Peraton provides management and technical support for NASA’s scientific balloon program which supports enabling science missions for NASA and universities across the United States and foreign scientific communities. Scientific balloon missions provide researchers inexpensive, relatively quick, long duration access to near space altitudes and environments. Balloon missions cost orders of magnitude less than satellite missions and provide platforms for heavy experiments (some greater than 5000-lbs) to operate for weeks and even months. Balloon missions have provided significant science theories and discoveries about cosmic rays, gamma ray and x-ray astronomy, optical and UV astronomy, atmospheric sciences, and cosmic microwave background studies.

Our staff are located at the Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility (CSBF) in Palestine, TX where we design, analyze, build and assembly the support hardware and balloon gondola payloads for the missions. We launch the balloons from locations within the United States (Texas, New Mexico, and Hawaii) and around the world including Antarctica, Sweden, New Zealand, and Australia. Our engineers and technician staff support the launches and balloon and payload recoveries in the US and many worldwide locations. Peraton’s NASA Balloon Operations Contract (NBOC) program is seeking an Electronics Technician to join our team in Palestine, Texas.

We are seeking a candidate to provide support for manufacture, test, integration, and field operations for NASA Balloon missions from inception through flight.

• Perform routine technical functions in support of balloon missions including fabrication, assembly, test, integration, operation of electronics and electro-mechanical systems. Utilize diagnostic test equipment to troubleshoot, repair, and operate electronic systems with analog, digital and video electronics.
• Work from schematics, procedures, change requests and verbal direction to perform prototype assembly, environmental testing and qualification tasks.
• Perform routine ground support equipment maintenance. Complete project documentation such as procedures, change requests, schematics, and wiring diagrams.
• Coordinate with science teams, researchers and engineers regarding system requirements and application of balloon flight equipment.
• Configure test apparatus and equipment to conduct functional, operational, environmental, and qualification tests to evaluate performance and reliability of both prototype and production hardware.
• Provide downrange telemetry support for remote and foreign campaigns.
• Assure operational sufficiency in quality of workmanship, equipment readiness, and operations of electronic systems and test equipment used in support of science.
• Provide status and participate in reviews.

Required Qualifications: 

• High School Diploma and military experience is preferred. Two years or more years of experience, trade school is a plus.  
• Knowledge of the tools, equipment, and materials used in electronic testing, fabrication, and maintenance is required. 
• Skill in soldering, crimping, component placement  
• Skill in record keeping for documentation purposes  
• Must be a US citizen

Must be able to pass drug screening, pass background check

Desired Qualifications:  

• Cable and Wire Harness Assembly per IPC WHMA-A-620. 
• Electrostatic Discharge ESD Control per GPR 8730.6. 
• Soldered Electrical and Electronics Assemblies per IPC J-STD-001 with Space Addendum. 
• Certified NASA Ordnance Handler. 
• Experience with RF telemetry

Specific Requirements / Licensing Special Requirements:

• Must be able to travel to support campaigns in various locations around the world
• Up to 60% travel per year
• Must have or be able to obtain a passport
• Will need the ability to pass the NSF Physical (Medical) requirement to work in Antarctica
• Must have current FLU shot and up to date COVID-19 vaccination