Sr Systems Development Engine Test Lead

GE Aerospace•Evendale, OH

About The Position

GE Aerospace’s Defense Engines & Services organization provides combat and trainer, rotorcraft, turboprop, mobility, and marine gas turbine engines and related services to the U.S. Armed Forces and its allies. The organization supports approximately 30,000 engines in the field. As part of the Small Uncrewed Engines (SUE) Development Systems Engineering Team, the Senior Engine Test Lead provides technical leadership for the test program supporting qualification and certification of the GE426 and GEK1500 propulsion systems. The role is the primary technical authority for engine test planning, preparation, execution, data analysis, and issue resolution, ensuring testing supports program objectives, produces high-quality data for design decisions, and demonstrates compliance with requirements. The position coordinates testing across GE Aerospace Evendale, KTT, Edwards AFB, Purdue University, and government test facilities. It leads test strategy and execution, manages facility and instrumentation readiness, and serves as the technical interface with KTT and other partners. It also leads test safety and risk management, cross-functional execution, and continuous improvement. Travel is approximately 25%.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline from an accredited university or college.
Minimum of 5 years of experience in engine testing.
Must be able to maintain a U.S. Government Security Clearance; U.S. citizenship is a prerequisite for a security clearance.
Must be able to demonstrate U.S. Person status as a U.S. lawful permanent resident, U.S. citizen, or person granted asylee or refugee status, because the role requires access to U.S. export-controlled information.
Legally authorized to work in the United States.
Successful completion of a drug screen, as applicable; employees may also be subject to random and reasonable-suspicion drug and alcohol testing.

Nice To Haves

Active U.S. government security clearance.
Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering or Mechanical Engineering.
10+ years of experience in propulsion system and turbomachinery testing, including leading Test Engineering programs.
Demonstrated experience leading engine test programs from planning through execution and data analysis.
Strong understanding of gas turbine engine operation, performance, and testing principles.
Experience with test instrumentation, data acquisition systems, and measurement techniques for propulsion systems.
Experience with small uncrewed engines, expendable propulsion systems, or limited-life engine applications.
Experience with Department of Defense weapon system testing and qualification.
Experience with military engine testing, including MIL-STD test requirements and procedures.
Knowledge of test facility design, test cell operations, and test safety protocols.
Experience with advanced instrumentation techniques, including high-speed data acquisition, optical measurements, and non-intrusive diagnostics.
Proficiency with data analysis tools and software such as MATLAB, Python, or equivalent.
Experience with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) or performance modeling to support test planning and data interpretation.
Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools such as CAMEO Systems Modeler.
Familiarity with GE Aerospace's FLIGHT DECK operating model.

Responsibilities

Lead end-to-end test strategy and execution for GE426 and GK1500 engine programs, including component, module, and full-engine testing; manage test planning, assembly, instrumentation, procedures, schedules, resource plans, and verification/validation support.
Coordinate multi-site test operations across GE Aerospace Evendale, KTT, Edwards AFB, Purdue University, and government test facilities, aligning test article delivery, facility readiness, instrumentation installation, test conduct, and post-test activities.
Serve as the primary technical interface with Kratos Turbine Technologies (KTT) and other partners for test-related activities, including integrated planning, readiness reviews, issue resolution, data sharing, and governance.
Manage readiness of test facilities, instrumentation, and enabling hardware by defining requirements for facilities, data acquisition systems, measurement capability, adapters, mounts, slave hardware, and assembly/build tooling; coordinate design, procurement, fabrication, calibration, and deployment.
Lead test data analysis, reporting, and technical problem solving; monitor data quality, identify anomalies, support root cause and corrective actions, and translate results into conclusions and recommendations for engineering, program leadership, customers, and stakeholders.
Own test safety, risk management, and operational discipline by leading hazard analyses, readiness reviews, go/no-go decisions, and incident follow-up, and ensure compliance with safety, environmental, quality, and operational standards across test sites.
Drive cross-functional execution and continuous improvement with systems, design, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and program management teams; improve efficiency and data quality, capture lessons learned, and establish standard work and Lean/FLIGHT DECK-based engine-testing practices.
Travel approximately 25%.