Principal/ Sr. Principal Test Engineer (SURV-LO)

Description

The company's Aeronautics Systems business is hiring a Low Observables Test Engineer for its Flight Test Engineering Survivability team at Edwards AFB, CA.

The role is pitched at Principal or Sr. Principal level and centres on hands-on work, applying deep expertise in low observables (LO) and survivability testing across the flight test campaign.

You will join a Combined Test Force at Edwards AFB and several Integrated Product Teams, covering LO and electronic warfare systems (EWS) testing.

The best fit combines strong LO knowledge with the ability to write software and scripts for test automation, data analysis and tool development.

Relocation assistance may be available.

A Secret clearance is required for start.

Responsibilities

• Act as a technical contributor on the Survivability Flight Test Engineering team, planning and running tests of LO and EW systems on military aircraft.
• Use electronic warfare and survivability knowledge to design test points, specify instrumentation and check system performance against requirements.
• Build, maintain and run analysis tools, scripts and models, for example in Python, MATLAB or similar, to automate data processing, run signal and spectral analysis and produce test reports.
• Work with the Integrated Product Team to set test requirements, methods, measurement equipment, test setups and pre and post-test reports.
• Analyse flight test data to characterise LO performance, and contribute to test cards, quick-look products and final reports.
• Support integration, ground testing, and the operation and upkeep of Tier 0-3 RCS test and inspection tools. Run pre-mission rehearsals to confirm aircraft configurations, range assets, threat systems and data acquisition setups are ready for planned scenarios.
• Spot, raise and help manage test risks, issues and opportunities with internal and external stakeholders.
• Improve test processes, data analysis flows and software tools to make work more efficient and repeatable.

Requirements

• Curiosity about complex aerospace systems and a real drive to grow as a technical expert.
• Working well in a multidisciplinary team and learning from others while contributing your own ideas.
• For Principal Test Engineer: a Bachelor of Science in a STEM discipline plus 5 years of related professional or military experience, or a Master's degree plus 3 years of related professional or military experience.
• For Sr. Principal Test Engineer: a Bachelor of Science in a STEM discipline plus 8 years of related professional or military experience, or a Master's degree plus 6 years of related professional or military experience.
• Experience in a systems test environment, such as flight test, HWIL, SIL, laboratory or range-based test of complex avionics, sensors or mission systems.
• Familiarity with survivability concepts, such as threat systems, mission-level survivability, LO/RCS and EW effects.
• Proven experience with at least one programming or scripting language used for test and data analysis, such as Python, MATLAB or similar.
• An active US Government DoD Secret clearance, with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolment in Continuous Evaluation.
• The ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance within a timeframe set by business needs.
• Willingness to work overtime, odd-hour shifts and occasional weekends to support test and range schedules.
• Preferred: an active US Government DoD Top Secret clearance.
• Preferred: strong oral and written communication, with experience presenting mission concepts, test designs and results to leadership, contractors or customers.
• Preferred: direct flight test experience of survivability capabilities, weapon systems or mission systems on military aircraft.
• Preferred: demonstrated use of Tier 1-3 diagnostics systems to classify RCS performance.
• Preferred: a clear understanding of LO concepts, including radar cross section (RCS) reduction, signature management and material coatings.
• Preferred: understanding of electronic warfare fundamentals, namely electronic support (ES), electronic attack (EA) and electronic protection (EP).
• Preferred: hands-on experience building or maintaining analysis tools, automation scripts or visualisation dashboards for test data, such as Python pipelines, MATLAB toolboxes or C/C++ utilities.
• Preferred: experience in classified environments and familiarity with Safety Management System (SMS) processes for flight test operations.
• Preferred: familiarity with USAF 412th Test Wing processes and Combined Test Force operations at Edwards AFB.

Conditions

Full-time, on-site work at Edwards AFB. Remote, hybrid and telework are not available for this role.

Travel of up to 25% may be required.

Base salary ranges: Primary Level $114,000.00 to $171,000.00; Secondary Level $142,200.00 to $213,400.00.

These ranges are a general guide. Final base pay depends on the scope of the role and on your experience, education, skills and current market conditions.

The application period is estimated at 20 days from the posting date, and may be shortened or extended based on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.

Benefits

• Possible eligibility for overtime, shift differential and a discretionary bonus on top of base pay.
• Annual bonuses that reward individual contributions and share company results.
• Long Term Incentives for Vice President or Director roles only, where eligible.
• Health insurance, life and disability insurance, a savings plan, company-paid holidays and paid time off for vacation or personal business.