Sr. Test Engineer (TS / SCI clearance required / aviation / aircraft experience

Join the Vanguard of Air Force Innovation with Phalanx Griffon (PG)  Phalanx Griffon represents the U.S. Air Force’s cutting-edge airborne communications hub, enabling warfighters to access high-quality, mission-critical data across the Department of the Air Force (DAF) BATTLE NETWORK. As a Senior Test Engineer, you will design and lead comprehensive test strategies for Major Release 2 (FY25–27), ensuring seamless progression from lab integration to full operational deployment across multiple aircraft platforms.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Planning & Test Architecture

Develop the program-wide Test & Evaluation Master Plan (TEMP), linking Nomad hardware, Smith software, and Watch operational support to CJADC2 mission requirements and MR2 exit standards.

Establish Developmental and Operational Test (DT / OT) entry and exit criteria, traceability matrices, and define schedule-driven milestone metrics aligned with the Integrated Master Schedule.

System Integration Lab (SIL) Oversight

Architect SIL environments that replicate platform-level power, environmental, and data interfaces.

Manage daily operations including configuration control, cybersecurity compliance, and lab accreditation.

Deploy automated regression testing pipelines using tools like Python, Robot Framework, Jenkins, Ansible, and IXIA / Spirent, covering functionality, performance, and cyber hardening.

Flight and Ground Test Execution

Lead both ground-based and airborne testing efforts by creating test cards, conducting hazard assessments, and developing IATTs and Safety of Flight documentation.

Serve as lead test engineer during flight or as ground test conductor—monitoring telemetry, collecting logs and spectrum data, and resolving issues in real time.

Data Analysis & Mission Reporting

Conduct analytical evaluations on throughput, latency, cryptographic handshake performance, Size, Weight, Power, and Cooling (SWaP-C) impacts, and mission effectiveness.

Deliver detailed post-test documentation including After Action Reports, Deficiency Reports (DRs), and corrective action plans for Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) and USAF leadership.

DevSecOps & Continuous Integration

Embed test automation into the DevSecOps lifecycle; verify each Smith software build meets gated SIL criteria on a 90-day cycle.

Promote a “shift-left” testing paradigm by integrating early verification steps into design reviews and model-based engineering workflows.

Team Development & Cross-Agency Collaboration

Mentor junior engineers, support test reps across platform System Program Offices (SPOs), and provide guidance to government civilian personnel in test and evaluation best practices.

Partner with NSA, DISA, and flight safety authorities to ensure testing complies with certification standards such as ATOs, cryptographic validation, and airworthiness requirements.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements

U.S. Citizenship required due to sensitive government engagements.

Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) in Aerospace, Electrical, or Computer Engineering (Master’s preferred).

Minimum 15 years of experience in defense systems test engineering, spanning lab verification through to flight test.

Active TS / SCI clearance.

Demonstrated leadership in complex DT / OT campaigns for avionics, communications, or command and control systems.

Expertise with automated test tools, data visualization platforms (MATLAB, Pandas, JMP), and instrumentation.

Preferred Experience

Familiarity with programs such as ABMS, CJADC2, OMS / UCI, and tactical data links.

Knowledge of Type 1 encryption, cross-domain systems, and RMF / eMASS compliance.

Recognized flight test credentials (e.g., USAF TPS graduate, FAA DER).

Agile, Scrum, or SAFe certification; experience in model-based testing (MBSE).