Director, Fluid Systems Test

Responsibilities

• Lead the Fluids Test organization responsible for component, subsystem, and integrated system development and qualification testing across propulsion, thermal control systems, ECLSS, pressurized systems, and spacecraft fluid distribution hardware
• Develop and execute the long-term fluids test strategy supporting Haven-1 and future spacecraft programs from early development through qualification, supporting integration and flight readiness
• Build, mentor, and scale a multidisciplinary organization of test engineers, technicians, operations specialists, controls engineers, and infrastructure teams
• Oversee the design, commissioning, operation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of fluids test stands, pressure systems, cryogenic systems, vacuum systems, and supporting ground infrastructure
• Define and drive integrated test campaigns validating system performance, reliability, operational readiness, and human-rated safety requirements
• Partner closely with Propulsion, Thermal, ECLSS, Structures, Avionics, GNC, Manufacturing, Systems Engineering, and Mission Operations teams to align test objectives, verification strategies, and development schedules
• Establish rigorous engineering and operational processes for instrumentation, controls integration, data acquisition, calibration, configuration management, and test reporting
• Lead test readiness reviews, operational procedure development, hazard analyses, and safety reviews for high-risk fluid, cryogenic, and pressurized system operations
• Drive root cause investigations, anomaly resolution, corrective actions, and failure analysis efforts arising from integrated test campaigns and system performance issues
• Develop organizational metrics, operational visibility tools, and infrastructure planning strategies to improve test throughput, utilization, reliability, and schedule predictability
• Manage facility utilization, capital equipment planning, operational budgets, staffing forecasts, and long-range infrastructure investments
• Support acceptance testing, spacecraft integration activities, launch site operations, and mission readiness testing as programs progress toward flight operations
• Help establish the operational philosophy, safety standards, and verification methodologies for future human-rated spacecraft fluid systems and integrated test operations
• Foster a culture of technical excellence, urgency, accountability, ownership, collaboration, and safety-first execution across the organization

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical discipline
• 10+ years of experience in aerospace, military and defense, launch vehicle, spacecraft, propulsion, or complex fluid systems testing environments
• 5+ years of technical leadership or people management experience leading engineering or test organizations
• Experience developing, operating, or scaling fluid, propulsion, thermal, cryogenic, pneumatic, or pressurized system test infrastructure
• Strong understanding of instrumentation systems, data acquisition (DAQ), controls integration, automation systems, and test operations
• Experience leading high-risk operations involving hazardous fluids, cryogenic systems, pressure systems, or oxygen-compatible systems
• Demonstrated success leading integrated test campaigns under aggressive hardware development schedules
• Experience partnering cross-functionally with engineering, manufacturing, systems engineering, quality, and operations organizations
• Strong analytical, operational decision-making, root cause investigation, and troubleshooting skills
• Excellent communication and leadership skills with the ability to present technical and programmatic updates to executive leadership