Job Title: Facility Performance Engineer--Flight                         

Location: Arnold AFB, TN

Job Family Code: O--Engineering

Function/Branch: Engineering / Flight

Directorate: Test Operations

Position Type: Regular, Full-Time

Pay Type: Exempt        

Grade (provided by HR): L07 (OA0717) - L08 (OA0815)

Salary Range or Starting Hourly Rate (provided by HR): L07: $80,000 - $106,000; L08: $95,000 - $131,000 / year

Overview

Beyond New Horizons, LLC (BNH) has an exciting opportunity for a Facility Performance Engineer supporting the Test Operations and Sustainment contract at Arnold Engineering Development Complex at Arnold Air Force Base, TN in our wind tunnel branch. The Facility Performance 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 candidates only

Job Summary

AFacility Performance Engineerfor the Flight Branch Wind Tunnel Ground Test Facilities at theArnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC)plays a vital role in ensuring that some of the world's most sophisticated ground-test infrastructure operates at peak performance. Because these facilities must simulate extreme flight conditionsfrom subsonic speeds to hypersonic velocities exceeding Mach 12the engineering behind the facilities themselves is incredibly complex. Rather than focusing on the test article being tested, a Facility Performance Engineer focuses onthe wind tunnel itself as a high-performance system. The expectation is that the person in this role will become the expert in performance and operability of wind tunnel ground test facilities

Job Duties:

• Facility Modeling & Simulationmdash;Work with the Engineering Solutions team to develop and refine physics and statistically-based, thermodynamic and fluid dynamic computer models to analyze, predict and report how the tunnel, nozzle, diffuser, and air-supply systems behave under extreme test conditions
• Operational Optimizationmdash;Analyze test configurations to maximize run time, minimize the immense energy and utility footprints of the facilities, and establish optimal operating envelopes
• Flow Quality & Characterizationmdash;Ensure the wind tunnels test section(s) achieve well understood, highly uniform and precise flight conditions (such as specific Mach numbers, Reynolds numbers, temperatures, and pressures)
• Analysis & Trendingmdash;Conduct post-test data analysis and trending of facility operation and performance data to detect or characterize degradation in performance or other facility-induced anomalies. Provide requirements for instrumentation upgrades, data collection improvements, or other modifications to obtain the data required to perform the analyses and trending.
• Sustainment & Modernizationmdash;Identify technical deficiencies in the facility, conduct durability analyses on critical hardware (like nozzle throat materials or compressor blades) and champion efforts for system upgrades. Provide inputs and support requirements for development of facility upgrades, capital projects, and equipment upgrades that affect the wind tunnel as a high-performance system. Provide independent analysis of proposed designs and configuration changes that affect the wind tunnel as a high-performance system. Develop a strategic roadmap for the Wind Tunnel Ground Test Facilities that lays out a technology-based pathway to ensure the current wind tunnels or future wind tunnel designs can accommodate future customer technologies.
• It is the 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 aerospace or mechanical engineering from an accredited college or university
• L07: Minimum of 4 years of engineering experience in at least one wind tunnel facility
• L08: Minimum of 5 years of engineering experience in at least one wind tunnel facility
• Must be able to maintain 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

• Exhibits strong level of technical curiosity and desire to seek insight and understanding
• Demonstrated proactiveness and initiative to drive to results
• Strong foundational understanding of compressible fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, and heat transfer
• Capability of conducting post-event data analysis, performance trending, and utilizing physics-based or statistical computer models
• Proven ability to identify technical requirements and communicate complex analytical anomalies to a cross-functional engineering and operations team
• Demonstrated ability in preparing technical documentation, engineering reports, and technical papers
• 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