Job Description

SAIC is seeking a Senior Human Performance Engineer to support our TENCAP (Tactical Exploitation of National Capabilities) HOPE 2.0 contract. This is an onsite position out of Randolph AFB in San Antonio, TX.

Target salary is $90-100k.

This is a unique and exciting opportunity for an expert in human performance with a strong data analysis background to join a dynamic, interdisciplinary team dedicated to enhancing and improving aviation training for the U.S. Air Force. This role merges cutting-edge research with applied human performance practices to push the boundaries of physical and mental optimization for U.S. Air Force aviators.

The successful candidate will apply their expertise in kinesiology, exercise physiology, psychology, and/or sociology to assess, test, and evaluate innovative technologies and methods focused on enhancing performance in tactical aviation and training environments. This role requires both independent work and collaboration. The role requires collaboration with a range of professionals, including IT engineers and other specialists, to create evidence-based solutions that blend academic insights with practical implementations. You must also be effective working independently in areas such as special projects and work that just needs to get done.

This role is a blend of applied practice and research, and you will be conducting applied practice in settings such as small group try outs, data collection and analysis, as well as collaborating with a cross-functional team. As a part of this role you will serve as the data analysis lead.

The position will also involve occasional travel to attend and present at conferences, support trade shows, and engage with industry opportunities related to human performance and the needs of the U.S. Air Force. These engagements are critical to fostering innovation, building partnerships, and disseminating findings to key stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead human performance research initiatives focused on improving U.S. Air Force aviation training.
• Organize and clean data sets to conduct data analysis.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, including IT Engineers and technical experts, to design, prototype, and test innovative solutions.
• Conduct assessments and evaluations of physical and mental performance for tactical athlete populations, with an emphasis on U.S. Air Force aviator training.
• Assist in planning and execution of research studies, including facilitating Institutional Review Board (IRB) approvals, and manage biometric data collection, analysis, and dissemination.
• Explore and apply the use of biometric data collection devices (e.g., wearables) to monitor and enhance performance.
• Apply strategies from kinesiology, exercise physiology, psychology, and sociology to develop holistic performance solutions for tactical populations.
• Evaluate research findings to improve program effectiveness and contribute to high-level decision-making on future training and performance enhancement initiatives.
• Serve as a subject matter expert in human performance research, advising on best practices and trends within the military aviation community.
• Present findings to stakeholders, publish research results, and contribute to academic and/or military innovation forums.

Skills:

• Ability to work independently and with an interdisciplinary, cross-functional team environment.
• Strong data collection and analytical skills, with the ability to derive practical recommendations from research findings.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for academic, technical, and operational audiences.
• A track record of innovation and creativity in applying human performance principles to real-world applications.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's and Six (6) or relevant years of experience in lieu of degree.
• Must be a US Citizen and ability to obtain an Secret Security Clearance.
• Experience:
  • Demonstrated expertise in human performance optimization, particularly for tactical athletes or military populations.
  • Experience with biometric data collection devices (e.g., wearable technologies).
  • Strong background in R, SPSS, and/or python, or similar analytic tools and techniques.
  • Proficiency in research design, data analysis, and publication, with a focus on applied human performance.
  • Familiarity with U.S. Air Force or other military aviation populations, training methods, and environments.
  • Strong understanding of research processes, including IRB protocols and compliance, and paper publication.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience working with tactical or elite athletes, military populations, or pilot training programs.
• Familiarity with aviation-specific physical and cognitive tasks, stressors, and requirements.
• Knowledge of advanced biometric technologies and analytics platforms.
• Previous experience applying findings from kinesiology and human performance research to improve operational or training outcomes in high-stakes environments.