Mission Planning Test Engineer, Flight Performance Model (FPM) Test Lead Shalimar, FL

COLSA Corp.; Orlando (FL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

COLSA Corp. seeks a Mission Planning Test Engineer to support the U.S. Air Force at Eglin AFB, ensuring mission planning software evaluates aircraft performance data. Ideal candidates are military aviation professionals with extensive software testing experience and a strong commitment to teamwork and communication.

Benefits

Medical and Dental Benefits

401(k) with company match

Paid Time Off and Holidays

Education & Certification Reimbursement

Qualifications

• Master's degree with 10 years experience OR Bachelor's degree with 18 years experience required.
• Must have DoD Secret clearance and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate integration of flight performance models for mission planning software.
• Plan tests and assess program effectiveness in a fast-paced environment.
• Provide expertise and final authority on software integration and test.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Technical Writing

Education

Master’s degree in a related field

Technical Bachelor’s degree in a related field

HS Diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Mission Planning Test Engineer, Flight Performance Model (FPM) Test Lead

Tracking Code

9162-987

Posted Date

5/21/2025

Job Location

Location of Position

Work Arrangement

On Site: 100%

Position Type

Full-Time/Regular

Clearance Required?

Yes

Level of Clearance Required

Secret

Can we move forward with hiring for this position now?

1-Yes - We're replacing someone or filling an approved role (or funding is expected imminently)

Job Description:

The team is searching for a mission planning software tester to support the 45 th Test Squadron and the United States Air Force at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. The Mission Planning Systems Test Team conducts independent assessments on Air Force mission planning systems to determine if the software is suitable for operational use.

If you enjoy working in a fast-paced, “Agile” software development environment, directly supporting warfighter mission planning, this is the team for you. This position evaluates the integration of the aircraft flight performance models (FPM) for use with the Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS) and JMPS Open Mission System (JOMS) environments. If you have the desire to ensure the mission planning software, meets the expectations of the Major Commands (MAJCOMS), this job is for you.

We are looking for military aviation professionals (Pilots, Navigators, Weapon System Operators (WSO) and Flight Engineers) with experience computing aircraft performance data (climb, cruise, descent, takeoff and landing (TOLD) from flight manuals. You will be evaluating digitized data files to ensure they match the performance depicted in manual charts within specified tolerances. Additionally, you must ensure that applicable warnings, cautions and notes are applied correctly in the FPM. Test experience (requirements, test planning, test execution and reporting) is desired but not required. Professional interaction and communication with non-collocated team members (developers, program managers, Major Command representatives, military users, other test agencies) is essential.

This position normally doesn’t require travel and is generally performed in unclassified environments; however, there could be exceptions.

This position provides the following mission planning test support directly to the 45th Test Squadron at Eglin AFB, FL:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide mission planning domain expertise and frequently serve as the final authority on software integration, test, and deployment
• Provide mission planning domain expertise in questions/issues of critical importance to the customer
• Plan tests, establish criteria, assess program effectiveness, and investigate/analyze unusual testing conditions, problems, or questions. Work facilitates software development, production, design, or procurement, and affects the efficiency or productivity of a test facility or test activity. Software evaluations may result in new testing techniques or involve assessments, which are often the decision basis for large expenditures
• Plan, coordinate, and monitor test projects that frequently require significant modifications of standard practices or adaptation of instrumentation to obtain valid results. Plan, monitor and evaluate tests, and assess the feasibility and soundness of proposed evaluation methods. Make recommendations and commitments to program management leadership/personnel
• Demonstrate software experience in the Windows 10 or newer environment
• Demonstrate strong aviation planning experience with flight performance functions provided by the software, including operational use of comparable systems.
• Maintain a working knowledge of the software or class of software being tested, to include experience with the existing software, previous versions, future versions or any associated software used in conjunction with the software being tested
• Maintain testing/test methodology experience, including testing of software/hardware, such as unit, integration, system, or acceptance testing, and familiarity with Air Force directives, processes and procedures
• Maintain experience in the developmental/operational testing of any research, development, or test and evaluation software associated with aircraft, weapons, range instrumentation, or other computer systems
• Maintain experience in the use of automated mission planning software
• Be able to travel to attend required meetings (such as Program Management Reviews, Engineering Design Reviews, Formal Qualification Tests, and other mission planning enterprise/program meetings) CONUS
• Normally work 40 hours per week. Must be willing to work extended hours, including weekends and holidays, when required, to meet mission requirements.

At COLSA, people are our most valuable resource and centered at our core value. We invite you to unite your talents with opportunity and be a part of our “FamilyofProfessionals!”Learn about our employee-centric culture and benefitshere .

Required Experience

Required Experience:

• One of the following combinations is required:
• Master’s degree in a related field and a minimum of 10 years of related technical experience
• Technical Bachelor’s degree in a related field and a minimum of 18 years of related technical experience
• HS Diploma or equivalent and a minimum of 22 years of related technical experience
• Current and active DoD Secret clearance required. Must be able to obtain and maintain a DoD TOP SECRET clearance. U.S. Citizenship
• Must have a demonstrated ability to work effectively on a team and to influence the work of others to produce a product of desired quality
• Must possess a thorough knowledge of and extensive experience/training in the problem domain of the mission planning software being tested
• Must be able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, including communication skills in areas of technical writing, briefings, and formal presentations
• Must have or be able to obtain DOD 8570.01-M IAT Level 2 certification (Security+CE) or higher within 6 months of hire and maintain certification throughout employment

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Aircrew experience with aircraft performance data is highly desired
• Ability to conduct mission planning using automated tools is highly desired
• Proficiency in the use and integration of Microsoft Office applications is highly desired
• Proficiency with mission planning developmental or operational testing is highly desired
• Understanding and experience with Agile software development processes and procedures are highly desired

Applicant selected will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.COLSA Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Minorities/Females/Veterans/Disabled. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.

The salary range, if referenced, represents a good faith estimate. COLSA considers various factors when determining base salary offers, but not limited to, location, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s particular combination of education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements.

COLSA offers a comprehensive and customizeable benefits program which includes Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Supplemental Income Protection Programs, 401(k) with company match, Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Program, Education & Certification Reimbursement, Employee Discount Program, Paid Time Off and Holidays.

This position will be posted for a minimum of 3 business days. If a candidate has not been selected at that time, it will continue to be posted until a suitable candidate is selected or the position is closed.