Job Description:
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:
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Develop procedures for all mission phases
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Create Concepts of Operations (CONOPS)
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Develop Launch and Early Operations (LEOps) plans
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Conduct operational testing using simulators, virtual simulations, and flatsats
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Perform ground system testing, including operations acceptance, factory compatibility, and launch-base compatibility tests
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Support planning for mission operations centers, including facility layout and preparation
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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:
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Conduct on-orbit spacecraft operations and experimentation, including on-call support
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Support operations acceptance testing, including regression testing of new components/processes
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Develop vehicle fault detection and reporting systems
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Provide anomaly resolution and reporting support
Qualifications Required:
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15+ years of experience in aerospace engineering; recognized as a defense industry Subject Matter Expert (SME)
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Bachelors degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field
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Proven experience in integrating flight experiments including system design, test planning, execution, and post-flight analysis
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Strong understanding of aerospace systems, flight test operations, hardware/software integration, telemetry, and mission-critical systems
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Demonstrated experience in anomaly investigation and resolution, root cause analysis, and corrective action
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Familiarity with aerospace and defense industry standards and best practices for flight testing and system integration
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Expertise in systems engineering principles, including requirements definition, validation, and verification
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Active DoD Top Secret security clearance with SCI eligibility (U.S. Citizenship required)
Qualifications Desired:
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Masters degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field