Theater-Based Flight/Ground Test Engineer

Astrion•Huntsville, AL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Astrion is hiring a Theater-Based Flight/Ground Test Engineer to support the Missile Defense Agency’s Theater-Based Defense Directorate (TB), THAAD Test (TBTT) division at the Von Braun Complex on Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. The role supports research, development, testing, and evaluation of missile defense systems, including THAAD, in laboratory, training, simulated, and live test environments. It covers test-event planning and execution, system integration and readiness, operational support, analysis, reporting, and continuous improvement. The position requires eligibility to obtain and maintain at least a Secret security clearance and travel of up to 20%.

Requirements

Master’s degree in a related engineering field; a bachelor’s degree with five additional years of relevant experience may substitute for the master’s degree.
10 years of recent relevant experience.
Eligibility to obtain and maintain at least a Secret security clearance.
Experience working in a fast-paced, professional team environment and adapting to short-notice requirement changes, deadlines, changing schedules, competing priorities, and unpredictable events.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Willingness to travel up to 20% of the time.

Nice To Haves

Understanding of systems engineering processes from requirements development through verification and testing.
Familiarity with Missile Defense Agency program objectives.
In-depth knowledge of Missile Defense System capabilities, components, and system-level topics.
Knowledge of MDA test planning, processes, and execution.
Experience developing test plans such as a Test Evaluation Master Plan (TEMP) or Integrated Master Test Plan (IMTP) for a major defense acquisition program.
Experience planning test events in a resource-constrained environment.
Experience with cybersecurity test planning.
Hardware-in-the-loop test experience.
Experience developing briefings for senior leadership.
Recent experience with development of THAAD hardware and software components.
Experience modeling threat ballistic missiles or analyzing threat data using one or more of AutoCAD, LabVIEW, MS Office, DEWEsoft, or Python.
Proficiency with Windows-based PC software such as Word, PowerPoint, Excel, MS Project, and MS Teams.

Responsibilities

Support system readiness, software validation, and personnel training in the laboratory environment.
Monitor systems to identify deficiencies, document issues, and recommend practical fixes.
Develop and present briefings for visiting VIPs on the operational use and strategic impact of RISTS within the WG&E ecosystem.
Manage end-to-end execution of flight tests, wargames, and exercises, from scenario design through post-event analysis.
Design realistic wargame scenarios, including defining objectives and managing logistical parameters.
Use Warfighter information to build high-fidelity digital representations of the THAAD weapons system, battle plans, and flight-test scenarios.
Integrate RISTS into the broader BMDS architecture.
Instruct military audiences on threat tactics, system capabilities, and employment methodologies.
Manage and operate simulation systems during operational execution and conduct real-time assessments of simulated engagements.
Analyze and report event outcomes.
Provide downrange support for THAAD flight tests.
Develop step-by-step process flows and product enhancements across mission areas, and apply protected-information criteria, lessons learned, and applicable DoD/MDA directives.
Support integration, checkout, and delivery of THAAD battery equipment, including Element Integration and Checkout (EICO) at test ranges.
Support pre-test planning, test-document development, range coordination, site preparation, management reviews, test execution, data collection, and data transfer.
Coordinate with the THAAD Program Office and DE on TO memorandums, test scenarios, test requirements, and test-range logistics.
Support executive reviews and briefings on mission status, including remote-range CVTC participation and executive-level technical briefings.
Support Continuous Development Integration (CDI) activities for the THAAD Ground Test Directorate (THTG).
Review and provide input to MDA Test Objective Memorandums (TOM), Operational Tasking Link (OPTASKLINK), and Event Communications Baseline (ECB).
Support MDA Ground Test Directorate (DTG) executive and Integrated Test Team (IETT) reviews.
Develop inputs to MDA Ground Test source material, including event Scenario Matrices (SM) and Scenario Design Reviews (SDR).
Develop Test Readiness Reviews (TRR) and brief the THAAD Weapon System Test (THT) Director.
Lead MDA and THAAD quality teams through the Certification Data Package (CDP) process to confirm modeling and simulation hardware/software readiness for testing.
Lead ground-test development phases from Element Standalone (ESA) through Test Case Integration (TCI) and Developmental/Operational Test Runs-for-Record (DT/OT RFR).
Coordinate with THAAD Warfighters regarding their roles, event scenarios, and TTP/PPR for MDA Ground Test events.
Observe laboratory modeling and simulation system performance and Warfighter interaction, and submit daily End-of-Day (EOD) reports during MDA Ground Test events RFR.
Develop Test Execution Reports (TER), including anomaly investigation and analysis, and formal System Test Observation (STO) status and reporting.