Senior Aeronautical Engineer

DCS Corporation; Bedford (MA); On-site; USD 87,000 - 206,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Aeronautical Engineer to spearhead the integration of cutting-edge aerial technology. In this pivotal role, you will lead the mechanical and structural integration of advanced hardware, ensuring seamless functionality across various aircraft. With a focus on digital engineering and model-based design, you'll contribute to vital test plans and mentor mid-level engineers. This innovative firm offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and education reimbursement, fostering a work-life balance that empowers employees to thrive both personally and professionally.

Benefits

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

401k

ESOP

PTO

Education Reimbursement

Parental Leave

Work/Life Balance

Qualifications

• 10+ years of aircraft modification or avionics-hardware integration experience required.
• Active TS/SCI clearance is mandatory for this position.

Responsibilities

• Lead aircraft-level mechanical & structural integration of Nomad hardware.
• Draft test plans and serve as on-board or ground-test engineer during flights.

Skills

Structural Analysis (FEM)

Weight & Balance

Wiring/Harness Integration

MIL-STD Environmental Qualification

Hands-on Experience with Lab to Flight Test

Agile/Scrum

DevSecOps Toolchains

Education

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

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

Tools

CREO

NX

CATIA

SolidWorks

MBSE (SysML/CAMEO)

Job description

Join the integrated Government‑industry team delivering PhalanxGriffon (PG)—a platform‑agnostic, open‑architecture aerial node that pushes real‑time, multi‑level‑secure data to the tactical edge. 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.

Essential Job Functions:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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).

5. 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.

Required Skills:

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 Skills:

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 (AF879, AFCB, E‑Series).

Agile/Scrum or SAFE certification; familiarity with DevSecOps toolchains in classified environments.

Pay Range and Benefits: There are a variety of factors that can influence salary at DCS Corp, including but not limited to, geographic location, Federal Government contract labor categories and wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, education, and certifications.

The proposed salary range for this position is: $87,934 - $205,188.

At DCS, we pride ourselves on providing flexibility that allows employees to balance meaningful work with their personal lives. We offer competitive compensation, benefits, and opportunities for learning and development.

Our broad and competitive mix of benefits is designed to support and protect employees and their families. Our robust benefit offerings include medical, dental, 401k, ESOP, PTO, education reimbursement, work/life balance, parental and other leave programs.

Learn more about our benefits here: DCS Corp Benefits.