Senior Aeronautical Engineer

VanderHouwen; Beavercreek (OH); On-site; USD 100,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

VanderHouwen seeks a Senior Aeronautical Engineer in Beavercreek, OH, responsible for air vehicle integration across multiple aircraft. This role involves managing mechanical integration and supporting flight testing within an agile development environment, while offering mentorship to mid-level engineers. Ideal candidates have extensive experience and an active security clearance.

Benefits

Medical

Dental

401k

PTO

Education reimbursement

Work/life balance

Parental leave

Qualifications

• 10+ years of aircraft modification or avionics hardware integration experience required.
• Active TS/SCI clearance necessary.
• Hands-on experience within USAF or DoD acquisition frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Lead aircraft level mechanical & structural integration of Nomad hardware stack.
• Manage AF Form 1067 packages, air worthiness artifacts, and flight clearance data.
• Serve as an onboard or ground test engineer during developmental flights.

Skills

Structural analysis

Weight & balance

Wiring integration

MIL STD environmental qualification

Education

B.S. in Aeronautical, Aerospace, or Mechanical Engineering

M.S. preferred

Tools

CREO

NX

CATIA

SolidWorks

Job description

Senior Aeronautical Engineer
As the Senior Aeronautical Engineer, you will be the program’s primary air vehicle integration lead, translating the digital design into safe, air worthy hardware and ensuring seamless fit, form, and function across multiple aircraft types.

This position is onsite in Beavercreek, OH.

Senior Aeronautical Engineer Responsibilities
Platform Integration Lead
Own the aircraft level mechanical & structural integration of the Nomad hardware stack, SATCOM apertures, and platform interface modules (PIMs).
Develop and coordinate AF Form 1067 packages, air worthiness artifacts, and flight clearance data with System Program Offices (SPOs), Flight Test Centers, and OEMs.
Perform trade studies and SWaP C analyses to down select form factor options for priority platforms.

Digital Engineering & Model Based Design
Author/maintain 3 D CAD assemblies, interface control models, and parametric weight/balance data inside the program’s government owned digital thread.
Feed real time design feedback to Nomad, Smith, and Watch IPTs and the Government architecture team.

System Integration Laboratory (SIL) Support
Define aircraft representative fixtures, wiring harnesses, and environmental test setups; oversee buildout and day to day operation of the Integration SIL.
Execute vibration, EMI/EMC, thermal, and functional checkout testing prior to DT/OT.

Flight Test & Fielding
Draft test plans, hazard analyses, and Interim Authorizations to Test (IATT); serve as on board or ground test engineer during developmental and operational flights.
Lead red line capture, root cause analysis, and incorporation of lessons learned into subsequent builds and Product Delivery Orders (PDOs).

Program Execution & Mentorship
Maintain integration milestones within the Integrated Master Schedule; brief risk, cost, and readiness metrics to Government leadership.
Provide technical mentorship to mid level engineers; cultivate a culture of agile, DevSecOps aligned hardware development.

Senior Aeronautical Engineer Qualifications
Due to the sensitivity of customer related requirements, U.S. Citizenship is required.
B.S. in Aeronautical, Aerospace, or Mechanical Engineering (M.S. preferred) and 10+ years of aircraft modification or avionics hardware integration experience (military platforms highly desired).
Demonstrated expertise in: structural analysis (FEM), weight & balance, wiring/HARNESS integration, and MIL STD environmental qualification.
Hands on experience guiding systems from lab to flight test to fielding within USAF or DoD acquisition frameworks (AFI 63 101/20 101).
Proficiency with CREO, NX, CATIA, or SolidWorks; familiarity with MBSE (SysML/CAMEO) a plus.
Active TS/SCI clearance.

Desired
Prior involvement in ABMS, OMS/UCI, CJADC2, or open architecture avionics programs.
Working knowledge of multiband SATCOM hardware, NSA accredited crypto devices, and cross domain solutions.
Experience authoring or reviewing Air Force flight clearance and air worthiness documentation (AF 879, AFCB, E Series).
Agile/Scrum or SAFe certification; familiarity with DevSecOps toolchains in classified environments.

Benefits
Medical, dental, 401k, ESOP, PTO, education reimbursement, work/life balance, parental and other leave programs.

Meet VanderHouwen
What kind of recruiter do you see yourself working with? One who prioritizes your best interest, no matter what? VanderHouwen does, and we're in it for the long game! Our recruiters focus on YOU, building meaningful, long-term relationships while developing a deep understanding of companies' staffing needs and workplace cultures. This approach helps us find an ideal job match that aligns with your unique career aspirations and goals.

VanderHouwen is an award-winning, Women & Diversity-Owned, WBENC certified professional staffing firm. Founded in 1987, VanderHouwen places experienced professionals across the nation! Our recruitment teams specialize in either Technology and IT, Engineering, Human Resources, or Accounting and Finance career markets. Partner with us to land your next exciting career!

VanderHouwen is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-Verify. VanderHouwen does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state, or federal civil rights laws.

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