Position Description
We are seeking an experienced Senior Staff Aerospace Engineer SME to support the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) / Integrated Experiments and Evaluation Division (RVE) in cradle-to-grave mission support.
Responsibilities include:
Flight Experiment Mission and Operations Planning:
Develop procedures for all mission phases
Create Concepts of Operations (CONOPS)
Develop Launch and Early Operations (LEOps) plans
Conduct operational testing using simulators, virtual simulations, and flatsats
Perform ground system testing, including operations acceptance, factory compatibility, and launch-base compatibility tests
Support planning for mission operations centers, including facility layout and preparation
Participate in day-in-the-life events, exercises, rehearsals, and mission dress rehearsals in roles such as operator, systems expert, or mission planner
Flight Operations Support:
Conduct on-orbit spacecraft operations and experimentation, including on-call support
Support operations acceptance testing, including regression testing of new components/processes
Develop vehicle fault detection and reporting systems
Provide anomaly resolution and reporting support
Qualifications Required:
15+ years of experience in aerospace engineering; recognized as a defense industry Subject Matter Expert (SME)
Bachelors degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field
Proven experience in integrating flight experiments including system design, test planning, execution, and post-flight analysis
Strong understanding of aerospace systems, flight test operations, hardware/software integration, telemetry, and mission-critical systems
Demonstrated experience in anomaly investigation and resolution, root cause analysis, and corrective action
Familiarity with aerospace and defense industry standards and best practices for flight testing and system integration
Expertise in systems engineering principles, including requirements definition, validation, and verification
Active DoD Top Secret security clearance with SCI eligibility (U.S. Citizenship required)
Qualifications Desired:
Masters degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field