Lockheed Martin Corporation, Information Systems & Global Solutions Work Values

Daily Duties at Lockheed Martin Corporation, Information Systems & Global Solutions:

Satellite Operations Engineer Satellite Operations offices manage and direct the operation of satellites and the acquisition of remotely sensed data. This office has operational responsibility for the Satellite Operations Control Center (SOCC) at Suitland, MD and Command and Data Acquisition (CDA) facilities at different locations to command and control the satellites, to track the satellites, and to acquire their data. The operations center supports the launch, activation, and evaluation of new satellites and the in-depth assessment of satellite and ground systems anomalies. It prepares plans and procedures for responding to satellite and ground anomalies, and establishes and coordinates the schedules for satellite operation and data acquisition to meet users' needs. It also evaluates the technical performance of the satellites and maintains current information and future prediction on satellite orbits and attitudes. It evaluates the effectiveness of the operational facilities and procedures in terms of the quality, quantity, coverage, and timeliness of the data acquired. Satellite operations engineers’ responsibilities can include the more complex testing and analysis activities involving satellite operations (e.g., launch, early-orbit operations and anomaly support). Other responsibilities can include: • Setting up and configuring ground communications support. • Validating and executing orbit plans. • Issuing spacecraft commands and monitoring and analyzing telemetry, and implementing corrective actions. • Managing software and hardware used to operate spacecraft, detect system anomalies, degradation, or failures. • Reporting on events and spacecraft operational data. • Performing mission planning and scheduling, orbital analysis, archival and data processing, routine database and hardware maintenance. • Maintaining logs, operations procedures and documentation. To accomplish these tasks a large group of diverse engineers and technicians work in many geographically separated locations to insure 24/7 support and maintainability of a satellite(s). This module will look at several different career field jobs that make a satellite ground or tracking station function. Without them, your cellular phone, and cable TV would cease in a very short time. Mission Control Center (MCC) An example of an MCC is that Boeing in Seattle is able to conduct four satellite missions simultaneously from their MCC. Approximately 120 engineering workstations support satellite operations in the following areas there: • Monitoring satellite health and safety • Conducting orbital maneuvers to place the satellite in its final orbital position • Delivery of all commands sent from the ground to the satellite • Linkage to ground stations that support the satellite mission • Verification and validation of all satellite systems o Bus o Payload • Placing the satellite into its final configuration for customer operations • Providing on-orbit station keeping control Flight controllers Flight controllers are personnel who aid in the operations of a space flight, working in Mission Control Centers. Flight controllers sit at computer consoles and use telemetry to monitor in real time various technical aspects of a space mission. Each controller is an expert in a specific area, and is in constant communication with additional experts in the "back room". The flight director is the lead flight controller, monitors the activities of others and has overall responsibility for the mission success and safety. A flight director leads a team, designated by a team name, frequently a color, constellation or stone (e.g., the White or Red Team). Satellite Ground Systems Software Engineers Satellite Ground Systems Software Engineers are satellite ground control system engineers who help architect, design, and implement command and control software for remote sensing satellites. They have experience with the satellite command and telemetry systems, mission planning systems, and operational functions of a mission control system. This type engineer will have experience in the development of satellite command generation and validation software

What they like about Lockheed Martin Corporation, Information Systems & Global Solutions:

Working in an organization that is technologically advanced, creative, and innovative is critical in your assessment of hiring companies. Less important to you are stability of the organization, the length of time an organization has been in business, and the business' plans for the future. You prefer a fast-moving company that will take risks to achieve its goals and objectives. The length of time the company has been in business is irrelevant. Maintaining status quo is unnecessary. You thrive on change, uncertainty and the upside of potential business risks, especially those associated with innovation. Stability for the long haul is not nearly as important as is working in an atmosphere that is charged with a sense of urgency and constant change.

Tags

Earned Value Management, Satellite Operations, Requirements Management, Government Acquisition Procurement, Procurement Processes, Design Processes, Intelligence Analysis, Systems Engineering, Business Development, Program Management, Satellite Command

Skills

These are some of the questions we asked our climbers about their experiences with Lockheed Martin Corporation, Information Systems & Global Solutions: