Principal Range Safety & Flight Termination Engineer

Created Solutions; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Created Solutions is seeking a Principal Range Safety & Flight Termination Engineer to support the Missile Defense Agency. The role focuses on leading flight termination systems, range safety, and ordnance expertise for launch and reentry vehicle operations.

The ideal candidate will bring deep knowledge of FTS, RCC-319/RCC-324 standards, GPS/IMU tracking, and a strong track record in large DoD programs. Travel to customer sites is required according to mission needs.

Qualifications

• Active DoD Secret clearance.
• Master’s degree with 12+ years of relevant experience, or bachelor’s with 20+ years in DoD programs.
• Demonstrated expertise in Flight Termination Systems (FTS) and ordnance systems.
• Proficiency with flight safety analysis products and RCC-319/RCC-324 standards.
• Working knowledge of GPS/IMU tracking and range tracking architectures.
• Strong written and verbal communication and briefing skills.
• Willingness to travel to mission deployments.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a Range Safety SME during flight tests and related activities.
• Oversee requirements development, allocation, and verification for FTS products including AFTS.
• Conduct technical surveillance across FTS hardware/software development and checkout.
• Author technical reports documenting status, analyses, and recommendations.
• Represent government stakeholders in technical groups, forums, and design reviews.

Skills

Range safety

Flight termination

Ordnance systems

Communication skills

Travel readiness

RF systems

Education

Master’s degree

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Flight safety analysis tools

GPS/IMU tracking

RCC-319 & RCC-324 standards

Job description

Principal Range Safety & Flight Termination Engineer

Location: Huntsville, AL
Employment Type: Full-Time
Experience Level: Principal Level
Education: Bachelor’s Degree or higher
Security Clearance: Active Secret clearance required
Work Location: Customer Site; telework permitted as customer requirements allow
Travel: Travel required

Position Overview

Created Solutions is seeking an experienced Principal Range Safety & Flight Termination Engineer to support the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) Targets and Countermeasures Engineering Directorate. In this role, you will provide critical engineering expertise for Flight Termination Systems (FTS) used across launch and reentry vehicles.

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in range safety, flight termination and ordnance systems, along with the technical judgment and communication skills necessary to represent government stakeholder interests throughout system development, testing, and flight operations.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Serve as a Range Safety subject matter expert on behalf of the Targets Program Office during flight tests, Range Safety Working Groups, and flight termination testing.
• Provide oversight of requirements development, allocation, and verification for target-system Flight Termination System (FTS) products, including Autonomous Flight Termination Systems (AFTS).
• Conduct technical surveillance across FTS hardware and software development, qualification, acceptance, integration, and final checkout.
• Author technical reports documenting system status, analytical findings, and formal recommendations.
• Represent government stakeholder interests in technical working groups, customer forums, and formal design reviews.

Required Qualifications

• Active DoD Secret security clearance.
• Master’s degree with 12+ years of relevant experience, OR bachelor’s degree with 20+ years of relevant experience, supporting missile defense or other large-scale, complex DoD programs.
• Demonstrated technical expertise in Flight Termination Systems (FTS) and ordnance systems.
• Proficiency with flight safety analysis products and applicable standards, specifically RCC-319 (Flight Termination Commonality Standard) and RCC-324 (Range Safety Tracking Systems Commonality Standard).
• Working knowledge of range tracking architectures, including GPS, Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs), and C-band tracking.
• Strong written and verbal communication and briefing skills.
• Willingness and ability to travel in support of mission deployments.

Desired Qualifications

• Direct experience with Autonomous Flight Termination Systems (AFTS).
• Hands-on flight test operations experience.
• Technical experience with RF systems, antennas, batteries, and ordnance devices.
• 10+ years of experience within the defense and aerospace industry.

Additional consideration: This position is primarily targeted at the Principal/Analyst IV level; however, exceptional candidates with less experience may be considered for an appropriately leveled position.

Culture & Values

At Created Solutions, our motto, “Consider it done,” is more than a slogan—it reflects our commitment to innovation, excellence, and integrity.

We seek team members who:

• Thrive in fast-paced, dynamic environments.
• Bring a problem-solving mindset and a strong work ethic.
• Value collaboration and continuous learning.
• Are committed to making a positive impact—both in their work and in their community.

Our company believes that all people are created equal for a purpose. We hold ourselves accountable to high standards in our work and in our mission to support our community through Created Outreach, our 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

About Created Solutions

Founded in 2024 in Huntsville, AL, Created Solutions is a fast-growing small business delivering advanced engineering solutions to the DoD and NASA. We provide expert government support services in flight vehicle design, electrical and mechanical systems, material science, manufacturing, and hypersonic technologies—helping solve some of the nation's most complex and critical defense challenges.

Join us and be part of a team where purpose and excellence come together.