Lead Operator Stratospheric Systems

Reports to: Regional Manager

Status: Full-time, Non-exempt

Location: Nationwide with candidates residing within 60-90 minutes’ drive time of a major airport.

Status: Full-time

Range: $25 – 29/hr

Travel: 100% travel role

Work schedule: 15 days on and 13 days off

About Near Space Labs

Near Space Labs is leading the next generation of Earth imaging. We design, build, and operate a fleet of proprietary, stratospheric balloons called Swiftys. Our Swiftys fly to the edge of space to deliver high quality, updated imagery of our planet.

Flight Operations is a fast-paced growing organization responsible for operating and launching our fleet of Swiftys throughout the U.S. to meet our customer imaging and data needs.

What You Will Do

You will be part of a three person Pod (team) responsible for launching image capturing stratospheric balloons around the USA.  The Lead Operator Stratospheric Balloons plays a critical role in executing and scaling our flight operational footprint.  The Lead Operator Stratospheric Balloons plays a critical role in executing and scaling our flight operations footprint across mainland USA. The incumbent is a detail-oriented, solutions-driven leader with 2 - 5+ years of experience as a technical lead or technical supervisor. The incumbent will be the team (Pod) Swifty subject matter expert and lead the Pod operations and equipment troubleshooting. Additionally, they will be expected to provide on the job training and coach to their Pod to ensure high performance and technical proficiency. The incumbent will need to perform work outdoors including hiking, walking and in general physical duties are considered active throughout an extended workday.

 Essential Job Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage a Pod of 1 - 3 personnel: Overseeing scheduling, training, and ensuring that their team and equipment is fully prepared to execute the Pod’s capture missions successfully.
• Work with Mission Control, Flight Operations Planner, Regional Manager, and Deputy Director Stratospheric Operations to successfully execute capture missions.
• Own your Pod’s mission success: Take charge of all aspects of field operations, including imaging execution, ensuring the functionality and airworthiness of the Pod’s fleet of Swiftys, completing and verifying accurate daily reports, managing local inventory necessary for Pod flight operations, coordinating shipping to and from Near Space Labs facilities, scheduling maintenance for assigned fleet vehicles, and coordinating helium logistics.
• Submit Daily Debriefs and Reports: Review daily accomplishments, outstanding tasks, and upcoming mission details with the Mission Planner and Controller on duty. Write a detailed daily debrief report that will be distributed to stakeholders across the company.
• Work with the Deputy Director Stratospheric Operations and the Lead Field Engineer to provide feedback on components in the field and to ensure quality control.
• Strictly follow Near Space Labs operational and manufacturing procedures and processes.
• Provide feedback to the Field Engineers to ensure improvements to Near Space Labs operational procedures and processes are captured.
• Generate failure reports for malfunctions and abnormalities in the Swifty and associated equipment with submission through the Field Engineers, to the respective engineering departments.
• Communicate with members of the local community during Swifty recovery and operation.
• Ensure a Safe working environment for the Pod.
• Lead and report Pod local purchases as required/directed.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Demonstrates a high degree of professionalism in communication, attitude, and teamwork.
• Demonstrates a high level of work quality, attendance, and appearance.
• Ensure adherence to all Company policies, procedures, and safety regulations.
• Ensure Pod Adherence to compliance to local, state, and federal laws.
• Additional responsibilities assigned by supervisor related to your position and or department.
• Ability to work varied hours, nights, days, and weekends to support business needs.

Working Schedule:

• Work a 15 days ON/13 day OFF schedule including most holidays; 25 – 25 work weeks per calendar year.
• Travel to field Sunday AM, working Monday – Sunday am, Travel home Sunday PM.
• Average 70+ hour workweek; ability to support working days of 12+ hours; and Overtime eligible based on state and federal regulations as applicable.
• Adhere to a rigid launch schedule to support flight campaigns including, but not limited to, overtime when needed.

Experience and Competency Requirements

• 3+ years of experience working with technical hardware, or a BS degree desirable but not essential.
• 2+ years of experience leading and managing a team of technical contributors in a field environment, with a proven track record of mission success.
• Experience in training and coaching technical individuals, with a focus on improving technical proficiency and ensuring high performance.
• Strong leadership abilities, with the capacity to motivate others, and excellent conflict management and problem-solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to effectively convey mission requirements, field updates, and technical details to both team members and upper management; ability to communicate and execute mission requirements as directed.
• Ability to plan, prioritize, and execute mission-critical tasks under tight timelines; quickly shift priorities and efficiently prioritize tasks based on mission success, ensuring that the most critical issues are addressed first.
• Strong critical thinking skills to quickly address issues that arise in the field and develop creative solutions.
• Proven experience troubleshooting technical systems to diagnosing and repairing complex hardware issues; determine which equipment and/or components require action for repair, replacement, or improvement.; hands-on experience repairing hardware.
• Strong understanding of safety protocols and regulatory compliance related to flight operations and equipment handling.
• Detail-oriented, organized, and punctual.
• Ability to operate effectively and adapt in demanding, fast-paced situations.
• Ability to safely operate and maneuver a heavy-duty truck with a 20 ft. trailer attached.
• Proficiency in land navigation, particularly in remote or challenging environments, to support field operations.
• Experience in a Startup Environment: Prior experience working in a fast-paced startup or rapidly growing organization, with the ability to contribute to process improvements and scalability preferred.
• UAS Part 107 Certification is desirable or knowledge of balloon operations.

Physical Activities and Demands

Physical Job Function Requirements: This role requires frequent physical activity, including lifting, carrying, and walking. You should be prepared to work in various outdoor environments, often for extended periods. Detailed requirements are listed below.

• Hike/walk between 0-5 miles with ~20 lbs. of equipment per day - Constantly
• Hike/walk between 5-12 miles with ~20 lbs. of equipment per day - Infrequently
• Lift up to 40 lbs. from 30 min to 5 hours per day - Frequently
• Lift between 40-60 lbs. up to 30 min per day - Frequently
• Carry up to 30 lbs. from 30 min to 5 hours per day - Frequently
• Carry between 30-60 lbs. up to 30 min per day - Frequently
• Push or pull between 130-150 lbs. via a hand truck up to 30 min per day - Constantly
• Push or pull up to 50 lbs. - Infrequently
• Stand (at a time and total in shift) - Constantly
• Walk (at a time and total in shift) - Constantly
• Climb ladder - Infrequently
• Climb tree - Occasionally
• Crouch or Kneel - Occasionally
• Crawl - Infrequently
• Stoop - Occasionally
• Reach overhead - Occasionally
• Reach below waist level - Frequently
• Reach at desk/waist level - Frequently
• Simple grasp - Constantly
• Firm grasp - Frequently
• Fine manipulation - Frequently
• Sitting for extended periods (to drive or perform work) 0-10 hours per day - Constantly; and
• Driving a heavy-duty truck between 0-8 hours per day - Constantly

 

 

Work Environment

In general, the following conditions of the work environment are representative of those that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to allow differently abled individuals to perform the essential functions of the job within the environment.

• The majority of work is performed outdoors and is subject to varying local conditions, including fluctuations in temperature, humidity, lighting, and air quality. Employees should be prepared to work in diverse weather conditions. Portions of the work may be conducted in a temperature-controlled vehicle and may include accommodations for overnight stays, as needed for job-related travel.
• Noise levels are considered moderate.

Legal Disclaimers

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the outlined representative duties, knowledge and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this position; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed. Reasonable accommodations may be made to allow differently abled individuals to perform the essential functions of the job within the environment. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer.