Senior Aeronautical Engineer

DCS Corporation; Dayton (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Aeronautical Engineer to lead the integration of innovative aerial technologies. In this pivotal role, you will translate digital designs into safe, airworthy hardware, ensuring seamless integration across various aircraft types. Your expertise will guide systems from lab to flight test, while mentoring mid-level engineers and maintaining critical integration milestones. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge projects within a dynamic team environment, making a significant impact on military aviation advancements. If you are passionate about aerospace engineering and thrive in a collaborative setting, this role is for you.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of aircraft modification or avionics hardware integration experience.
• Expertise in structural analysis, weight & balance, and MIL-STD environmental qualification.

Responsibilities

• Lead aircraft-level mechanical & structural integration of hardware.
• Draft test plans and serve as onboard 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 Certification

Education

B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering

M.S. in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

CREO

NX

CATIA

SolidWorks

MBSE (SysML/CAMEO)

Job description

Join the integrated Governmentindustry team delivering Phalanx Griffon (PG)-a platformagnostic, openarchitecture aerial node that pushes realtime, multilevelsecure data to the tactical edge. As the Senior Aeronautical Engineer, you will be the program's primary airvehicle integration lead, translating the digital design into safe, airworthy hardware and ensuring seamless fit, form, and function across multiple aircraft types.

Essential Job Functions:

• Platform Integration Lead

  • Own the aircraftlevel mechanical & structural integration of the Nomad hardware stack, SATCOM apertures, and platforminterface modules (PIMs).

    Develop and coordinate AF Form 1067 packages, airworthiness artifacts, and flightclearance data with System Program Offices (SPOs), Flight Test Centers, and OEMs.

    Perform trade studies and SWaPC analyses to downselect formfactor options for priority platforms.

• Digital Engineering & ModelBased Design

  • Author/maintain 3D CAD assemblies, interfacecontrol models, and parametric weight/balance data inside the program's governmentowned digital thread.

  • Feed realtime design feedback to Nomad, Smith, and Watch IPTs and the Government architecture team.

• System Integration Laboratory (SIL) Support

  • Define aircraftrepresentative fixtures, wiring harnesses, and environmental test setups; oversee buildout and daytoday 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 onboard or groundtest engineer during developmental and operational flights.

  • Lead redline capture, rootcause 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 midlevel engineers; cultivate a culture of agile, DevSecOpsaligned 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 avionicshardware integration experience (military platforms highly desired).

Demonstrated expertise in: structural analysis (FEM), weight & balance, wiring/HARNESS integration, and MILSTD environmental qualification.

Handson experience guiding systems from lab to flight test to fielding within USAF or DoD acquisition frameworks (AFI 63101/20101).

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 openarchitecture avionics programs.

Working knowledge of multiband SATCOM hardware, NSAaccredited crypto devices, and crossdomain solutions.

Experience authoring or reviewing Air Force flightclearance and airworthiness documentation (AF 879, AFCB, ESeries).

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