Observatory Technician Associate

Job ID: 2508167

Location: AURORA, CO, US

Date Posted: 2025-08-05

Category: Engineering and Sciences

Subcategory: Specialty Engr

Schedule: Full-time

Shift: Night Job

Travel: Yes, 10 % of the Time

Minimum Clearance Required: Interim Top Secret

Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain: TS/SCI with Poly

Potential for Remote Work: No

Description

SAIC is seeking an Observatory Technician to join the National Security and Space Sector (NSS). You would work on a joint Intelligence Community (IC) and Department of Defense (DoD) crown jewel program providing highly specialized space/counter-space engineering, scientific, and analytical services from Aurora, Colorado. We support the Nation's leading-edge IC and DoD space programs and offer compelling, deep-technical work that has direct influence and impact on program development and operations. Our team has Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) across a variety of disciplines, including engineering, physics, mathematics, RF, optics, space acquisition and operations, and intelligence collection and analysis.

This Observatory Technician will work in a collaborative team-focused environment of U.S. Government civilians and contractors solving applied technical problems and developing usable solutions for multiple space-related capabilities and threats. The primary functions for this role are to:

• Operate and maintain an optical data collection site specializing in photometric measurements of space objects.
• Support studies and investigations in the optical characterization of the selected space objects with meter and sub-meter optical systems.

Duties and responsibilities include:

• Install, configure, and operate optical telescope assemblies, scientific cameras, and mounts using associated sensor and mount control software.
• Conduct data collection operations and assist with associated data reduction and processing activities.
• Assist with system maintenance functions, such as alignments, calibrations, and troubleshooting.
• Produce configuration, test, operations, and maintenance procedures, as well as maintain data collection configuration and inventory control records.
• Work directly with the customers, subject matter experts, and other operators in a team environment with minimal supervision.
• Support and/or coordinate facility operations and maintenance activities and vendors.

Must be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI with Polygraph to remain on the program.

Qualifications

Required Skills:

• Minimum of a bachelor's degree in engineering, mathematics, or science fields.
• Must be able to obtain a TS/SCI Clearance with Special Access eligibility and successfully complete a Polygraph.
• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Demonstrated record of effective individual and group work behaviors, with abilities to proactively initiate and operate in dynamic and incompletely defined environments.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with experience conveying technical concepts, results, and summaries to internal customers, external customers, and stakeholders of diverse technical backgrounds.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and flexibility to adjust to changing priorities.
• Good working knowledge of MS Office applications and familiarity with Linux Red Hat OS.
• Ability to maintain a flexible night shift schedule, primarily working sunset to sunrise, dependent on weather conditions.

Strongly Desired Skills:

• BS in Astronomy, Astrophysics, Physics, or Aerospace Engineering.
• Active TS-SCI clearance with Poly.
• Familiarity with MATLAB, Python and/or other programming experience.
• Working knowledge of space system orbits and proficiency with Systems Tool Kit (STK).
• Experience in observatory operations.
• Experience with the installation, operations and maintenance of meter and sub-meter telescopes.

Target salary range: $80,001 - $120,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.