Job Descriptions:
About the Role
We are seeking a Senior Meteorology Operations Manager to lead meteorological field operations in support of rocket launch campaigns. This role owns the planning, installation, commissioning, and sustainment of meteorological towers, LiDAR systems, and radiosonde ground systems. They will deliver mission-critical weather products and briefings to enable safe, informed launch decisions.
They will serve as the technical authority for meteorological systems and processes across pre?launch, launch, and post?flight operations-ensuring instrumentation accuracy, data integrity, and clear communication of weather constraints and risks to mission leadership.
Key Responsibilities
Field Deployment & Commissioning
Plan, install, and commission meteorological towers, including wind sensors, temperature/pressure/humidity sensors, data acquisition systems, power, and communications.
Integrate and operate wind LiDAR (Doppler) systems for vertical wind profiles; perform alignment, configuration, and acceptance testing.
Configure, calibrate, and operate radiosonde (balloon?borne) ground systems for upper?air soundings; manage tracking, data logging, and telemetry integrations.
Operations & Oversight
Lead day?of?launch and daily weather briefings; produce graphical products and text summaries tailored to Launch Commit Criteria (LCC) (e.g., surface winds, winds aloft, turbulence, lightning, cloud ceilings, precipitation, density altitude).
Oversee meteorological operations, SOPs, and safety practices; provide technical oversight for contractors and junior personnel.
Coordinate with Range Safety, Flight Performance, and Mission Management to translate weather impacts into operational constraints and recommendations.
Data Quality & Systems Management
Implement QA/QC processes (sensor validation, plausibility checks, redundancy, calibration schedules); maintain documentation and asset lifecycle records.
Manage data pipelines from instrumentation to analysis platforms; ensure reliable real?time feeds and historical archives.
Troubleshoot hardware/software issues in remote environments; maintain spares, tools, and field kits.
Write new software packages for wind data incorporation related to real-time wind monitoring and range safety aspects of the launch.
Analysis & Products
Generate mesoscale and site?specific weather analyses using observational networks and numerical guidance (e.g., HRRR, NAM, WRF).
Create clear visualizations and narratives for technical and non?technical audiences; deliver go/no?go recommendations aligned to mission risk tolerance.
Contribute to siting studies and environmental assessments for new ranges (terrain, exposure, obstructions, lightning risk).
Have a good understanding of rocket dynamics and how weather affects unguided spin stabilized vehicles.
Compliance & Safety
Enforce tower safety and fall?protection procedures; support electrical grounding/lightning protection checks per standards.
Maintain compliance with organizational policies and applicable regulations; uphold operational security requirements.
Facilitate FAA approval for LiDAR systems and obtain range-specific compliance for all other weather systems.
Required Experience:
Minimum Qualifications
Experience: 10+ years of relevant meteorological field operations or instrumentation experience supporting aerospace, defense, range operations, or similar high?consequence environments.
Demonstrated capability to set up all hardware related to meteorological towers (sensors, data loggers, power, communications) and to set up and operate radiosonde tracking systems for weather balloons.
Familiarity with SMART?IP software and related tools used in meteorological operations.
Proven experience generating and presenting mission briefings, weather graphical products, and text summaries in support of operations.
Security Clearance: Current active [Secret/Top Secret] security clearance. Otherwise, possess the ability to obtain a Secret clearance.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience: 20+ years of relevant meteorological field operations or instrumentation experience supporting aerospace, defense, range operations, or similar high?consequence environments.
Hands?on experience with wind LiDAR (Doppler) systems; met mast installation (guyed/free?standing) and tower commissioning.
Experience with radiosonde systems and ground software (e.g., Vaisala platforms or equivalent).
Working knowledge of numerical weather prediction and mesoscale analysis; ability to interpret HRRR/NAM/WRF outputs and integrate with local observations.
Proficiency with data and visualization tools (e.g., Python, MetPy, matplotlib, GIS), and common data loggers.
Familiarity with range telemetry, RF fundamentals, GPS/GNSS tracking, and integrating met data with flight dynamics models.
Experience writing SOPs, conducting training, and leading small technical teams in the field.
Working Conditions & Physical Requirements
Willingness to work outdoors in all weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, and high winds.
Ability to lift and carry equipment up to [50 lbs]; stand for extended periods.
Availability for night/weekend/holiday operations aligned to launch windows; extended deployments to remote sites.
Additional Requirements
Citizenship: U.S. citizenship required due to security clearance and ITAR/EAR restrictions.
Travel: Up to 50% travel to domestic (and potentially international) ranges.
Driver's License: Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record.
Keyword: LiDAR, Doppler, Balloon-borne, Meterology
Kratos Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.
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From: Kratos Defense
