Senior Flight Test Engineer

Astrion•Bedford, MA

8h•Hybrid

About The Position

Astrion is seeking a Senior Flight Test Engineer to support the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center/ISR SOF (AFLCMC/HB), specifically the FMS Division supporting the Japan Self Defense Air Force AWACS (E-3) program. The role supports the International Airborne Battle Management Command and Control FMS Division and its work across geographically dispersed CONUS and OCONUS locations. The position is based at Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts, and is described as full-time and hybrid. The position is contingent upon position award, requires an active Secret clearance, and involves approximately 20% travel, including travel to Japan, Oklahoma, and San Antonio. The engineer supports the full test and evaluation lifecycle for the Japan E-3 aircraft and associated ground and training systems. Responsibilities span test planning, coordination, execution, analysis, reporting, and acquisition decision support, including integrated flight testing and aircraft software and hardware upgrades. The engineer works with prime contractors, government test organizations, program offices, operational users, and coalition and allied partners, and may oversee less senior staff or the work of staff assigned to a specific job.

Requirements

Must hold an active Secret clearance.
Preferred education and experience: bachelor's degree and at least 12 years of experience, including at least 5 years supporting DoD programs; alternatively, 15 years of experience, including at least 8 years supporting DoD programs.
Extensive experience supporting the full Test & Evaluation lifecycle, from test planning and design through execution, analysis, reporting, and acquisition decision support.
Expertise in flight test engineering, including developing test objectives, measures of effectiveness, measures of performance, test scenarios, and mission execution plans.
Proficiency planning and coordinating contractor and government developmental and operational test activities for complex aircraft, mission systems, and supporting ground-based systems.
Strong background in integrated aircraft testing, including software and hardware upgrades, system integration, verification, validation, and performance evaluation.
Experience developing and reviewing test plans, procedures, run cards, safety documentation, technical reviews, and test readiness review artifacts.
Skill in test data analysis, real-time assessment of test results, issue identification, root cause analysis, and recommending corrective actions.
Knowledge of Air Force and DoD test organizations and acquisition processes, and experience collaborating with stakeholders such as AFOTEC, the 96th Test Wing, program offices, contractors, and coalition partners.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present technical findings, brief senior leaders, and facilitate test-planning discussions.
Ability to collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams, operational users, government organizations, industry partners, and international stakeholders.
Self-motivated and proactive, with the ability to independently manage high-visibility, mission-critical projects and test activities.
Demonstrated leadership through influence and ability to align diverse stakeholders while navigating technical and programmatic challenges.
Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, including the ability to evaluate risks, resolve test issues, and support informed decision-making.
Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to coordinate concurrent test efforts while maintaining schedule, safety, and mission objectives.
Adaptable, mission-focused, professional, and able to work effectively in dynamic flight test and operational environments.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree and at least 12 years of experience, including at least 5 years supporting DoD programs; alternatively, 15 years of experience, including at least 8 years supporting DoD programs.

Responsibilities

Understand and apply the end-to-end test process used to support acquisition, fielding, and employment decisions.
Assist the prime contractor in designing, planning, coordinating, executing, and reporting on high-priority tests for the Japan E-3 aircraft and associated ground and training systems.
Coordinate preparation and execution of contractor and government Test & Evaluation plans and procedures in accordance with established test methodologies.
Work with the prime contractor and multidisciplinary teams to develop test plans and route documentation through approval, including safety and technical reviews.
Coordinate with test organizations through test-planning meetings, technical interchange meetings, and system design reviews to plan and execute test missions involving the E-3 platform and software integration labs.
Provide test-planning support to establish test objectives, measures of effectiveness, and measures of performance.
Develop test scenarios that specify maneuvers and conditions for collecting data while meeting test objectives safely.
Support the development and review of test run cards, participate in test readiness reviews, and conduct real-time quick-look evaluations of test results.
Analyze, identify, and evaluate issues; coordinate recommendations to resolve substantive and critical problems.
Support integrated flight testing, including system integration and aircraft software and hardware upgrades.
Provide engineering analysis support, including long-range planning, documentation preparation, technical project planning, presentation preparation and delivery, and general project engineering support.
Provide test engineering expertise to the program office, AFOTEC, the 96th Test Wing and 96th Operations Group, other Air Force and joint agencies, and coalition and allied military organizations for command, control, and information communication systems development.
Independently perform functional duties on high-visibility or mission-critical program aspects.
May oversee less senior staff and/or be responsible for staff assigned to a specific job.
Travel occasionally, including internationally.