Mid-Career Test Operations Engineer - Propulsion

Job Title: Mid-Career Test Operations Engineer                                  

Location: Arnold AFB, TN

Job Family Code: O--Engineering

Function/Branch: Engineering / Propulsion

Directorate: Test Operations

Position Type: Regular, Full-Time

Pay Type: Exempt        

Sponsorship: Position Not Sponsored.            

Grade: L08 (OA0811) - L09 (OA0911)

Salary Range: Grade 08: $93,000 - $123,000; Grade 09: $109,000 - $146,000 / year

Overview

Beyond New Horizons, LLC (BNH) has an exciting opportunity for a Test Operations Engineer in our Propulsion Test Group, 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 in Propulsion responsible for operating and maintaining ground test facilities used for development and evaluation testing of propulsion systems such as turbojet and turbofan air breathing engines and ramjets 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 a Mechanical Engineer or Aerospace Engineer who wants to work in a multi-disciplinary team that plays a key role in supporting national defense. The engineer hired into this role acts 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 thrust determination and force measurement systems, fuel systems, icing systems, combustors, nozzles, water systems, gaseous nitrogen systems, hydraulic systems, lubrication oil systems, high pressure air systems, service air systems, liquid nitrogen systems, various sensors, etc. that are needed to reliably provide test data to our customers.

Job Duties:

• Learn and understand test systems; requires the ability to respond and make decisions 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 cell facility and may engage in some small design and analysis tasks as needed
• Operate assigned test cell systems effectively
• 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
• 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 or aerospace engineering from an accredited college or university
• Grade L08: A minimum of 5 years’ progressive and relevant engineering experience
• Grade L09: A minimum of 8 years’ progressive and relevant 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) and demonstrated ability to make decisions in a high pressure, time sensitive environment
• 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
• 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

Join our Team!

U.S. Citizenship is required. At this time BNH will not sponsor any applicants for employment authorization or offer any immigration related support for this position (i.e. H1b, F1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT, F-1 CPT, J-1, E-2, E-3, L-1, or other forms of work authorization that require immigration support from an employer).

The minimum and maximum full-time annual salaries for this role are listed below, by location. Please note that this salary information is solely for candidates hired to perform work within one of these locations and refers to the amount BNH is willing to pay at the time of this posting. Salaries for part-time jobs will be adjusted based upon the number of hours agreed to work.

Grade 08: $93,000 - $123,000; Grade 09: $109,000 - $146,000 / year at Arnold AFB, TN