Hardware-in-the-Loop Systems Engineer

BNH•San Marcos, TX

4d•$112,000 - $174,500•Onsite

About The Position

Beyond New Horizons, LLC (BNH) has an exciting opportunity for an HWIL Systems Engineer supporting the Test Operations and Sustainment (TOS) II contract at Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC), Arnold Air Force Base, TN. In this role, you will be the primary operational lead for the Range Systems Support Laboratory (RSSL), an operational facility that provides AEDC with the ability to simulate complex testing environments to develop, test, and validate software and controls logic. You will oversee lab modernization, configuration management, and readiness to ensure mission-critical ground test support for key national aerospace programs. You will also maintain readiness for HWIL systems that have been deployed to test facilities. The HWIL Systems Engineer is responsible for ensuring operational readiness of the RSSL, a critical simulation and testing environment. This includes managing lab configurations, supporting pre-test mission evaluations, driving continuous improvement, and ensuring the facility is prepared for a wide range of validation activities. The successful candidate will interface daily with System Administrators, Controls and Data SMEs, Control Systems Engineers, Facility Modeling Engineers, and external vendors like MathWorks to support development and troubleshooting. This role is central to reducing risk and cost for AEDC by enabling robust "off-line" analysis and investigation of operational issues without requiring costly "air-on" facility time. Key strategic initiatives for this role include leading efforts in modernization, automated regression testing, reflective memory replacement, and footprint consolidation.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or Computer Engineering from an accredited institution and a minimum of eight (8) years of engineering experience in an aerospace, industrial test, or R&D environment, which includes:
Professional experience with the development, integration, or sustainment of Hardware-in-the-Loop (HWIL) systems, real-time simulation environments, or industrial control systems (ICS).
Experience with configuration management and troubleshooting of hardware and software within a laboratory or test facility.
OR, in lieu of a bachelor’s degree, a high school diploma or equivalent and a minimum of twelve (12) years of professional technical experience in the same fields, which includes:
Professional experience with the development, integration, or sustainment of Hardware-in-the-Loop (HWIL) systems, real-time simulation environments, or industrial control systems (ICS).
Experience with configuration management and troubleshooting of hardware and software within a laboratory or test facility.
Must be able to obtain and maintain an active security clearance and maintain authorized user access to the AEDC local area network.
U.S. Citizenship is required due to federal government contract compliance requirements and the necessity to access secure federal databases and networks on Arnold Air Force Base.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and/or simulation environments.
Background in a DoD, aerospace, or industrial test/R&D facility.
Direct experience with Data Acquisition Systems (DAS/DAQ), instrumentation setup, and high-speed data capture.
Experience with Python to support automation activities, especially the Pytest module.
Familiarity with test cell support, sensor calibration, or wind tunnel test operations.
Membership or certification with the International Society of Automation (ISA).
Proficiency with engineering software and simulation tools (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink).
Strong interpersonal communication skills and the ability to interface effectively with engineers, technicians, and government oversight personnel.
Active DoD Secret Security Clearance.

Responsibilities

Maintain a stable, structured environment for plant simulation, development, and checkout activities for facilities such as the Engine Test Facility (ETF), Propulsion Wind Tunnel (PWT), and Aerodynamic and Propulsion Test Unit (APTU).
Work with HWIL users to troubleshoot the simulation environment.
Lead Lab Configuration Management, ensuring all hardware, software, and simulation models are under strict revision control.
Direct and prepare lab configurations for testing and validation, including pre-test mission evaluations to ensure readiness.
Serve as the primary interface with System Administrators, Modeling and Controls SMEs, Data SMEs, Control Systems Engineers, Facility Modeling Engineers, and software vendors (e.g., MathWorks) to support simulation, development, and issue resolution.
Oversee and drive key lab modernization initiatives, including reflective memory replacement, automated regression testing, authoring the next generation of High-Speed Digital Interface, and footprint consolidation, using software vendors as necessary.
Work with System Administrators to provide a consistent user experience by managing centralized services, including account management, security control, file servers, and simulation status monitoring.
Support the training of facility operators and systems engineers on new or revised control systems, contributing to the 'Safe Reliable Effective Operation' (SREO) initiative.
Maintain readiness for HWIL systems that have been deployed to test facilities
Maintain awareness of emerging technologies to identify and evaluate opportunities for improving the efficiency, performance, and reliability of deployed systems.
Perform other related duties as assigned.