Flight Test Director

Saic; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

SAIC seeks an experienced Flight Test Director to lead hypersonic test execution for the MACH-TB program. You will oversee mission planning, mitigate risks, and direct multidisciplinary teams across NSWC Crane and other agencies to achieve critical test objectives.

The role requires extensive flight test operations, leadership, and DoD program experience, with DAU certifications and an interim secret clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's in an engineering discipline with nine years of experience.
• Master's degree with seven years of experience.
• Interim Secret clearance required with ability to obtain TS/SCI.
• Experience in flight test planning, management, and execution within the DoD.
• DAU Certifications in Test & Evaluation and Systems Engineering are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight of hypersonic flight test operations and MET coordination with NSWC Crane and external agencies.
• Lead planning, coordination, and execution of complex multi-phase hypersonic test campaigns with risk management.
• Prepare and execute mission-critical docs: checklists, test constraints, launch briefs, matrices, and test plans.
• Direct cross-functional teams on-site during test execution at multiple facilities under tight deadlines.
• Develop strategies for robust system integration and synchronized distributed assets.
• Chair working groups, conduct console training, and readiness briefings for test personnel.
• Adjudicate on-site observations, mitigate risks, and ensure robust data collection for evaluation.
• Mentor and train junior test engineers and technical staff.

Skills

Leadership

Flight Test Operations

DoD Experience

Mission Planning

Risk Management

Education

Bachelor's in Engineering

Master's in Engineering

DAU Certifications: Test & Evaluation Practitioner

DAU Level II - Test & Evaluation

DAU Level I - Systems Engineering

Job description

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 as 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

Education and Experience:

• Bachelors in an Engineering Discipline and nine (9) years of experience or Masters and seven (7) years of experience.
• Defense Acquisition University (DAU) Certifications:
  • Practitioner Level Certification in Test & Evaluation
  • Level II - Test & Evaluation
  • Level I - Systems Engineering
• Interim Secret clearance required with ability to obtain TS/SCI.
• 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.

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.