Staff Test Engineer (Weapon Systems)

Description

The company's aeronautics systems group is hiring a senior flight test engineer to lead weapons test work on advanced aircraft.

You will be the top technical lead for weapons flight testing, covering planning, execution, integration and data analysis.

The role links design engineering, maintenance, test operations, program leaders and customer representatives.

You will work inside a Combined Test Force at Edwards AFB, CA, and across several Integrated Product Teams to finish complex aircraft weapon test goals.

Much of the work is done on your own initiative, using deep flight test and weapons integration knowledge on hard technical and program problems.

Responsibilities

• Lead every stage of weapons integration testing, from research and requirements analysis through test design, data planning, execution oversight, troubleshooting and post-test evaluation.
• Write and direct the creation of full test plans, integrated strategies, detailed procedures and schedules for complex ground and flight missions.
• Act as the lead technical authority for weapon flight test execution, making sure objectives, instrumentation, safety and data needs match program and customer expectations.
• Review and assess engineering documents such as software requirements packages, interface control documents, performance-based specifications and architecture products to confirm test completeness and accuracy.
• Solve unusually hard hardware, software, interface and platform problems, creating practical new solutions that meet mission and program goals.
• Give real-time control room support and technical direction during ground and flight missions, including calls on test conduct, anomaly response and mission priorities.
• Lead post-flight data review, technical analysis, discrepancy resolution and reporting, giving clear system-level assessments and recommendations to leaders and customers.
• Serve as the main point of contact between test operations, design, maintenance, program leadership and government customers on weapons test topics.
• Advise management and customers on test strategy, technical risk, integration issues and capability growth for current and future weapon applications.
• Help build better test methods, best practices and technical approaches that raise team effectiveness and support long-term program goals.
• Mentor less experienced engineers and help grow technical skill in the weapons test group.
• Act as a senior advisor and spokesperson on weapons test matters, shaping technical direction, test strategy and risk posture across the organization.
• Apply electrical, electronic and mechanical principles to components and systems, including assembly, analysis, documentation, developmental assembly construction and quality testing, and support the design, test, modification, fabrication and assembly of prototype electromechanical systems.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science in a STEM field plus 12 years of relevant experience, or a Master's in a STEM field plus 10 years.
• Active DoD Secret clearance, with a background investigation in the last 6 years or enrollment in Continuous Evaluation.
• Ability to obtain and keep Special Access Program (SAP) clearance within a time frame set by business needs.
• Willing to work overtime, odd hours and occasional weekends to support flight test schedules.
• Significant experience in flight test, weapon-system integration, mission systems or military aircraft developmental test.
• Proven ability to lead complex technical work with little oversight and to coordinate across varied functional teams.
• Advanced expertise in the functional design integration of weapon systems.
• In-depth knowledge of Stores Management System (SMS) and Suspension & Release Equipment (S&RE) hardware and software.
• Familiarity with MIL-STD-1553, MIL-STD-1760 and the Universal Armament Interface (UAI).
• Broad systems-level understanding of aircraft subsystems and how they affect mission execution, pilot-vehicle interface, maintenance and test support.
• Preferred: current active DoD Top Secret clearance.
• Preferred: extensive direct experience flight testing weapon systems or mission systems on military aircraft.
• Preferred: advanced working knowledge of weapons integration, payload systems, SMS, S&RE and related aircraft interfaces.
• Preferred: demonstrated familiarity with MIL-STD-1553, MIL-STD-1760, UAI and similar weapon integration standards.
• Preferred: prior work in classified flight test settings and applying Safety Management System processes to flight test operations.
• Preferred: familiarity with USAF 412th Test Wing processes and Combined Test Force operations.
• Preferred: strong written and spoken communication, including briefing senior leaders, government customers and cross-functional teams.
• Preferred: proven record as a senior technical advisor, leading integrated test work and shaping technical direction across programs.

Conditions

Secret clearance required before start.

Relocation assistance may be available.

Travel: 10% of the time.

Base pay range for the primary level is $177,000.00 to $265,600.00, a general guide. Final offers depend on scope, responsibilities, experience, education, skills and market conditions.

The application window is estimated at 20 days from the posting date and may be shortened or extended based on business needs and candidate availability.

Benefits

• Depending on the position, possible overtime pay, shift differential and a discretionary bonus.
• Annual bonus rewards individual contributions and shared company results.
• Vice President and Director roles may be eligible for Long Term Incentives.
• Health insurance, life and disability insurance, savings plan, paid company holidays and paid time off for vacation or personal business.