Telescope and Sensor Operator – Multiple positions Junior, Mid & Senior

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Telescope and Sensor Operator – Multiple positions Junior, Mid & Senior  

KBR’s National Security Solutions team provides high-end engineering and advanced technology solutions to our customers in the intelligence and national security communities. In this position, your work will have a profound impact on the country’s most critical role – protecting our national security.

Why Join Us?

• Innovative Projects: Be part of a dynamic team that thrives on collaboration and innovation, fostering a supportive and intellectually stimulating workplace.
• Collaborative Environment: Be part of a dynamic team that thrives on collaboration and innovation, fostering a supportive and intellectually stimulating workplace.
• Impactful Work: Your contributions will be pivotal in successfully getting mission capability on orbit and shaping the future of space reconnaissance.

Position Description/Job Responsibilities:

Telescope and Sensor Operator – Multiple positions Junior, Mid & Senior  

Key Responsibilities:  

KBR was selected to support the US Space Force/Air Force Research Laboratory’s ASTRO (Advanced Space Technology Research and Optimization) contract to provide mission equipment operations, maintenance, and upgrades to the USSF’s AMOS site in Maui, Hawaii. The AMOS site plays a vital role in national security by monitoring man-made objects in space and continuously developing next-generation capabilities to keep pace with the expanding space domain. This presents an incredible opportunity to push the boundaries of space and telescope technologies. 

AMOS’s telescope operators and maintainers are the key to AMOS’s mission supporting routine and specialized tests, site upgrades and specialized mission operations for the United States Space Force at their AMOS Site.  

• Duties include providing 24x7x365 operation and straightforward maintenance of the mission equipment, including telescopes, sensors, mounts, IT equipment, electrical and mechanical equipment, etc.  

• Monitor quality of collections and identify issues with data quality. Assist with resolution of issues and recommend improvements in equipment, user interfaces, and operating procedures to improve quality and timeliness of data delivery,  

• Set up mission equipment based on collection/test needs, operate equipment during tests, and ensure safe storage to prevent damage. 

• Perform routine calibration and end-to-end system testing of mission equipment.  

• Operate and monitor all mission equipment at the AMOS site. 

• Use of various test equipment for testing and isolating faulty equipment. Provide updates and proper reporting of any faulty equipment for upper-level maintenance action. 

[Jr] Operates and monitors telescope systems at the AMOS site under supervision. Supports Engineers in the design, development, modification, and improvement of products/processes. Activities include but are not limited to: identifying and recommending improvements/preventive actions, inspecting, testing, maintaining, researching, repairing, and installing equipment and systems. Tests new and modified products, processes, and/or systems. Requires basic knowledge of job procedures and tools obtained through work experience and may require vocational/technical education or on-the-job training. Performs assignments that are standardized or prescribed, selects or adapts standard procedures or equipment, using fully applicable precedents, receives initial instructions, equipment requirements, and advice from supervisor or engineer as needed, performs recurring work under supervision. Work is reviewed for technical adequacy or conformity with instructions. 

[Mid] Independently operates and monitors complex mission equipment at the AMOS site. Supports Engineers in the design, development, modification, and improvement of products/processes. Activities include but are not limited to: identifying and recommending improvements/preventive actions, inspecting, testing, maintaining, researching, repairing, and installing equipment and systems. Tests new and modified products, processes, and/or systems. Requires broad knowledge of operational procedures and tools obtained through work experience and may require vocational/technical education or on-the-job training. Works under limited supervision for routine situations. Provides assistance and training to lower-level employees. Problems may be non-routine but not complex.  

[Sr] Independently operates and monitors the most complex mission equipment at the AMOS site. Supports Engineers in the design, development, modification, and improvement of products/processes. Activities include but are not limited to: identifying and recommending improvements/preventive actions, inspecting, testing, maintaining, researching, repairing, and installing equipment and systems. Tests new and modified products, processes, and/or systems. Requires advanced knowledge of operational procedures and tools obtained through work experience and may require vocational/technical education or on-the-job training. Performs non-routine and complex assignments involving planning and conducting tests and operations. Works with operations and maintenance teams to select and adapt plans, techniques, designs, or layouts, contacts personnel in related activities to resolve problems and coordinate the work, reviews, analyzes, and integrates the technical work of others. Supervisor, engineer or Government outlines objectives, requirements, and design approaches. Completed work is reviewed for technical adequacy and satisfaction of requirements. Mentors, trains and oversees quality of operations by lower-level operators. 

Knowledge of and ability to independently perform routine operation of mission equipment. Maintains effective working relationships with Government Customer, other site contractors and other team members. 

Responsibilities: 

• [Sr] Provides inputs to site staffing schedules, reviews site schedules and performs routine telescope and mission equipment operations including collections, tests and calibrations. Independently operates mission equipment for special and/or off-nominal operations as required. Mentors and oversees operations of less experienced staff. 

• [Mid] Performs routine telescope and mission equipment operations including collections, tests and calibrations. Supports special and/or off-nominal operations as required. May mentor and oversee operations of less experienced staff. 

• [Jr] Performs routine telescope and mission equipment operations including collections, tests and calibrations under general supervision or occasional direct supervision. 

• [IT class] Troubleshoots and resolves minor computer or equipment issues.  

• [Mx class] Performs troubleshooting on mission equipment and resolves minor equipment issues. 

Qualifications: 

• [Sr] Associate Degree and a minimum of 8 years of related experience (e.g., independently operating complex mechanical, optical or electrical systems); or requires an equivalent combination of related training and experience. 

• [Mid] Associate Degree and a minimum of 5 years of related experience (e.g., operating custom-built/specialized mechanical, optical or electrical equipment); or requires an equivalent combination of related training and experience. 

• [Jr] Associate Degree and a minimum of 2 years of related experience (e.g., operating a variety of mechanical, optical or electrical equipment); or an equivalent combination of related training and experience. 

Desired Qualifications: 

• [Sr] Eight (8) years experience independently operating complex telescopes, optical systems or sensors. 

• [Mid] Four (4) years experience operating telescopes or optical sensors with minimal supervision.  

• [Jr] One (1) year experience operating telescopes or optical sensors under supervision. 

• [IT class] COMPTIA+, eligibility for TS/SCI required. 

• [Mx class] Experience with or desire to learn basic equipment troubleshooting skills. 

• Clearance: Active Secret desired, eligibility for [Secret/TS/SCI] required 

WORK ENVIRONMENT: 

Full time in office. (no remote/Hybrid) Primary work location is remote site on Haleakala, with occasional work in Kihei, HI. Candidate must have effective verbal and written communication skills; must be able to adapt communication style to suit different audiences or facilitate group discussions; develop accurate written materials to communicate information clearly and concisely. 

Basic Compensation: 

Salary Range: $57,500 - $136,700 

The offered rate will be based on the selected candidate’s knowledge, skills, abilities and/or experience and in consideration of internal parity. 

Additional Compensation: 

KBR may offer bonuses, commissions, or other forms of compensation to certain job titles or levels, per internal policy or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be in the form of sign on bonus, relocation benefits, short term incentives, long term incentives, or discretionary payments for exceptional performance.  

 Ready to Make a Difference?

If you’re excited about making a significant impact in the field of space defense and working on projects that matter, we encourage you to apply and join our team at KBR. Let's shape the future together.