Basic Flight Test Engineer

Astrion; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Astrion in Huntsville, Alabama is seeking a Flight Test Engineer to support the Missile Defense Agency's Flight Test Directorate. This full-time role requires a BS in Engineering or equivalent experience, along with strong communication skills and the ability to thrive in fast-paced environments.

The role involves assisting with flight test events, developing mission documentation, and providing support at deployed locations. The ideal candidate should be eligible for a Secret security clearance and demonstrate proficiency in MS Office.

Qualifications

• 5 years relevant experience may substitute for educational requirements.
• Eligibility for Secret security clearance is necessary.
• Experience in a high tempo work environment is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide programmatic support to the Missile Defense Agency.
• Assist in coordination and execution of mission flight test events.
• Develop executive level briefings for senior reviews.

Skills

Strong oral and written communication skills

Proficiency with MS Office suite

Ability to work in a dynamic fast-paced team environment

Self-starter

Education

BS in Engineering or equivalent technical field

Job description

Overview

Astrion is seeking a basic level Flight Test Engineer to support Missile Defense Agency's (MDA) Director of Test (DT) Flight Test Directorate (DTF). At Astrion, we are at the forefront of new missile defense technologies and support MDA’s rigorous operational and developmental testing. This exciting, rewarding work helps guarantee the security of the United States and our Allies. Join a professional team of highly qualified engineers, analysts, scientists, and technicians supporting the research, development, testing, and evaluation of the missile defense system whose purpose is to detect, track, engage, and destroy adversary missiles.

Flight Test Engineer

Job Location: Huntsville, Alabama
Job Status: Full Time
Clearance: Secret
Travel: As Needed

Your Typical Day

Our MDA engineers work in modern, well-appointed government facilities on Redstone Arsenal located in Huntsville, Alabama. Huntsville, known as Rocket City, USA, is the hub of missile and space operations, research and development. You will collaborate with other missile defense experts – military, government civilians, and contractors from Astrion and other companies. Our team of experts helps the Government manage planning, development, analysis and delivery of state‑of‑the‑art sensors, weapons, communications, and command/control systems. You will be part of the team that conducts successful intercepts of target missiles by one of our Missile Defense System (MDS) weapon systems.

Required Qualifications / Skills

• BS in Engineering or technical field pertinent to the position being filled. 5 years relevant experience may be substituted for the BA/BS degree requirement. No direct experience required.
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain at least a Secret security clearance.
• Motivated self‑starter.
• Possess strong oral and written communication skills, and have the ability to work effectively in a dynamic fast‑paced, professional team environment with the ability to adjust/react to short notice requirements; ability to speak in meetings and to MDA leadership.
• Demonstrated skills in a high tempo work environment.
• Ability to follow established processes and procedures to solve routine test planning, integration, execution, and analysis problems.
• Proficient with the MS Office suite of tools.

Preferred Qualifications / Skills

• Knowledge of MDA test planning, processes and execution.
• Knowledge of Missile Defense System components and system‑level topics.
• Capable of working as a team member to solve engineering problems to solve test planning, integration, execution, and analysis problems.

Responsibilities

The Flight Test Engineer will provide programmatic, technical, and analytical support to the Missile Defense Agency, Director for Flight Test Integrated Execution (DTFI). The position requires a quick learner who can support Advanced and Intermediate Analysts and Engineers by developing and coordinating mission support documentation, executive/technical briefings and other administrative tasks. Travel is required (20+ % of travel required and may include overseas locations).

Key Responsibilities Will Include

• Assist with coordination, integration, and execution across all phases of mission flight test events.
• Assist in product development of mission planning, readiness and execution support documentation.
• Prepare decision‑quality materials such as executive level briefings and supporting documentation (white papers, fact sheets, status reports, progress reports, and information papers) for senior level reviews and mission milestone decision meetings.
• Assist with the development of planning meetings, MDA technical reviews, and other meetings, as directed.
• Provide on‑site support to System Mission Managers (SMM) or Mission Test Directors (MTD) at deployed locations for assigned flight test missions.
• Provide input for weekly test community meetings and working groups to include briefing charts and meeting attendance.
• Assist in the development of flight test / mission checklists that provide real time flight execution activities for various stakeholders.
• Support all phases of test planning, training and execution of Tier 1/2/3 test environments.
• Produce test procedures, (checklist) detailing time critical events supporting the Mission Countdown Events (CDE) and update mission documentation as calendar adjustments are scheduled.