Station operator

Title :

Ground Station Operator

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KBR () is seeking to fill a full-time Ground Station Operator position to support the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) at the Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center (), located near Sioux Falls, SD.

The Landsat Data Capture & Processing Facility (DCPF) Ground Station Operator (GSO) supports the Landsat Operations Task Manager, and the Ground Station Technical Team Lead (GSTTL).

The GSO operates various ground station equipment, computer peripherals and support equipment within Landsat Ground Station (LGS) operations area in Computer Room 2 (CR2).

The GSOs primary focus is monitoring, operating and supporting the LGS and its associated antennas and equipment during real-time satellite up-links (S-Band Telemetry (TLM), Tracking, and Commanding (CMD)) and downlinks (S-Band & X-Band) with Landsat-7, Landsat-8, and Landsat-9 to ensure successful receipt of data (S-Band & X-Band), to ensure S-Band TLM is flowing back to each of the Mission Operations Centers (MOCs), to monitor and ensure a S-Band uplink is established between the LGS and the Landsat satellite(s) for S-Band Commanding (performed by MOCs), and to ensure good two-way Doppler tracking (for Landsat-7) while communicating with the MOCs during live events.

Following the live events, it’s the GSOs responsibility to ensure all Landsat (X-Band) data is ingested, assembled, processed and archived successfully to the Landsat USGS archive.

In addition, the GSO works to ensure all Landsat (X-Band) data dumped at the various Landsat Ground Network (LGN) stations (located in Alaska, Norway, Australia, and Germany) is received, ingested, assembled, processed and archived as well.

Core Responsibilities

Ensure the Landsat Ground Station (LGS) data capture systems are ready to acquire satellite data (S-Band and X-Band) before every acquisition to ensure no loss of data.

The LGS data capture systems include :

• 10-Meter antenna
• 5.4-Meter antenna
• Contact Schedule Ingest System (CSIS)
• Ground Station Automation subsystem (EPOCH-2000)
• Command & Telemetry Processors (CTPs) for S-Band
• Programmable Demodulators (PDs) for X-Band
• Capture Transfer System (CTS)
• Operate, monitor, and resolve any issues associated with the Ground Station Automation System (EPOCH-2000); In the event automation fails be able to resolve issue accordingly and or run activities manually if needed.
• Operate, monitor, and report any issues associated with the Ground Station Radio Frequency (RF) equipment associated with X-Band reception and S-Band uplink / downlink.
• Monitor DCRS to ensure the transfer of Mission Data, Satellite State Of Health (SSOH), and Ground Pass Reports (GPRs) for the local LGS ground station and the Landsat-8 and Landsat-9 Ground Network stations located in Alaska, Norway, Germany, and Australia are received, mission data is assembled, and made available to INGEST (ING).
• Monitor and ensure all L8 / L9 SSOH files and GPR reports for LGS and the LGN stations are successfully delivered to the LMOC
• Ensure Landsat-7 raw data received during direct downlinks to the LGS are archived (through the Data Collection System (DCS)) and processed and archived on the Landsat-7 Processing System (LPS).
• Monitor and operator the automatic electronic transfer (AutoET) to ensure L7 data from the L7 Ground Network is received, processed, and archived
• Ingest Landsat data from various media sources in support of the Landsat Global Archive Consolidation (LGAC) efforts (Digital Linear Tape (DLT), High Density Tape (HDT), Linear Tape Output (LTO), Digital Cassette Tape (DCT), electronically, and external USB and Network Attached Storage (NAS) drives.
• Operate and become knowledgeable of the various system consoles (Windows, Linux, Physical and Virtual) and peripheral components associated with the DCPF Operations.
• Obtain a thorough understanding of error conditions and system recovery techniques.
• Communicate and coordinate activities and technical status with the Landsat Operations Task Manager, GSTTL, and other Landsat Project team members, as appropriate.
• Complete and pass exam to achieve an overall Shift Lead Certification.
• Develop and maintain Standard and Contingency Operating Procedures (SOP / COPs) as changes occur within the DCPF Operations.
• Review and update SOPs / COPs to ensure accuracy and still pertain to current environment.
• Ensure daily checklists are followed and updated as required.
• Ensure pass checklists are followed prior to every satellite support and updated as required.
• Perform routine system re-boots, power down and power up procedures.
• Assist in maintaining consumables needed for normal operations.
• Ensure proper process is followed and documentation is properly maintained.
• Assist GSTTL with the development of new procedures as new satellite missions, new equipment (hardware) and or software changes are implemented.
• Understand the different satellite communications characteristics for numerous earth imaging type sensors / spacecraft.
• Initiate and track Change Requests (CRs), Ground Station Discrepancy reports, and Image Anomaly Report as situations warrant.
• Interface with support staff (SatComm RF Engineers, Sys Admins, Database Admins, Network Admins, Software Engineers, and Systems Engineer as required.
• Work shifts / rotations including weekends and holidays to ensure coverage for 19.5 hours of each day all 365 days of the year

Other Responsibilities

• Support system anomaly investigations and troubleshooting activities affecting the LGS.
• Participate in peer reviews.
• Train new coworkers.

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Associate or bachelor’s degree with emphasis towards computer science, information systems, or satellite communications is desired.

Experience

• Minimum of 2-4 years related experience in satellite communications, computer operations, or equivalent, or one-year experience with an applicable degree.
• Experience and understanding of the Earth Resources Observation & Science (EROS) systems and data processing are desired.
• Experience working shifts and rotations (including weekends and holidays) to ensure coverage of for 19.5 hours of each day all 365 days of the year

Required Skills

• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Demonstrate an aptitude toward the understanding of computer hardware and operating concepts.
• Basic knowledge of Unix, Linux, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Basic knowledge of Oracle SQL commands.
• Possess a general working knowledge of utility programs and Graphical User Interfaces (GUls).
• Ability to adapt to changes in a multi-mission ground station atmosphere

Desired Skills

• Experience with ground station automation
• Experience with software coding and scripting
• Experience with satellite uplinks and downlinks
• Ability to backfill the Ground Station Technical Team Lead (GSTTL) in their absence.
• Basic knowledge of configuration management common practices.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Three years of continuous residency in the US for issuance of a Government Security credential
• The candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a national agency check and background investigation after hire to obtain a badge for government facility access and user account.
• Work Location Onsite to the DOI EROS Data Center in Sioux Falls, SD. Full-time remote is not available for this position.

KBR Benefits

KBR offers a selection of competitive lifestyle benefits which could include 401K plan with company match, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, flexible spending account, disability, paid time off, or flexible work schedule.

We support career advancement through professional training and development.

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Inclusion and Diversity at KBR

At KBR, we are passionate about our people, sustainability, and our Zero Harm culture. These inform all that we do and are at the heart of our commitment to, and ongoing journey toward being a more inclusive and diverse company.

That commitment is central to our team of team’s philosophy and fosters an environment of real collaboration across cultures and locations.

Our individual differences and perspectives bring enhanced value to our teams and help us develop solutions for the most challenging problems.

We understand that by embracing those differences and working together, we are more innovative, more resilient, and safer. We Deliver Together.

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KBR is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and / or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

Last updated : 2024-05-18