Aerospace Engineer (SME)

Joint Research and Development; Nellis Air Force Base Census-Designated Place (NV); On-site; USD 130,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life & Accident Insurance

Section 125 Flexible Spending Accounts

Disability Insurance

401K Plan

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

Joint Research and Development (JRAD) seeks an Aerospace Engineer (Subject Matter Expert) to support AFOTEC Detachment 6 at Nellis AFB, NV. You will serve as the technical authority on fighter aircraft OT&E, guiding analyses, evaluation strategies, and cross‑team integration.

Responsibilities include leading complex assessments, correlating flight test data with models, advising leadership, and directing multidisciplinary efforts across engineering, operations research, and test teams.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field.
• 20+ years of relevant aerospace engineering experience.
• Experience supporting OT&E activities within AFOTEC or similar.
• Familiarity with fighter aircraft systems (e.g., F-35, F-16, F-15).
• Experience with JSE or other modeling/simulation environments.
• Proficiency in MATLAB, Simulink, Python for analysis and scripting.

Responsibilities

• Serve as principal technical authority on aerospace engineering for fighter aircraft OT&E.
• Lead development of advanced methodologies and evaluation approaches.
• Oversee high-level analyses of aircraft performance and system integration.
• Provide expert evaluation of subsystems including avionics, propulsion, sensors.
• Correlate flight test data with models and M&S outputs.
• Lead risk analyses to inform acquisition decisions and evaluations.
• Advise leadership on technical findings and actions.

Skills

Aerospace engineering expertise

Flight test

JSE modeling

MATLAB/Simulink

Python

Data visualization

Technical leadership

Operational Test & Evaluation

Engineering analysis

Education

Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Joint Simulation Environment (JSE)

MATLAB

Simulink

Python

Data visualization tools

Job description

JRAD is seeking candidates for an upcoming Aerospace Engineer (Subject Matter Expert) position supporting the U.S. Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center (AFOTEC), Detachment 6 (DET 6) - Fighter Test Services (FTS). This position is located at Nellis AFB, NV.

The Aerospace Engineer (Subject Matter Expert) serves as a recognized technical authority providing expert‑level aerospace engineering support to operational test and evaluation (OT&E) of fighter aircraft systems under the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center (AFOTEC) Detachment 6 Fighter Test Services contract.

Applies extensive knowledge of aeronautical engineering, aircraft systems, mission integration, and operational environments to lead complex technical analyses and evaluations. Provides authoritative guidance on aircraft performance, system integration, survivability, and mission effectiveness across live flight testing, distributed test environments, and the Joint Simulation Environment (JSE).

Establishes analytical frameworks, engineering methodologies, and evaluation strategies to support AFOTEC's independent assessment of system effectiveness and suitability. Advises senior government leadership and contractor management on critical technical issues, risks, and operational implications.

Roles / Responsibilities

• Serve as the principal technical authority on aerospace engineering matters related to fighter aircraft systems and operational test and evaluation
• Lead development of advanced engineering methodologies, analytical frameworks, and evaluation approaches for complex system assessments
• Oversee and perform high‑level analyses of aircraft performance, system integration, and mission effectiveness in operational environments
• Provide expert evaluation of aircraft subsystems, including avionics, propulsion, weapons systems, sensors, communications, and mission systems integration
• Direct correlation and validation efforts between flight test data, modeling and simulation (M&S) outputs, and operational performance results
• Lead technical assessments, trade studies, and risk analyses to inform acquisition decisions and operational evaluations
• Identify and resolve complex technical issues, anomalies, and performance deficiencies, and provide recommendations for mitigation or further investigation
• Advise government leadership on technical findings, implications, and recommended courses of action
• Provide technical oversight and guidance to senior, journeyman, and junior engineering personnel
• Lead multidisciplinary engineering efforts and ensure integration across engineering, operations research, intelligence, and test teams
• Support development and review of high‑level technical documentation, including evaluation reports, engineering assessments, and executive briefings
• Contribute to strategic planning, test design, and long‑term capability development initiatives
• Ensure compliance with engineering standards, safety requirements, and security protocols

Required Skills and Education

• Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline
• 20 or more years of relevant professional experience in aerospace engineering, flight test, aircraft systems analysis, or related technical fields
• Experience supporting operational test and evaluation (OT&E) activities within AFOTEC or similar test organizations
• Familiarity with fighter aircraft systems (e.g., F-35, F-16, F-15) and air combat operations
• Experience with Joint Simulation Environment (JSE) or other modeling and simulation environments
• Experience with advanced modeling and simulation, digital engineering, or mission-level analysis
• Familiarity with engineering analysis tools (e.g., MATLAB, Simulink), data analysis tools and programming languages (e.g., Python, MATLAB); modeling and simulation environments and tools; data visualization and reporting tools
• Demonstrated expertise in aerospace engineering principles applied to advanced aircraft systems and mission environments
• Extensive experience supporting operational test and evaluation (OT&E), flight test, or aircraft systems integration programs
• Experience leading complex technical analyses, modeling and simulation efforts, and engineering evaluations
• Experience providing technical leadership and guidance across multidisciplinary teams
• Experience advising senior leadership on technical issues, risks, and program decisions

Security Clearance

• Active Secret clearance required; Top Secret/SCI preferred

Benefits

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life & Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• Section 125 Flexible Spending Accounts for unreimbursed medical & dependent day care
• Disability Insurance
• 401K Plan
• Tuition Reimbursement

JRAD is an equal opportunity employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

The JRAD salary range for this position is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. There are many factors considered when determining the compensation provided in an offer. These factors include, but are not limited to position responsibilities, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and contract terms and conditions.