s Senior Test Engineer , you will architect and execute the end-to-end verification, validation, and flight-test strategy for Major Release -from bench-level checkout in the Integration SIL to operational acceptance on multiple aircraft.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS :
Strategy & Planning :
- Build the Program-level Test & Evaluation Master Plan (TEMP) that links Nomad hardware, Smith software, and Watch ops-support elements to CJADC2 mission threads and MR 2 exit criteria.
- Define DT / OT entrance & exit gates, traceability matrices, and milestone metrics within the Integrated Master Schedule.
System Integration Laboratory (SIL) Leadership :
Design lab architectures replicating platform power, data, and environmental interfaces; oversee daily ops, configuration control, and security accreditation.Implement automated regression suites (Python / Robot Framework, Jenkins, Ansible, IXIA / Spirent) covering functional, performance, and cyber-resilience tests.Developmental & Operational Test Execution :
Lead ground and flight-test events : draft test cards, hazard analyses, Interim Authorizations to Test (IATT) , and Safety-of-Flight packages.Serve as lead flight-test engineer or ground-test conductor, capturing telemetry, logs, and spectrum traces; troubleshoot anomalies in real time.Data Analysis & Reporting :
Perform statistical analysis of throughput, latency, crypto handshake times, SWaP-C impacts, and mission-effect metrics.Produce concise after-action reports, deficiency reports (DRs), and recommendations for corrective action to IPTs and senior USAF stakeholders.Continuous Integration / DevSecOps :
Integrate test automation hooks into the PG DevSecOps pipeline; ensure every 90-day Smith build passes gated SIL tests before promotion.Champion "shift-left" testing mindset-embedding verification earlier in design reviews and digital engineering artifacts.Mentorship & Collaboration :
Guide junior test engineers, platform SPO test reps, and Government civilians on best practices for agile T&E.Interface with NSA, DISA, and flight-safety authorities to align test artifacts with certification needs (ATO, crypto, airworthiness).Required Skills :
ctive TS / SCI clearance.B.S. in Aerospace, Electrical, Computer Engineering, or related discipline (M.S. a plus) and 15+ years of DoD system-of-systems test engineering, including lab-to-flight progression.Proven leadership of large-scale DT / OT efforts for avionics, communications, or C2 systems.Hands-on with test automation frameworks, instrumentation, and data-analysis tools (MATLAB, Pandas, JMP, or similar).Familiarity with MIL-STD-810 / 461, RCC 324 / 125-15, or comparable environmental and EMI / EMC standards.Desired Skills :
Previous work on ABMS, CJADC2, OMS / UCI, or tactical data-link programs.Experience with Type-1 crypto, cross-domain solutions, and RMF / eMASS artifacts.Flight-test credentials (USAF TPS grad, FAA DER, or equivalent).gile / Scrum or SAFe certification; knowledge of Model-Based Test (MBSE-driven test cases).