The Operations Engineer will play a critical role in supporting research and development activities at NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center (AFRC). This position requires leadership capabilities to perform a full spectrum of Engineering duties and requires an advanced understanding of Engineering principles. The candidate must be capable of independent decision-making, problem-solving, and executing highly technical aerospace engineering tasks within a dynamic flight research environment.

Engineering and Integration:
• Define and manage system requirements, risk management, and integration strategies.

• Support aircraft flight operations, modifications, maintenance planning, and troubleshooting.

• Serve as an operational engineer for AFRC projects which may include manned or unmanned projects to develop and assist in the development of advanced autonomous aircraft system technologies, development, and implementation of flight vehicle integration procedures across all required disciplines and organizations inside and outside of NASA.
• Maintain Aircraft Configuration management (flight and maintenance manuals) as required including management and disposition of Time Compliance Technical Order (TCTO), Airworthiness Directives, and Maintenance Directives (MDs) as required.
• Prepare and manage Certificate of Authorization (COAs).
• Support and lead flight test planning and test card development.
• Participate and take on leadership roles in Operations Working Groups (OWGs), Mission Rule Working Groups (MRWGs), Systems Safety Working Groups (SSWGs).
• Develop procedures for assembly, installation, and integration of scientific instruments into NASA’s aircraft.
• Analyze project objectives and requirements, develop plans for conducting projects, provide support for the project safety review process, including participation in the development of Failure Modes and Effects Analysis, documentation of hazards, and the specification and implementation of mitigations to those hazards.
• Review project instructions to ascertain requirements, specifications, procedures, objectives, equipment, nature of technical problem, and possible solutions.
• Set up and conduct tests or studies of complete systems, components, or concepts under research test conditions to investigate proposals for improving performance or other factors; or to obtain data for development, standardization, and quality control with some supervisory direction and review.
• Record test or report procedures and results, numerical and graphical data, and make recommendations for changes.
• Analyze indicated and calculated results in relation to requirements, specifications, or test objectives.

Leadership, Research, and Project Management:
• Serve as technical lead and mentor for engineering teams and junior engineers.
• Drive research and development (R&D) initiatives, supporting NASA’s aerospace advancements.
• Lead Tech Briefs, risk assessments, and strategic planning for flight test programs.

• Participate or lead in pre-mission deployments representing the Ops Engineering branch.

• Mentor engineers in specific technical areas and/or the system engineering process and project management principles.

Education & Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience as principal Investigator, Group Leader, Project Engineer, Project Manager, or equivalent.
• 20 years of experience and a bachelor’s degree in engineering or physical science.
• 18 years of experience and a master’s degree in engineering or physical science.
• 15 years of experience and a PhD degree in Engineering or Physical Science.

 

Technical Skills & Knowledge:
• Expertise in aerospace operations engineering.
• Extensive experience with NASA flight test processes, aerospace system integration, and flight safety regulations.
• Knowledge of FAA, NASA, and DoD safety and certification requirements.

 

Soft Skills & Work Environment:
• Proven ability to lead engineering teams and manage complex projects.
• Strong problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent technical communication and presentation skills for both internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to travel as required for technical reviews, test flights, and NASA research engagements.

AMERICAN SYSTEMS is committed to pay transparency for our applicants and employee-owners. The salary range for this position is USD $108,100.00/Yr. - USD $180,600.00/Yr. Actual compensation will be determined based on several factors permitted by law. AMERICAN SYSTEMS provides for the welfare of its employees and their dependents through a comprehensive benefits program by offering healthcare benefits, paid leave, retirement plans, insurance programs, and education and training assistance.

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