Brandes Associates Inc

Systems Engineer

Brandes Associates Inc$145K — $160K *
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 10+ years of relevant experience in data analysis engineering
  • Proficient in Python for data processing and analysis scripting
  • Strong understanding of avionics, sensors, and electronic warfare
  • Experience with data synchronization from multi-source environments
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills for technical presentations

Responsibilities

  • Serve as the functional and engineering SME for electronic warfare and sensors
  • Analyze complex flight test and laboratory data
  • Develop Python-based automated data extraction and analysis pipelines
  • Evaluate performance metrics against system requirements and specifications
  • Create and present detailed reports and dashboards for stakeholders

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance coverage
  • 401(k) with company matching contributions
  • Professional development and training opportunities
  • Generous paid time off and holiday schedule
  • Flexible work arrangements including remote work options
Full Job Description
Overview

BAI, a defense contractor, is seeking a Senior Data Analysis Engineer with 10+ years of experience will be responsible for processing, reducing, analyzing, and evaluating ground laboratory and open-air flight test data for our expanding workforce supporting current and evolving contract, at Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) Naval Air Station (NAS) Point Mugu, CA.

Salary

The typical annual salary range for this position is $145,000.00 USD to $160,000.00 USD. Salary will be based on current qualifications, directly related experience, geographic location, and possible contractual requirements which could fall outside of this range.

Responsibilities

  1. Position Objective & Summary
  • Functional and Engineering SME in countermeasures, electronic warfare, software architecture and sensors
  • Serve as a Senior Data Analysis Engineer responsible for processing, reducing, analyzing, and evaluating ground laboratory and open-air flight test data
  • Develops automated Python-based data extraction and analysis pipelines to evaluate complex avionics systems, electronic warfare (EW) suites, and sensor packages.Analysis directly supports formal verification of system performance requirements and Key Performance Parameters (KPPs), culminating in executive-level presentations and decision-quality technical reports for program managers, test directors, and acquisition authorities


  1. Flight Test & Laboratory Data Reduction and Analysis (40%)
  • Ingests, time-synchronizes, and analyzes complex multi-source data collected from ground laboratories, hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL) facilities, installed system test facilities (ISTF), and live-fly open-air range missions
  • Evaluates Time-Space-Position Information (TSPI) derived from GPS, ground tracking radar, and optical assets, correlating truth data with onboard avionics recordings and telemetry streams
  • Decodes, processes, and analyzes high-throughput avionics digital data buses (e.g., MIL-STD-1553, ARINC 429, Ethernet, Fibre Channel, and IRIG 106 Chapter 10/11 formats)
  • Evaluates sensor performance, RF threat simulation logs, and emitter identification metrics in both simulated laboratory environments and dynamic flight conditions


  1. Analysis Tool Development & Automation (30%)
  • Architects, scripts, tests, and maintains specialized, automated data analysis tools and data reduction pipelines using Python (NumPy, Pandas, SciPy, Matplotlib, and associated libraries)
  • Builds automated routines for batch-processing raw flight records, identifying data anomalies, performing statistical analysis, and generating standardized verification metrics
  • Implements robust software configuration management practices (e.g., Git) and creates reusable modules to accelerate post-flight analysis across multiple test events


  1. Performance Verification, Reporting & Decision Support (20%)
  • Compares empirical test results against design specifications, system requirements, and interface control documents (ICDs) to identify deviations, anomalies, and performance trends
  • Formulates definitive, evidence-based recommendations regarding whether system under test satisfies technical specifications and operational readiness standards
  • Authors formal Test & Evaluation (T&E) reports, requirement verification matrices, deficiency reports (DRs), and technical memorandums


  1. Stakeholder Briefings & Mission Coordination (10%)
  • Translates dense telemetry and statistical findings into clear, executive-level presentations, visual dashboards, and briefing slides
  • Presents analytical findings to Test Directors, Flight Test Engineers (FTEs), Chief Test Pilots, and Program Executive Offices (PEOs) to support Go/No-Go and milestone acquisition decisions
  • Participates in pre-flight test readiness reviews (TRRs) and post-flight debriefs to establish data collection criteria and optimize test point execution


Qualifications

  • Over 10 years of experience performing the duties described in the functional description
  • Excellent technical communication and presentation skills, verbal and written, for briefing Test Directors, Flight Test Engineers, and Program Executive Offices
  • Ability to work independently, identifying root causes of system anomalies under dynamic operational conditions


Specialized Technical Experience
  • Mandatory Requirements:
    • Demonstrated professional experience analyzing flight test, range, or laboratory experimental data
    • Proficiency in developing custom data processing and analysis scripts in Python
    • Direct experience working with and correlating TSPI (Time-Space-Position Information) truth data against system data
    • Demonstrated capability to decode, parse, and analyze digital avionics bus architectures and telemetry logs
    • Experience evaluating system response to threat simulation environments and simulated emitter scenarios
  • Highly Desirable Experience:
    • Direct domain experience conducting performance analysis on Radar Warning Receivers (RWR), Electronic Support Measures (ESM), or Electronic Warfare (EW) suites
    • Direct experience performing performance analysis on RADAR systems (AESA, Pulse Doppler, synthetic aperture radar)
    • Familiarity with IRIG 106 Chapter 10/11 data standards and high-density RF threat generation platforms


Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities
  1. Avionics & Sensor Systems: Comprehensive knowledge of avionics architectures, radar theory, RF propagation, and signal processing principles to accurately assess sensor detection, tracking, and identification performance
  2. Data Science & Programming: Advanced skills in Python scripting and data analysis packages for rapid parsing, transformation, and statistical modeling of large, multi-rate time-series datasets
  3. Range & Test Operations: Knowledge of test range instrumentation, TSPI tracking methods, telemetry acquisition, and ground lab simulation environments
  4. Analytical Reasoning & Problem Solving: Ability to identify root causes of system anomalies, evaluate signal-to-noise degradations, and isolate hardware/software failure modes under dynamic operational conditions
  5. Technical Communication & Presentation: Ability to synthesize complex statistical data into concise, high-impact graphical presentations and brief multi-disciplinary leadership teams to guide high-stakes acquisition decisions


Desired Experience
  • Direct domain experience conducting performance analysis on Radar Warning Receivers (RWR), Electronic Support Measures (ESM), or Electronic Warfare (EW) suites
  • Direct experience performing performance analysis on RADAR systems (AESA, Pulse Doppler, synthetic aperture radar)
  • Familiarity with IRIG 106 Chapter 10/11 data standards and high-density RF threat generation platforms


EDUCATION

Degree: MS or MA degree in Engineering or a relevant technical discipline such as Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, or a related STEM discipline.

Allowable Substitution: An additional 4 years of relevant work experience, with a bachelor's degree, may be substituted for a master's degree.

CLEARANCE

Condition of Employment: Applicant must have an active DoD Secret (SSBI-based investigation) Clearance. The applicants selected will be subject to a security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

CITIZENSHIP

The applicant must have US citizenship at the time of application.

About Brandes Associates Inc

Brandes Associates Inc is an engineering consulting firm that provides services to clients in the aerospace, defense, and transportation industries. The company was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in McLean, Virginia. Brandes Associates' services include systems engineering, software engineering, and test and evaluation. The company has worked on projects such as the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and the International Space Station.
Learn more about Brandes Associates Inc
Size
50 employees
Industry
Net Income
$1 million
Founded
1989
5 Year Trend
+20%
Revenue
$10 million

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