and show proof of citizenship.

Preferred Qualifications

• Possess an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) Certification or Professional Engineering (PE) License
• Possess a Master’s Degree from an ABET accredited institution.
• Ability to communicate in Spanish is a plus.
• Experience with automatic HVAC control systems, PLC logic and PID control diagrams but not limited to:
• PLC Ladder, Boolean, PID programming, DDC, and DCS systems.
• Familiarity with Automated Logic Control WebCTRL programming and Johnson Controls MetaSys Control Systems.

 

Peraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world’s leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees do the can’t be done by solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Visit peraton.com to learn how we’re keeping people around the world safe and secure.

$66,000 - $106,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.