Early Career Test Operations Engineer-Wind Tunnels

Overview:

Job Title: Early Career Test Operations Engineer - Wind Tunnels

Location: Arnold AFB, TN

Function/Branch: Engineering / Flight

Directorate: Test Operations

Position Type: Regular, Full-Time

Pay Type: Exempt

Grade: L06 (OA0614) - L07 (OA0713)

Salary Range: L06: $77,000 - $95,000; L07 $85,000 - $110,000 /year

Overview

Beyond New Horizons, LLC (BNH) has an exciting opportunity for a Test Operations Engineer supporting the Test Operations and Sustainment contract at Arnold Engineering Development Complex at Arnold Air Force Base, TN in our supersonic and hypersonic wind tunnel group operating three mid-sized continuous flow wind tunnels to provide high quality flow. The Test Operations 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 external candidates only. 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 Mechanical Engineers who want to work in a multi-disciplinary team that plays a key role in supporting national defense. The engineers hired into this role act 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 test carts, model positioning systems, thrust determination and force measurement systems, fuel systems, captive trajectory systems, various sensors, etc. that are needed to reliably provide test data to our customers.

Job Duties:

Under the direction of a more experienced engineer:

Work as Test Operations Engineer for operation of test bed systems.

Test operations engineers also operate as system engineers for equipment within or directly providing support to the test bed facility and may engage in some small design and analysis tasks as needed

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

Learn and understand systems, requires the ability to respond 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.

Being flexible to work extra hours or support off shift testing is 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:

L06: BS degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering from an accredited college or university

L07: BS degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering from an accredited college or university and a minimum of 2 years of experience.

NOTE: This posting is specifically for mechanical/aerospace engineers with less than 5 years’ post degree 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

Prior intern or co-op experience

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)

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 initiative to drive to results

Exhibits strong level of technical curiosity and desire to seek understanding

Participates in and fosters a work environment that is based upon openness, trust, communication, teamwork, empowerment, innovation, and satisfaction.

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

Who We Are

Beyond New Horizons (BNH) is a fully populated joint venture of Astrion and Fluor Federal Services, Inc. formed to provide unmatched Test Operations and Sustainment services for the Arnold Engineering Development Complex. We chose our name to serve as an enduring reminder of our commitment to AEDC’s rich aerospace research and development legacy anchored in AEDC’s Toward New Horizons founding study and the unprecedented opportunities to greatly AEDC’s capabilities and capacity Beyond those existing today. Leveraging the capabilities of our parent companies, BNH specializes in testing and evaluation for military and space systems combined with proven capability in large-scale Government program management, integration, engineering, and construction services for specialized and technically advanced high-hazard facilities.

Join our Team!