Early Career Test Operations Engineer - Propulsion

About the role

We are looking for a Mechanical Engineer or Aerospace Engineer who wants to work in a multi-disciplinary team that plays a key role in supporting national defense. The engineer hired into this role acts as the “quarterback” in one of the control rooms responsible for planning and execution of test plans for testing. This position does require shift work to support testing as test load demands.

Responsibilities

• Learn and understand test systems; requires the ability to respond and make decisions quickly to alarms/alerts in fast paced, high pressure situations, ensuring the safety of the test crew, the facility, and the test article
• Respond when systems malfunction during a test, troubleshooting and directing corrective maintenance activities (or calling in the appropriate systems engineer for additional support)
• Cook up work with the appropriate area superintendent, craft supervisor, and / or work planner and provide technical leadership to the craft workforce in execution of work orders and operational / maintenance procedures (work instructions, WIs), Lock-Out / Tag-Out (LOTO), critical lifts, etc.
• Ensure proper test / operations reporting (Ops Center, test resumes, Operating Test Logs, Test Unit Status Logs, Test Article Activity Logs, unplanned event reporting, etc.)
• Perform facility characterization/ calibrations, monitor facility performance, and maintain system capability / performance maps and envelopes
• Test operations engineers also operate as system engineers for equipment within or directly providing support to the test cell facility and may engage in some small design and analysis tasks as needed
• Operate assigned test cell systems effectively
• Work to develop the test operational requirements (test period directives, detailed run programs, etc.) ensuring test article mounts are structurally sound to withstand expected test
• Direct test system checkouts and testing as required
• Work with multidiscipline engineers, physicists, and skilled craft technicians in the test control room in operating the facility systems
• Work extra hours and/or support off shift testing as required
• Communicate clearly and utilize various methods of communication

Requirements

NOTE: This posting is specifically for mechanical or aerospace engineers with less than 5 years’ post degree engineering experience

• BS degree in mechanical engineering or aerospace engineering from an accredited college or university
• Grade L07: A minimum of 2 years’ relevant engineering experience
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance and the AEDC local area network

Qualifications

• Practical application of technical knowledge of mechanical engineering systems, applications of engineering methods and construction methods and materials, and application of computer aided engineering (CAE)/computer aided design (CAD) tools to engineering problems
• Multi-disciplinary knowledge or experience (electrical engineering, mechatronics, control systems, etc.) is a plus
• Ability to work in a dynamic environment with flexibility to accomplish mission objectives
• Strong communication skills (including verbal and written) and demonstrated ability to make decisions in a high pressure, time sensitive environment
• Demonstrated experience successfully building relationships with team across engineering and craft workforce
• Strong organizational skills to track and facilitate progress on projects
• Demonstrated proactiveness and initiative to drive to results
• Exhibits strong level of technical curiosity and desire to seek understanding
• Participates in and fosters a work environment that is based upon openness, trust, communication, teamwork, empowerment, innovation, and satisfaction

Skills

None specified in the job posting.

Benefits

None specified in the job posting.

Pay

Grade 06: $80,000 - $97,000; Grade 07: $83,000 - $105,000 / year at Arnold AFB, TN.

Schedule

Shift work to support testing as test load demands.