Operations Engineer – Mission Control

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Assessment accommodation

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

A Robotics Flight Controller works 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 St. Hubert, Quebec.

http://asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/iss/robotics/robotics-mission-control-centre.asp

The incumbents will need to relocate to Houston, Texas to do their initial 2-3 years of training and certification at the Johnson Space Center. After the 2-3 year posting, they will return to St. Hubert, Quebec and continue to make progress on further levels of certification, support on-going operations, and assist in the training of other flight controllers as well as astronauts.

Training and certification by NASA will be required for mission design (trajectory planning and procedure development), flight controller 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 their 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. Some of the benefits for applicants include that you can:

- modify your application/resume at any time BEFORE the closing date,
- complete screening questions which will highlight your qualifications to the hiring manager, and
- verify the status of your application and notification(s), at any time.

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)

Intent of the process

This process will be used to staff 2 permanent positions.

Positions to be filled: 2

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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

EDUCATION:
• A bachelor degree from a recognized university, 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

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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 and/or procedures.

*Experience is defined as performing relevant activities for a period of 2 years in the last 5 years.

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

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ABILITIES:
• 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.

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PERSONAL SUITABILITY:
• Effective interpersonal skills;
• Initiative;
• Managing own learning;
• Committing to quality;
• Getting the job done;
• Dealing with crises;
• Analytical thinking (analysing problems).

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

English essential
Please note that the duties of the position require a fluent command of English.

Information on language requirements

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

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

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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.

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KNOWLEDGE:
• Knowledge of the international space station;
• Knowledge of the mobile servicing system;
• Knowledge of technical fields such as dynamics, mechanical systems, and human machine interface;
• Knowledge of national and international industries and organizations involved in the space fields.

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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.

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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;
• 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 relocate to Houston, Texas, in order to work at the NASA Johnson Space Center for an approximate period of 3 years;
• At the end of this approximate period of 3 years, willingness to occupy an EN-ENG-03 level position at Saint-Hubert, Quebec;
• Consent to a deployment in another EN-ENG-03 position should you not successfully complete the professional flight controller development program.



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

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

Reference checks may be sought.

An interview may be administered.

A test may be administered.

A situational exercise may be administered.

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.

Acknowledgment of receipt of applications will not be sent; we will contact candidates when the screening process is completed.

All information pertaining to the process will be sent by email. It is therefore your responsibility to verify your email account for new communication regarding this selection process on a regular basis.
Candidates who apply to this selection process should include an email address that accepts email from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email.)

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans and to Canadian citizens, in that order, 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.