Staff Engineer, Test & Evaluation (R5141)

What you'll do:

• Manage and maintain traceability of test requirements throughout system development, integration, and test execution phases.  
• Plan, coordinate, and execute aircraft/lab test execution activities, including pre-test readiness reviews, test conduct, data collection, and post-test reporting.  
• Coordinate test schedules and support comprehensive test planning activities to ensure alignment with program milestones and objectives.  
• Develop and manage test event sequencing and execution plans throughout the aircraft build and integration lifecycle. 
• Coordinate and oversee ground and flight test execution activities, ensuring adherence to approved procedures, safety requirements, and program objectives.  
• Ensure test activities, methodologies, and deliverables align with engineering, mission, and program requirements.  
• Participate in Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs), test planning meetings, and pre-test briefings to support successful test execution.
• Develop, maintain, and continuously improve test procedures to enhance accuracy, efficiency, repeatability, and overall execution quality.  
• Investigate, troubleshoot, and evaluate test anomalies, discrepancies, and system performance issues to support timely resolution.  
• Collaborate closely with Test Engineering, Quality Engineering, and cross-functional teams to resolve issues, implement corrective actions, and improve test processes.  
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on increasing test efficiency, execution quality, and operational effectiveness.  
• Support extended work hours, shift work, and weekend operations as required to meet test schedules, flight operations, and program commitments.  

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical field and 7+ years of relevant aerospace, aircraft test, or flight test experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.  
• Experience planning, executing, and reporting on test activities for UAV, UAS, or manned aircraft systems. 
• Ability to read, interpret, and understand engineering drawings, schematics, and technical documentation.
• Experience developing aircraft test plans, test procedures, and test documentation for new or modified aircraft systems.  
• Hands-on experience supporting aircraft integration, test, and validation activities in a production or manufacturing environment.   
• Ability to troubleshoot complex aircraft, avionics, and system integration issues during test activities. 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams.   
• Demonstrated attention to detail with a proactive, safety-focused approach to testing and operations.   
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance and any required program access.   
• Willingness to work non-standard hours, including evenings and weekends, as required to support program objectives.   
• Ability to travel domestically to support flight test and customer site activities.   
• Experience leading aircraft test planning and execution efforts across multiple programs or test events.   
• Demonstrated ability to mentor junior engineers and technicians.   
• Experience coordinating test activities across engineering, manufacturing, operations, and customer stakeholders.   
• Ability to independently develop test strategies and provide technical leadership for complex integration and flight test campaigns  

Preferred qualifications:

• Active DoD Secret security clearance (current preferred) with eligibility to support special access programs.  
• Experience supporting Group 5 UAS/UAV launch, recovery, and flight operations. 
• Hands-on experience with aircraft avionics systems, integration, troubleshooting, and testing.  
• Aircraft maintenance experience supporting military, commercial, or unmanned aircraft platforms.
• Experience conducting laboratory-based testing, verification, and validation of aircraft systems, subsystems, or components.