Senior Operations Engineer - NASA AFRC

American Systems•Edwards, CA

11d•Onsite

About The Position

AMERICAN SYSTEMS is seeking an Operations Engineer to support research and development efforts at NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center (AFRC) at Edwards AFB, California. The role provides technical leadership and hands-on engineering support across operations activities in an aerospace research environment, working alongside NASA and industry partners. The engineer supports manned and unmanned aircraft projects, including autonomous aircraft technologies and flight vehicle integration, and contributes to aircraft operations, flight testing, safety, research, and project execution. The position is onsite daily at NASA AFRC and follows a 9/80 schedule, with alternating Fridays off and core hours generally between 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Occasional local and longer-distance travel by car or commercial air is required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field.
At least 5 years of experience supporting flight test activities on Gulfstream aircraft.
Ability to work onsite daily at NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center.
Availability to work a 9/80 schedule, with alternating Fridays off and core hours generally between 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Ability to travel occasionally, both locally and longer distance, by car or commercial air.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Experience supporting airborne science payloads, research missions, or aircraft modification efforts.
Experience with LIDAR systems, optical payloads, sensor integration, or related airborne instrumentation.
Experience supporting Gulfstream platforms or comparable research aircraft fleets.
Experience with flight test planning, test card development, mission execution, and flight operations.
Experience with risk management practices, airworthiness certification requirements, and flight safety processes.

Responsibilities

Define and manage system requirements, risk, and integration strategies.
Support aircraft operations, modifications, maintenance planning, and troubleshooting.
Serve as Operations Engineer for AFRC manned and unmanned projects, including autonomous aircraft technologies and flight vehicle integration procedures across NASA and partner organizations.
Maintain aircraft configuration management, including manuals, directives, TCTOs, Airworthiness Directives, and Maintenance Directives.
Prepare and manage Certificates of Authorization (COAs).
Lead and support flight test planning, including test card development.
Participate in and lead Operations, Mission Rule, and Systems Safety Working Groups.
Develop procedures for assembling, installing, and integrating scientific instruments into NASA aircraft.
Analyze project objectives, develop execution plans, and support safety reviews, including hazard documentation, FMEA, and mitigation planning.
Review project instructions to confirm requirements, specifications, and objectives, and recommend solutions to technical issues.
Conduct and oversee system and component testing and research studies supporting performance improvements, development, and quality control.
Record and analyze test procedures, results, and data, and provide recommendations.
Serve as a technical lead and mentor for engineering teams and junior engineers.
Drive research and development initiatives supporting NASA aerospace advancements.
Lead Tech Briefs, risk assessments, and strategic planning for flight test programs.
Represent the Operations Engineering Branch during pre-mission deployments.
Mentor engineers in technical specialties, systems engineering, and project management.