Flight Test Director

SAIC; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

SAIC is seeking a highly experienced Flight Test Director to support the NSWC Crane MACH‑TB Test Execution Team. The role oversees mission planning and execution for hypersonic flight tests and directs multi-disciplinary teams to achieve critical objectives in a dynamic defense environment.

The ideal candidate has extensive flight test operations experience, strong leadership, and a track record of delivering complex campaigns with distributed assets.

Qualifications

• BS in Engineering with 9+ years of DoD flight test experience or MS with 7+ years.
• Interim Secret clearance with ability to obtain TS/SCI.
• 7+ years in flight test planning, management, and execution within the DoD.
• Experience as Mission Test Director or equivalent overseeing multi-phase campaigns.
• Expertise in authoring mission-critical documents such as checklists, constraints, and risk plans.
• Skilled in leading cross-functional teams and collaboration with government organizations and external agencies.
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex problems under high pressure; knowledge of hypersonic systems.
• DAU Certifications: Practitioner Level, Level II, Level I.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight for hypersonic flight test operations with MET and external stakeholders.
• Plan, coordinate, and execute multi-phase hypersonic test campaigns; manage risks and resources.
• Prepare and execute mission-critical docs: checklists, constraints docs, launch briefings, communications matrices, test plans.
• Direct on-site cross-functional teams during test execution at various facilities.
• Develop strategies for robust system integration and synchronized assets.
• Chair working groups, support console training, and readiness briefings for test personnel.
• Adjudicate on-site observations, mitigate risks, ensure data supports evaluation and readiness.
• Mentor junior engineers and early-career staff through direct guidance.

Skills

Flight test planning

Team leadership

DoD procedures

Risk analysis

Documentation

Cross-functional teamwork

Mission execution

Hypersonic systems

DAU Certifications

Education

Bachelor's in Engineering

Master's in Engineering

Job description

SAIC is seeking highly experienced Flight Test Director to support the NSWC Crane Multi‑Service Advanced Capabilities Hypersonic Test Bed (MACH‑TB) Test Execution Team. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in executing hypersonic flight test missions, overseeing mission planning and execution, and directing multi‑disciplinary teams to accomplish high‑stakes objectives in a dynamic environment. The ideal candidate will leverage their extensive experience in flight test operations, team leadership, and mission execution within the defense industry.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight for hypersonic flight test operations, ensuring preparedness and effective collaboration among Mission Execution Team (MET) members, including stakeholders such as NSWC Crane, combatant commands, DOT&E, and other external agencies.
• Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of complex, multi‑phase hypersonic test campaigns, including action item management, resource allocation, risk analysis, and contingency planning.
• Prepare and execute mission‑critical documentation, including Checklists, Test Constraints Documents, Launch Decision Briefings, Communications Matrices, and Test Plans, to support mission walk‑up activities.
• Direct cross‑functional teams on‑site during test execution at various test facilities, ensuring successful completion of planned objectives even under compressed timelines and challenging circumstances.
• Develop strategies for robust system integration, ensuring distributed assets are synchronized and meet system performance benchmarks.
• Chair working group sessions, support on console training, and conduct readiness briefings to prepare test personnel.
• Adjudicate on‑site test observations, mitigating risks, and ensuring data collection supports robust system evaluation and operational readiness assessments.
• Mentor and train junior test engineers, technical personnel, and early‑career professionals, fostering knowledge transfer and skill‑building through direct guidance and oversight.

Qualifications

• Bachelors in an Engineering Discipline and nine (9) years of experience or Masters and seven (7) years of experience.
• Interim Secret clearance required with ability to obtain TS/SCI.
• 7+ years of experience in flight test planning, management, and execution within the Department of Defense (DoD).
• Demonstrated experience as a Mission Test Director or equivalent with a proven record of success in overseeing and directing test missions, including multi‑phase campaigns with distributed assets.
• Expertise in authoring mission‑critical documents such as execution checklists, test constraints, and risk mitigation plans.
• Skilled in leading cross‑functional teams and collaboration with key stakeholders, including government organizations, combatant commands, and external agencies.
• Recognized ability to solve complex problems autonomously while maintaining composure under high‑pressure scenarios.
• Strong understanding of hypersonic systems, missile defense, and related test architectures.
• Defense Acquisition University (DAU) Certifications:
  • Practitioner Level Certification in Test & Evaluation
  • Level II – Test & Evaluation
  • Level I – Systems Engineering

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience with the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), particularly as part of the Flight Test Directorate.
• Knowledge of hypersonic test beds, including MACH‑TB systems or equivalent advanced defense platforms.
• Familiarity with Wallops, Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) and other test sites.
• Hands‑on experience with integrating and evaluating high‑risk defense systems, including large‑scale multi‑stakeholder test campaigns.