Lead Test Engineer - Hypersonics

Kratos Defense and Security Solutions; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance

Life/ADD & Disability Insurance

401(k) Savings Plan

Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. invites a technically seasoned Test Execution Lead to guide the Hypersonic Structures department’s aerothermal testing program.

You will manage on-site test campaigns, lead a small team of engineers, and deliver high-quality sponsor reports from national facilities. Ideal candidates have advanced degrees in aerospace or related fields, strong MATLAB/Python skills, and a proven track record in leadership and technical reporting, with DoD security

Qualifications

• US Citizenship
• Active US Driver's License - Travel is required
• Ability to obtain/maintain security clearance at a level equivalent to Department of Defense (DOD) SECRET
• Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Applied Physics, or Materials Engineering with a minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience, OR a Bachelor's degree in the same fields with a minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience (other related programs will be considered)
• Proficiency in MATLAB/Python or similar scripting language
• Coursework or demonstrated experience in aerothermodynamics, high-enthalpy ground testing, or reacting/compressible gas dynamics
• Demonstrated experience leading a team
• Experience in technical report and proposal composition

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of 2-4 engineers and oversee performance evaluations
• Plan, resource, and execute full-lifecycle test campaigns in high-enthalpy facilities
• Lead pre-test engineering activities including design, analysis, instrumentation, and facility coordination
• Serve as primary engineer during on-site test events with authority over test conduct and safety
• Lead post-test data reduction, material characterization, and sponsor-facing reporting
• Act as primary technical contact for sponsor relations, reviews, and proposals
• Coordinate across teams for strategic planning, resourcing, and capability development
• Represent the department in external technical forums and publish papers

Skills

Team Leadership

Test Campaign Planning

Engineering Analysis

Communication

Education

Master's degree in Aerospace/Mechanical/Materials

Bachelor's degree in related fields

Tools

MATLAB

Python

Job description

GENERAL JOB SUMMARY:

This position serves as a technical team lead and developing subject matter expert within the Hypersonic Structures department at Kratos SRE, one of the nation's leading organizations in the evaluation of thermal protection systems and refractory materials for ballistic and hypersonic applications. The department maintains a broad research and testing portfolio, sponsored by the Department of Defense, NASA, and industry partners, and operates and fields testing at high-enthalpy convective facilities including arc jets, inductively coupled plasma torches, hypervelocity impact ranges, and radiant heating systems.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Test Execution Leads within the department are responsible for the full lifecycle of the various aerothermal tests performed within the department: defining test requirements and specimen configurations, leading on-site test execution at national facilities, performing advanced post-test analysis and material performance characterization, and delivering publication-quality technical reporting to sponsors.

This role requires technical maturity. Applicants are expected to become recognized experts in one or more disciplines central to the department's mission, to exercise independent judgment during high-consequence test events, and to represent the organization in external technical forums, working groups, and conferences.

The position also carries significant organizational responsibility, including the leadership and development of a small team of junior engineers, interoperability with other execution groups, direct engagement with sponsors as a primary technical point of contact, active contribution to business development and proposal capture, and meaningful participation in department-level strategic planning and operational decision-making.

Candidates with substantial coursework or professional experience in aerothermodynamics, high-enthalpy ground testing, reacting or compressible gas dynamics, or development of thermal protection systems are strongly encouraged to apply. An active DoD SECRET security clearance is a plus.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Team Leadership & Talent Development - Lead, mentor, and technically supervise a team of 2-4 engineers; conduct performance evaluations, define career development plans, and build team capabilities aligned with departmental strategic needs
• Test Campaign Ownership - Plan, resource, and execute full-lifecycle test campaigns from sponsor requirements definition through post-test deliverable submission across concurrent programs in internal and external high-enthalpy facilities. Manage labor budgets associated with testing alongside the department director.
• Test Preparation & Engineering Design - Lead or perform pre-test engineering activities including specimen design, multiphysics analysis, instrumentation strategy, test matrix development, and facility coordination, often in coordination with other functional groups in the department.
• On-Site Test Execution Leadership - Serve as the primary engineer during on-site test events at national aerothermal facilities; exercise real-time technical authority over test conduct, safety, and data quality decisions
• Post-Test Evaluation & Technical Analysis - Lead or perform post-test data reduction, advanced material performance characterization, comparative analysis, and development of actionable recommendations for sponsors; apply and advance state-of-the-art analysis techniques (e.g., photogrammetry, advanced calorimetry, multiphysics simulation)
• Sponsor & Stakeholder Management - Serve as primary technical point of contact for a subset of the department’s sponsor base; lead program reviews, technical interchange meetings, and proposal efforts to sustain and grow the sponsor portfolio
• Cross-Team Interoperability & Department Leadership - Operate as an equal peer with other team leads; manage cross-team resourcing and personnel development; participate in department-level strategic planning, process development, capability gap assessment, and internal research planning
• Subject Matter Authority - Serve as a subject matter expert in one or more core departmental disciplines (e.g., arc jet test methodology, TPS material response, refractory material evaluation, advanced instrumentation techniques); represent the department and company externally at conferences, technical working groups, and inter‑organizational forums; Author and present technical papers at relevant conferences and in peer‑reviewed journals; contribute to the department's reputation as a national center of excellence in aerothermal ground testing
• Business Development & Capture - Support new business identification, white paper development, technical proposal writing, and cost estimation for new and follow-on programs

