What are the responsibilities and job description for the Meteorological Operations Junior Technician position at ARES Corporation?
About ARES Corporation
ARES Corporation is an employee-owned aerospace and engineering services company supporting critical national programs across NASA, the Department of Defense, and other Federal agencies. For more than 30 years, ARES has provided engineering, mission operations, safety and mission assurance, information technology, and range support services for some of the nation's most complex aerospace missions. ARES is the prime contractor for the Wallops Range Contract supporting NASA Wallops Flight Facility. The contract provides mission-critical support for launch range operations, telemetry, radar, communications, meteorological services, engineering, maintenance, and sustainment activities supporting orbital and suborbital missions.
Position Overview:
ARES is seeking a Meteorological Operations Junior Technician to support the operation, maintenance, and deployment of meteorological instrumentation systems used in support of NASA launch operations, flight safety, weather monitoring, and mission planning activities. The successful candidate will support a variety of weather observation and atmospheric measurement systems while assisting senior technicians in ensuring reliable meteorological data collection and system performance in support of range operations and mission execution.
Key Responsibilities:
- Operate and maintain meteorological instrumentation systems supporting range and launch operations.
- Support operation and maintenance of GPS sounding systems, aerostat sounding systems, wind tower systems, meteorological surface measurement systems, and laser ceilometers.
- Perform troubleshooting, fault isolation, and corrective maintenance activities on meteorological equipment and associated support systems.
- Assist with installation, calibration, testing, and deployment of weather instrumentation.
- Interpret schematics, wiring diagrams, and technical documentation.
- Utilize electronic test equipment including oscilloscopes, digital voltmeters, power meters, and signal generators.
- Maintain operational logs, maintenance records, and preventative maintenance schedules.
- Support meteorological data collection activities and system readiness efforts.
- Ensure compliance with NASA, customer, and company operational, safety, and quality procedures.
- Support field operations involving tower inspections, tower climbing, and equipment maintenance activities.
- Travel to remote locations in support of meteorological and range operations as required.
Required Qualifications:
- High Schooldiploma
- Ability to troubleshoot electronic and instrumentation systems.
- Ability to interpret schematics, wiring diagrams, and technical drawings.
- Familiarity with electronic test equipment and instrumentation.
- Strong communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to travel approximately 25% of the year in support of mission requirements.
- Ability to obtain National Weather Service certification within six months of hire.
Desired Qualifications:
- Two years of technical education in electronics, instrumentation, meteorology, or a related technical discipline.
- Experience with meteorological instrumentation or meteorological ground station equipment may be substituted for technical education.
- Experience with GPS ground station systems.
- Experience with meteorological instrumentation and atmospheric measurement systems.
- Experience supporting launch range, aerospace, communications, or technical field operations.
- Tower climbing and tower maintenance experience.
- Familiarity with preventive maintenance programs and technical documentation practices.
- Experience working in a mission-critical operational environment.
Work Environment
This position is located at NASA Wallops Flight Facility in Wallops Island, Virginia. Work is primarily performed in operational and field environments supporting meteorological systems and range infrastructure. Shift work may be required based on mission schedules and operational requirements. Assignments may change or vary based on mission needs. Safety and quality awareness and compliance are required.
Security Requirements:
- Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain required Government credentials and access approvals.
Key Candidate Attributes
- Electronics and instrumentation fundamentals
- Understanding of meteorological observation systems and weather instrumentation
- Ability to troubleshoot and maintain technical systems
- Mechanical aptitude and field maintenance experience
- Ability to interpret schematics and technical documentation
- Familiarity with electronic test equipment
- Strong safety and procedural compliance mindset
- Willingness to work outdoors and in operational environments
- Ability to climb towers and perform physically demanding work
- Strong teamwork, communication, and learning aptitude
- Willingness to travel and support remote mission operations
- Mission-focused attitude and commitment to operational excellence
ARES Benefits:
ARES offers a competitive compensation and benefit package. Full time employees may participate in:
- Medical Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- HSA/FSA Accounts
- Life & Disability Insurance
- Critical Illness & Accident Insurance
- ESOP
- 401(k) Plan
- Paid Time Off & Holidays
ARES is an equal opportunity employer and complies with E-Verify. We believe in hiring a diverse workforce and fostering an inclusive culture. We are committed to non-discrimination on any protected basis, such as disability and veteran status, or any other basis covered under applicable law. ARES shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a).