ResponsibilitiesThe Office of Space Weather Observations (SWO) under NESDIS is responsible for advancing space weather observational capabilities to meet NOAA programmatic needs. NOAA’s Space Weather Next (SWX) program maintains and extends space weather observations from various vantage points, selected to most efficiently provide comprehensive knowledge of the Sun and the near-Earth space environment needed to protect our technological infrastructure.
The Space Weather Ground Services (SWGS) is responsible for comprehensive ground services for all SWX projects, ensuring successful implementation and operation of observing assets and ensuring the continuity of space weather measurements made by SWFO-L1 and the GOES-R series satellites.
The SWGS Mission Operations Services (MOS) program must provide a full mission satellite command and control solution to support the L1 Series with two new independently launched observatories.
Overview:
Peraton is seeking a highly capable Project Engineer to bridge project management and systems engineering disciplines for a complex satellite ground system program. This role is responsible for maintaining a comprehensive, “big picture” view of program execution—ensuring alignment across technical teams, schedules, and mission objectives.
The ideal candidate brings deep domain expertise in satellite ground systems (including custom command and control tools), strong program-level scheduling insight, and the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels. This individual will translate mission intent into executable plans while ensuring all teams understand how their work contributes to overall program success.
The successful candidate should be a big-picture thinker who can connect detailed execution to mission outcomes. They should be a strong communicator and confident presenter, comfortable influencing senior stakeholders. Highly organized with the ability to manage competing priorities and complex dependencies. And a proactive problem-solver who anticipates risks and drives resolution.
Program Integration & Big Picture Leadership
- Maintain a holistic understanding of program objectives, mission drivers, and system architecture.
- Ensure all functional teams understand the “why” behind the program and how their work aligns to mission success.
- Serve as a central integration point across Cyber, Software, Networks, Systems Engineering, Architecture, Operations, Quality, and Program Leadership.
Program-Level Scheduling & Visibility
- Develop and maintain high-level, month-based “big picture” schedule views to identify dependencies, risks, and bottlenecks.
- Partner with the Program Scheduler to ensure the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) accurately reflects dependencies, priorities, and execution reality.
- Perform schedule reconciliation across internal teams and customer stakeholders to maintain alignment.
- Analyze critical paths, schedule risks, and variances; recommend mitigation strategies.
Cross-Team Coordination & Resource Management
- Identify and resolve resource conflicts (e.g., hardware availability, software releases, integration windows).
- Facilitate coordination across internal and external stakeholders to ensure seamless execution.
- Integrate Agile team outputs (sprints, backlogs) into program-level milestones and schedules.
Communication, Influence & Reporting
- Prepare and deliver integrated schedule and program status briefings to internal leadership and external customers.
- Clearly communicate risks, dependencies, and impacts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Influence stakeholders to drive alignment, prioritization, and timely decision-making.
Systems Engineering Support
- Support system-level planning, requirements alignment, and design integration activities.
- Contribute to technical reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, etc.) and ensure schedule alignment with technical maturity.
- Evaluate impacts of changes to requirements, design, and implementation on overall program execution.
**This position is contingent on contract award.**
#SWOMOS
Qualifications
- 8 years of experience with BS/BA, 6 years of experience with MS/MA or 3 years of experience with PhD. 12 years of experience with no degree
- Ability to obtain and hold a Public Trust clearance
- US Citizenship is required
- Demonstrated experience in both program/project management and systems engineering roles.
- Strong experience with program-level scheduling and dependency management (e.g., MS Project, IMS environments).
- Proven ability to analyze schedules, identify critical paths, and manage risks.
- Experience working in Agile environments and integrating Agile execution into program-level plans.
- Proficiency with tools such as Jira and Microsoft Office (especially Excel).
- Hands-on experience with satellite ground systems, including understanding of OS/COMET and ground system architecture (hardware, software, networking/cloud)
- Strong understanding of integration challenges across distributed ground system components.
- Experience coordinating across hardware, software, and operations teams in mission-critical environments.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance (U.S. Citizenship required).
Desired Qualifications:
- Experience working within a distributed virtual team environment, with proficiency in remote collaboration tools and practices.
- Highly organized with strong attention to detail
- Outstanding verbal and written communication skills
- Experience supporting NOAA or similar mission-driven programs.
- Familiarity with EVMS and integration with Control Account Managers (CAMs).
- Experience with Atlassian tools (Jira, Confluence, Bitbucket, etc.).
- Experience with working on Satellite Ground projects to completion with successful outcomes and delivery of desired results.
- Active Public Trust clearance
Target Salary Range$135,000 - $216,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual’s experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.
