Operations Engineer – Mission Control

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The Canadian Space Agency is looking for the next Robotics Flight Controller!

Robotics Flight Controllers for the International Space Station work as part of a joint NASA/CSA team supporting and executing robotics operations of Canadarm2 and Dextre from Mission Control at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas and at the Canadian Space Agency in Longueuil, Quebec.

Robotics Flight Controllers for the Gateway Lunar Space Station will work as part of a joint CSA/Canadian contractor team supporting and executing robotics operations of Canadarm3 from the Canadian Space Agency in Longueuil, Quebec.

Robotics Flight Controllers also function as instructors, teaching other flight controllers, engineers and astronauts both on the ground and while on-board the International Space Station.

The incumbents will need to relocate to Houston, Texas to do their initial 4 months of training at the Johnson Space Center. After the 4-month posting, they will return to Longueuil, Quebec and continue to make progress towards their certification, support on-going operations as a mission designer, and assist in the training of other flight controllers as well as astronauts. Depending on the certification needs of the team, a further posting to Johnson Space Centre could be required.

Training and certification by NASA will be required for mission design (trajectory planning and procedure development), flight controller skills, instructor skills, engineering knowledge of the Mobile Servicing System and Mobile Transporter and recognizing and resolving real-time failures

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What type of person are we looking for?

Your dream job is to work in Mission Control in a human spaceflight program. You are aware of and take pride in Canada's role within the International Space Station Program and its legacy in space robotics. You will be in a highly competitive, high performance group representing Canada within Johnson Space Center's Flight Operations Directorate and with other International Partners. You are a self-starter who can manage your own learning throughout a continuous multi-year training and certification program, while at the same time operating in a job where your work and performance are under constant evaluation by multiple senior flight controllers, engineers, and a Flight Director. You want to learn and be trained to perform in a real-time environment where you are required to assess data, monitor video, listen to multiple conversations simultaneously, and make sound operational decisions to ensure the safety of the crew, the vehicle, and the robotics systems. Through training simulations you will do all of this while managing multiple system failures, and when the simulation is over, you will look forward to the next opportunity to build on what you have learned. You will be disciplined, competent, confident, responsible and vigilant, all while working as part of multidisciplinary teams.

Note that asset qualifications that are listed are not required in order for you to apply but can be used as part of the final selection process.

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When submitting your application, you will have to answer questions regarding the education and experience requirements. You must clearly demonstrate with clear and specific examples how you meet these requirements, to specify the exact period (month/year to month/year) and to provide sufficient information to allow the selection committee to assess the depth and breadth of experience in terms of qualifications sought. It is not sufficient to only state that the qualifications are met or to only provide a listing of current or past responsibilities. Information provided throughout your application must be supported in your resume. Failure to provide this information in the requested format will result in your application being rejected.

We will accept applications on-line only. All job applications must therefore be submitted through the Public Service Resourcing System.

Work environment

Looking for a stimulating work environment? The Canadian Space Agency needs you! Here are some benefits of working at the CSA:
- Free parking
- Free access to the CSA gym (changing room and showers available free of charge)
- Located near the Promenades St-Bruno and the Longueuil Public Market
- Cafeteria offering a wide variety of quality meals at reasonable cost
- Outdoor terrace with tables and umbrellas
- Early childhood center "La Voie Lactée" located next to the CSA ((https://gw.micro-acces.com/cpelavoielactee/publique/Accueil.aspx)
- Larkin-Kerwin Library located in the CSA (http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/fra/bibliotheque/default.asp)

FLEXIBLE WORK:
Applicants must accept to work at the John H. Chapman Space Centre located in Longueuil (Quebec) a minimum of three days per week, as per the Common Hybrid Work Model directive of the CSA.

Intent of the process

The intent of this selection process is to staff several positions on an indeterminate basis. A pool of qualified candidates will be established to staff similar positions with various tenures (indeterminate, specified period, acting, secondment or assignment).

Positions to be filled: Number to be determined

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

EDUCATION:

•Graduation with degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in an engineering specialty relevant to the position such as, but not limited to Aerospace, Computer, Electrical, Mechanical, Systems.

OR

•Eligibility for certification as a professional engineer in Canada with specialization in an engineering specialty relevant to the position.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE:

•*Experience in evaluating, analyzing and solving engineering problems and in making and presenting recommendations.
•*Experience in the application of engineering and operational techniques, practices, processes or procedures.

*Experience is defined as performing relevant activities for a period of 2 years. The total number of years of engineering experience must have been acquired since obtaining a recognized undergraduate degree.

If you possess any of the following, your application must also clearly explain how you meet it (other qualifications)

ASSET QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION:

•A degree from a multi-disciplinary engineering specialty relevant to the position such as, but not limited to Aerospace, Systems, Engineering Physics.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE:

•Experience with relevant operations software.
•Experience in robotics.
•Experience in a relevant operations environment.
•Experience working in a multi-disciplinary function such as but not limited to Systems Engineering, Integration.
•Experience with training and instruction of skills or technical concepts.

The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)

English essential

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE:

•Knowledge of theories and practices of at least two of the following: development, verification, validation, and operation of aerospace (or similar field) hardware or software.

ABILITIES/SKILLS:

•Ability to communicate effectively orally.
•Ability to communicate effectively in writing.
•Ability to work effectively in a time-critical environment.
•Spatial visualization ability.
•Ability to convey complex technical data concisely to management.
•Ability to review engineering documentation for operational impacts.
•Effective interpersonal skills
•Initiative.
•Managing own learning.
•Committing to quality.
•Getting the job done.
•Managing stress.
•Analytical thinking (analysing problems).

The following may be applied / assessed at a later date (may be needed for the job)

ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS:

•In our efforts to achieve a representative workforce, and in accordance with the Employment Equity Act, consideration may be given to candidates self-identifying as belonging to one of the following designated groups: Women, Aboriginal peoples, members of visible minorities and persons with disabilities.

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

•Willingness to work at other facilities in and outside Canada (some of them may require special access).

Conditions of employment

•Secret security clearance

Note: Those selected must meet these conditions on appointment and maintain it throughout their tenure in the position.

OTHER CONDITION(S) OF EMPLOYMENT

•Willingness and availability to travel in Canada or abroad several times per year for short durations.
•Willingness and availability to work overtime upon request and sometimes under tight deadlines.
•Willingness and availability to work shifts occasionally.
•Willingness and availability to occasionally be on-call.
•Willingness and availability to relocate to Houston, Texas, in order to work at the NASA Johnson Space Center for an initial period of 4 months, subsequent postings may be possible, with duration of postings dependent on needs.
•Consent to a deployment should you not successfully complete the professional flight controller development program.

Other information

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the designated groups when you apply.

Information on employment equity

By participating in this process, you consent to the sharing of your application information with other departments in the event that you may be considered for and interested in a similar position.

A variety of assessment methods can be used, such as interviews, achievement records, performance appraisals and references.

You must provide proof of your education credentials.

Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language(s) of their choice.

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans first and then to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, with the exception of a job located in Nunavut, where Nunavut Inuit will be appointed first.

Information on the preference to veterans

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Contact information

Apply online