Job Title: Entry-Level Hypersonics Test Operations Engineer                                  

Location: Arnold AFB, TN

Job Family Code: O--Engineering

Function/Branch: Engineering / Hypersonics

Directorate: Test Operations

Position Type: Regular, Full-Time

Pay Type: Exempt        

Grade (provided by HR): L06 (OA0618) - L07 (OA0713)

Salary Range or Starting Hourly Rate (provided by HR): $76,000 - $106,000 / year

****Current U.S. Citizenship is required****

**If you are seeing this posting on a job board, BNH highly recommends you apply directly on the Careers Center page of our business website (https://careers-bnh.icims.com/jobs). Job board applications are not always compatible with company applicant tracking systems.**

Overview

Beyond New Horizons, LLC (BNH) has an exciting opportunity for a Test Operations Engineer, supporting the Test Operations and Sustainment contract at Arnold Engineering Development Complex at Arnold Air Force Base, TN. The Test Operations Engineer will be working as a member of an integrated team responsible for operating and maintaining ground test facilities in support of the United States Air Force Test Operations and Sustainment efforts.

Open to internal or external candidates. The selected candidate for this requisition must be available to work any shift to support test needs as mission requires.

Job Summary

We are looking for Mechanical Engineers who want to work in a multi-disciplinary team that plays a key role in supporting national defense. The engineers hired into this role act as the “quarterback” in one of the control rooms responsible for planning and execution of test plans for testing. This position does require shift work to support testing as test load demands.

Our Test Operations Engineers provide technical direction for safe and reliable operation of test equipment and integration of a customer’s test article to an Arnold Engineering Development Complex test bed. This work involves practical application of engineering principles of mechanics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, hydraulics, pneumatics, and materials of construction. These principles are applied through the use of engineering tools including generating risk assessments, test plans, work instructions, and other engineering documentation in support of testing.

As part of a multi-disciplinary team, test operations engineers interface with other engineering teams across the complex including plant operations and systems, controls, instrumentation, design, facility data analysis, and modeling and simulation engineers as well as a cadre of skilled labor to ensure reliable operation and ability to meet future test needs.

Test Operations Engineers also provide system engineer capabilities as part of a team of mechanical and electrical engineers whose job it is to oversee installation, operation, sustainment, and troubleshooting of their assigned test cell equipment and systems. Some examples of test systems in various facilities include test carts, model positioning systems, thrust determination and force measurement systems, fuel systems, captive trajectory systems, various sensors, etc. that are needed to reliably provide test data to our customers.

Job Duties:

Under the direction of a more experienced engineer:

• Work as Test Operations Engineer for operation of test bed systems
• Work to develop the test operational requirements (test period directives, detailed run programs, etc.) ensuring test article mounts are structurally sound to withstand expected test
• Direct test system checkouts and testing as required
• Work with multidiscipline engineers, physicists, and skilled craft technicians in the test control room in operating the facility systems
• Learn and understand systems, requires the ability to respond quickly to alarms/alerts in fast paced, high pressure situations, ensuring the safety of the test crew, the facility, and the test article
• Respond when systems malfunction during a test, troubleshooting and directing corrective maintenance activities (or calling in the appropriate systems engineer for additional support)
• Coordinate work with the appropriate area superintendent, craft supervisor, and / or work planner and provide technical leadership to the craft workforce in execution of work orders and operational / maintenance procedures (work instructions, WIs), Lock-Out / Tag-Out (LOTO), critical lifts, etc
• Ensure proper test / operations reporting (Ops Center, test resumes, Operating Test Logs, Test Unit Status Logs, Test Article Activity Logs, unplanned event reporting, etc.)
• Perform facility characterization/ calibrations, monitor facility performance, and maintain system capability / performance maps and envelopes
• Test operations engineers also operate as system engineers for equipment within or directly providing support to the test bed facility and may engage in some small design and analysis tasks as needed
• Work extra hours and/or support off shift testing as required
• Communicate clearly and utilize various methods of communication
• It is a condition of employment to wear company issued PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) in accordance with supervisory direction and company policy
• Perform other related duties as required

Basic Qualifications:

• BS degree in mechanical engineering from an accredited college or university

NOTE: This posting is specifically for mechanical engineers with less than 5 years’ post degree engineering experience

• Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance and the AEDC local area network
• Due to Air Force Security requirements, U.S. Citizenship is required for employment at AEDC

Preferred Qualifications

• Practical application of technical knowledge of mechanical engineering systems, applications of engineering methods and construction methods and materials, and application of computer aided engineering (CAE)/computer aided design (CAD) tools to engineering problems
• Multi-disciplinary knowledge or experience (electrical engineering, mechatronics, control systems, etc.) is a plus.
• Ability to work in a dynamic environment with flexibility to accomplish mission objectives
• Strong communication skills (including verbal and written)
• Demonstrated experience successfully building relationships with team across engineering and craft workforce
• Strong organizational skills to track and facilitate progress on projects
• Demonstrated proactiveness and initiate to drive to results
• Exhibits strong level of technical curiosity and desire to seek understanding
• Participates in and fosters a work environment that is based upon openness, trust, communication, teamwork, empowerment, innovation, and satisfaction.
• Active Department of Defense Secret Security Clearance

What We Offer

• Competitive salaries
• Continuing education assistance
• Multiple healthcare benefits packages
• 401K with employer matching
• Paid time off (PTO) along with a federally recognized holiday schedule