INTERNAL JOB POSTING - Test Operations Manager

Sierra Lobo; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland seeks a Test Operations Manager (TOM) to plan, organize, lead, and control resources across all test sites at Lewis Field or Armstrong facilities. You will supervise engineers and technicians, ensure safety, quality, and on-time delivery of test programs.

The role requires a BS in engineering and 10+ years of aerospace experience, with strong leadership, program management, and government contract exposure.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or equivalent is required.
• 10+ years of engineering experience in the aerospace industry with NASA exposure.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and managing programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead and direct supervisors, engineers, technicians, and support personnel for operations at all test sites.
• Ensure services meet work instructions, safety, quality, and budget constraints.
• Plan labor resources, recruit with HR, and organize project teams across facilities.
• Ensure timely data, deliverables, reports, and submittals.
• Implement Performance Evaluation processes and correctly classify SCA personnel.
• Monitor costs and schedules; adjust to keep tasks on time and within budgets.
• Drive continuous measurement, analysis, and improvement of contract performance.

Skills

Engineering leadership

Aerospace testing

Resource planning

Project management

Quality Assurance (ISO 9001)

Safety assurance

Cost and schedule control

Government contract management

Change management

Process improvement

Education

Bachelor of Science in Engineering

Job description

Overview

The Test Facilities Operation, Maintenance and Engineering (TFOME) team at the NASA Glenn Research Center provides engineering and technical services in the areas of aeropropulsion and space propulsion and power test facilities. TFOME management is dedicated to excellence in service and to providing outstanding technical opportunities for our employees. We specialize in providing unique products and services to NASA Glenn. We are currently seeking a Test Operations Manager (TOM) candidate to join our team thatwill be responsible for planning, organizing, leading, and controlling the allocated resources for all Test Sites at the designated facility (Lewis Field or Armstrong Test Facility). The Test Facilities Operation, Maintenance Contract (TFOME) is structured to provide operations, maintenance, and engineering support for operation of NASA GRC test facilities including wind tunnels, space test facilities, engine component labs, materials labs, electronics, microgravity research facilities, and fabricating and qualifying flight hardware. At Lewis Field, the TOM is also responsible for management of GRC’s Central Process Services.

Responsibilities

FUNCTION OF POSITION

The Test Operations Manager (TOM) will be responsible for planning, organizing, leading, and controlling the allocated resources for all Test Sites at the designated facility (Lewis Field or Armstrong Test Facility).The Test Facilities Operation, Maintenance Contract (TFOME) is structured to provide operations, maintenance, and engineering support for operation of NASA GRC test facilities including wind tunnels, space test facilities, engine component labs, materials labs, electronics, microgravity research facilities, and fabricating and qualifying flight hardware. At Lewis Field, the TOM is also responsible for management of GRC’s Central Process Services.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Test Operations Manager (TOM) is responsible for the following:1. Lead and direct supervisors, engineers, technicians, and support personnel for the successful and efficient operation of all test sites and support equipment at the designated facility.

2. Ensure that all services are completed in accordance with work instructions, procedures, safety requirements, quality assurance, and within established budgets and schedules.

3. Plan and identify required labor resources to meet requirements. Recruit and hire needed labor resources with the assistance of Human Resources. Organize project teams consisting of sustaining and performing staff and for ensuring overall effective deployment of resources across all facilities.

4. Ensure all data and deliverables, reports and submittals are accurate and timely.

5. Ensure the implementation and completion of a Performance Evaluation process for all employees. Ensure SCA personnel are classified correctly.

6. Monitor all costs and schedules associated with implementing tasks and projects within the engineering department and make any necessary changes to maintain the project on schedule and within budgets.

7. Ensure continuous measurement, analysis, and improvement of contract performance.

Qualifications

Education & Experience:Minimum Bachelor of Science degree in an engineering discipline.

Required Skills & Expertise:

1. 10+ years' experience in engineering. This experience should be in the aerospace industry with a preferred emphasis on test and R&D operations and facilities with NASA.

2. Knowledge and experience aerodynamic and aerothermodynamics testing subsonic through hypersonic, thermal vacuum testing, aircraft engine components testing, turbo machinery testing, materials testing, microgravity, cryogenics and propellant testing is preferred.

3. Direct experience with management of people and programs for cross utilization and cross training personnel. Demonstrated leadership skills as evidenced by prior management experience.

4. Direct experience as a manager for a government support service contract, direct experience as a manager of a similar or larger sized support service government contract, or previous government NASA or DOD branch or division level management experience preferred.

5. Strong background with test engineering, quality assurance (ISO 9001), safety assurance, and project management.

6. Direct experience with implementing organizational changes and close partnering with customers in an operations environment to initiate change is preferred.

7. Track record of initiating process improvements and cost reductions, and history of successfully managing schedules and budgets in an operations environment is preferred.