Operations Engineer

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Aid in the implementation of test strategy and objectives, test plans, test procedures, and mission cards for ground and flight testing for high-speed test vehicles
• Collaborate with vehicle engineering team to identify system safety and operational concerns
• Coordinate with multiple engineers, vehicle crew chiefs, and ground support personnel to ensure operational priorities are understood and executed
• Support organization and preparation for Test & Flight Readiness Reviews
• Identify and address test hazards, implementing real-time mitigation actions
• Assist Talon vehicle maintenance and test teams to fulfill operational necessities
• Control on-vehicle priorities and schedules to meet final assembly, test, and flight readiness requirements
• Work closely with respective vehicle Crew Chiefs to ensure proper vehicle configuration and maintenance is complete to support mission priorities
• Participate in functional system test planning and execution in areas such as avionics, flight control actuation, recovery systems, propulsion integration, and propulsion system demonstration activities
• Collaborate with Carrier Aircraft operations teams to ensure successful vehicle mating and integrated systems testing is accomplished
• Respond to emergency situations to ensure the safety of personnel and equipment while acting as the point of contact for first responders; act as mission manager for operations in case of an incident
• Support execution of integrated vehicle ground test activities
• Contribute to high-speed vehicle test data gathering and ensure test results are appropriately reviewed, documented, and controlled
• Provide inputs to refine and mature the high-speed vehicle Concept of Operations including ground and flight operational procedures, timelines, checklists, and emergency response actions, starting from vehicle post manufacture initial testing through recovery of vehicles and return to flight ready state
• Facilitate payload hardware and software integration and integrated test on high-speed test vehicles
• Evaluate risks and risk mitigation plans to determine if the risks are appropriate and risk mitigations are adequate
• Travel, as needed, to support design, mission planning, mission execution, and other tasks

QUALIFICATIONS

• Proven technical aerospace leadership experience, including supervision and training in a technical operations environment with a focus on execution readiness
• Aptitude to analyze and prioritize tasks on their own initiative, and drive projects to completion, to fit within overall business goals
• Ability to lead a large team, make decisions, communicate requirements, and quickly adapt to changing priorities/real world conditions
• Previous experience with new, experimental, or modified aircraft, launch vehicles or spacecraft, technical and safety review boards, and configuration control methods
• Experience with engineering, scheduling, and test data analysis tools
• Knowledge of risk management or safety management systems
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Able to work irregular hours and workdays, and travel periodically
• US Citizenship / Ability to obtain and maintain a secret security clearance
• Critical thinking skills, and problem-solving attitude a must