Flight Test Engineer, Senior - Secret

DCS Corporation; Bedford (MA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental plan

401k

ESOP

PTO

Education reimbursement

Job summary

DCS Corporation is seeking a Senior Flight Test Engineer to support the AFLCMC/HB ISR SOF portfolio and the FMS Division, including international collaboration. This full-time hybrid role at Hanscom AFB, MA focuses on end-to-end test planning, execution, and evaluation for complex aircraft and ground systems.

The role requires a DoD background, U.S. citizenship, and a Secret clearance, with extensive experience across T&E lifecycle and programmatic testing activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree plus 8 years of relevant experience, including 5 years supporting DoD.
• Must maintain a Secret clearance.
• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Experience in end-to-end Test & Evaluation lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Understand and apply end-to-end test process for acquisition, fielding, and decisions.
• Design, plan, coordinate, execute, and report high-priority tests for the Japan E-3 aircraft and associated ground/training systems.
• Coordinate test plans and evaluations according to established methodologies.
• Develop test plans, run cards, safety documentation, and readiness reviews.
• Provide test planning support for objectives, MOEs, and MOPs.
• Analyze test data and perform real-time evaluation of results.
• Support integrated flight testing and software/hardware upgrades.
• Lead or supervise junior staff and coordinate multiple concurrent test efforts.

Skills

T&E lifecycle

Flight test engineering

Test planning

Test data analysis

System integration

Safety documentation

Acquisition processes

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant field

Job description

DCS has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Flight Test Engineer providing support to the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center/ISR SOF (AFLCMC/HB). The Air Force Program Execution Office for Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Special Operations (PEO ISR SOF) has the collective Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) mission responsibility to manage and execute the modernization, development, testing, production, fielding, and sustainment of the ISR SOF portfolio, which includes over 200 programs for the United States Air Force (USAF) and foreign allies. AFLCMC/PEO ISR SOF is headquartered at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, OH with geographically separated operating units CONUS and OCONUS. This position supports the FMS Division (AWACS (E3)) supporting the Japan Self Defense Air Force, as part of the International Airborne Battle Management Command and Control (FMS) Division; AFLMC(WIW). The WIW Division located at Tinker AFB (OK), and Hanscom AFB (MA), with dispersed support at Eglin AFB, Seattle WA, San Antonio TX and several OCONUS positions.

This is a full-time Hybrid role at Hanscom AFB, MA.

Position Contingent Upon Position Award

Essential Job Functions

Duties include, but not limited to:

• Candidate will fully understand and have experience in the end-to-end test process used to support acquisition, fielding, and employment decisions.
• Assists prime contractor with designing, planning, coordinating, executing, and reporting on high-priority tests for the Japan E-3 aircraft and associated ground and training systems. Coordinates preparation and execution of Contractor and Government Test & Evaluation plans and procedures according to established test methodologies.
• Works with prime contractor and multi-discipline team to develop test plans and staffs paperwork through the approval process to include safety and technical reviews.
• Coordinates with multiple test organizations via test planning meetings, technical interchange meetings, and system design reviews, to plan and execute test missions involving the E3 platform and software integration labs.
• Provides test planning support to determine test objectives, measures of effectiveness, and measures of performance.
• Develops test scenarios to define maneuvers and conditions for which data is to be obtained in order to meet test objectives in a safe manner.
• Provides support to develop and review test run cards, participates in test readiness reviews, and conducts real-time quick-look evaluation of test results.
• Analyzes, identifies, and evaluates issues and coordinates recommendations to resolve substantive and critical problems and issues.
• Supports integrated flight testing such as system integration, aircraft software and hardware upgrades.
• Provides engineering analysis-related activities such as long range planning and documentation preparation, technical project planning, presentation preparation and delivery, and general project engineering support.
• Provides Test Engineer expertise to the program office, AFOTEC, the 96TW and 96OG, other AF and joint agencies, and coalition and allied nation military organizations for command, control and information communication systems developments.
• Typically works on high-visibility or mission critical aspects of a given program and performs all functional duties independently.
• May oversee the efforts of less senior staff and/or be responsible for the efforts of all staff assigned to a specific job.
• Occasional travel, including international travel, will be required.

Position Contingent Upon Position Award

Required Skills

Due to the sensitivity of customer related requirements, U.S. Citizenship is required.

Bachelor's degree plus 8 years of relevant experience, 5 of those years supporting the DoD.

Must have and be able to maintain a Secret clearance.

Desired Skills

Bachelor's degree, and minimum of 12 years of experience, including at least 5 years supporting DoD programs, OR 15 years of experience, including at least 8 years supporting DoD programs.

Technical Skills

• Extensive experience supporting the full Test & Evaluation (T&E) lifecycle, from test planning and design through execution, analysis, reporting, and acquisition decision support.
• Expertise in flight test engineering, including development of test objectives, measures of effectiveness (MOEs), measures of performance (MOPs), test scenarios, and mission execution plans.
• Proficient in planning and coordinating contractor and government developmental and operational test activities for complex aircraft, mission systems, and supporting ground-based systems.
• Strong background in integrated aircraft testing, including software and hardware upgrades, system integration, verification, validation, and performance evaluation.
• Experience developing and reviewing test plans, procedures, run cards, safety documentation, technical reviews, and test readiness review artifacts.
• Skilled in test data analysis, real-time assessment of test results, issue identification, root cause analysis, and recommendation of corrective actions.
• Knowledge of Air Force and DoD test organizations, acquisition processes, and collaboration with stakeholders including AFOTEC, 96th Test Wing, program offices, contractors, and coalition partners.

Interpersonal Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly present technical findings, brief senior leaders, and facilitate test planning discussions.
• Strong collaborator who excels at working with cross-functional engineering teams, operational users, government organizations, industry partners, and international stakeholders.
• Self-motivated and proactive professional capable of independently managing high-visibility, mission-critical projects and test activities.
• Demonstrated leadership through influence, fostering alignment among diverse stakeholders while navigating complex technical and programmatic challenges.
• Exceptional problem-solving and critical-thinking skills with the ability to evaluate risks, resolve test issues, and support informed decision-making.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, capable of coordinating multiple concurrent test efforts while maintaining schedule, safety, and mission objectives.
• Adaptable and mission-focused team player with strong situational awareness, professionalism, and the ability to thrive in dynamic flight test and operational environments.

Pay Range and Benefits

There are a variety of factors that can influence salary at DCS Corp, including but not limited to, geographic location, Federal Government contract labor categories and wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, education, and certifications.

The proposed salary range for this position is:

Salary Range: $90,220 - $155,000

At DCS, we pride ourselves on providing flexibility that allows employees to balance meaningful work with their personal lives. We offer competitive compensation, benefits, and opportunities for learning and development.

Our broad and competitive mix of benefits is designed to support and protect employees and their families. Our robust benefit offerings include medical, dental, 401k, ESOP, PTO, education reimbursement, work/life balance, parental and other leave programs.

Learn more about our benefits here: DCS Corp Benefits.