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS

• Contribute to corporate‑level engineering standards, best practices, and process documentation
• Independently identify systemic technical risks across programs and develop mitigation strategies
• Evaluate emerging technologies and methodologies for potential adoption within the department
• Support recruitment efforts including technical candidate screening and interviewing
• Perform other duties and assist other employees, as assigned

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

This position may be responsible for a small team (2-4) of engineers.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Technical Expertise - Possesses and applies professional/technical knowledge, skills, experience, and judgment to accomplish a result, serve sponsors better, and contribute to the organization’s intellectual capital.
• Leadership - Ability to build, lead, and sustain high-performing engineering teams; interested in talent development and mentorship
• Planning and Organization - Systematically identifies issues to be addressed and plans a course of action for self and others to ensure the accomplishment of specific objectives; manage competing priorities across diverse research portfolio
• Communicates with Impact - Expresses thoughts and ideas effectively in individual and group situations; adjusts language to the needs of the audience. Ideas are clearly defined in grammatically correct written communication.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• US Citizenship
• Active US Driver's License - Travel is required
• Ability to obtain/maintain security clearance at a level equivalent to Department of Defense (DOD) SECRET
• Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Applied Physics, or Materials Engineering with a minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience, OR a Bachelor's degree in the same fields with a minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience (other related programs will be considered)
• Proficiency in MATLAB/Python or similar scripting language
• Coursework or demonstrated experience in aerothermodynamics, high-enthalpy ground testing, or reacting/compressible gas dynamics
• Demonstrated experience leading a team
• Experience in technical report and proposal composition

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Existing DOD SECRET clearance
• Graduate degree in a relevant field
• Hands-on experience with arc jet testing, including test planning, on-site execution, and post-test flow and material analysis
• Experience evaluating thermal protection systems or refractory materials for ballistic or hypersonic re-entry applications
• Expertise in one or more specialties: calorimetry or instrumentation development, photogrammetry or computer vision, functional microscopy for material analysis, or multiphysics simulation (thermal-structural-ablation)
• Experience managing a diverse portfolio of work
• Familiarity with national aerothermal test facilities (e.g., AEDC H1/H3 arc jets, NASA Ames AHF/IHF, Boeing LCAT)
• Experience in business development, capture activities, or cost estimation for government contracts

WORK ENVIROMENT / PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Work Environment & Conditions

• Safety glasses
• Hearing protection (varies based on tasks)
• Protective shoes

Physical Demands

• Perform work utilizing a computer for extended periods of time.
• Sit for extended periods of time without being able to leave the work area.
• Stand for extended periods of time without being able to leave the work area.
• Climb ladders and stairs in performing the work.
• Walk for reasonable distances in performing the work.
• Occasionally lift / carry objects weighing up to 50 lbs. in performing the work.
• Occasionally pull or push objects weighing up to 50 lbs. in performing the work.

TRAVEL:

25% domestic travel will be required to support off-site test execution, facility visits, conferences, or coordinate with government sponsors.

JOB BENEFITS

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance Coverage
• Life/ADD & Short/Long Term Disability Insurance
• 401(k) Savings Plan
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• Paid Time-Off (PTO)
• Holidays
• Education Reimbursement

Kratos Defense is an Equal Opportunity Affirmitive Action Employer. EOE, Minorities, Females, Vet, Disabled, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or any other protected class. All qualified job seekers are encouraged to apply. Kratos Defense is committed to America's veterans by providing opportunities for them to continue contributing after service to our nation. We also work to provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities.

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Kratos Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. EEO, Minority, Female, Veteran, Disadvantaged, and Disabled.

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