Senior Aeronautical Engineer

DCS Corp; Dayton (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Aeronautical Engineer to lead air-vehicle integration for a cutting-edge aerial node. This role involves overseeing mechanical and structural integration, authoring 3D CAD assemblies, and supporting flight tests. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in aircraft modification, avionics integration, and a strong background in structural analysis and environmental qualification. Join a dynamic team dedicated to delivering innovative solutions at the tactical edge, where your expertise will directly contribute to the success of critical military platforms. If you're passionate about aerospace engineering and thrive in collaborative environments, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of aircraft modification or avionics-hardware integration experience required.
• Active TS/SCI clearance and U.S. Citizenship are mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Lead aircraft-level mechanical & structural integration of the Nomad hardware stack.
• 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

Guiding Systems from Lab to Flight Test

Agile/Scrum

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 (AF 879, AFCB, E‑Series).

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