Senior Flight Test Leader & Program Manager

Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. (MTSI); Dayton (OH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. (MTSI) in Dayton, Ohio, seeks a Senior Test Engineer and Manager to lead AFWERX ground and flight testing programs, guiding SBIR/STTR startups through test planning, safety reviews, and Air Force approvals.

The role blends senior technical leadership with hands‑on engineering, requiring clear communication with diverse teams, from startup founders to AFRL engineers, and delivering test documentation, data analysis, and actionable insights using SharePoint, Power

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship.
• Active Secret clearance, with ability to obtain TS after hiring.
• BS and MS in engineering or a related technical discipline.
• 10+ years of test engineering or related experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading or conducting complex flight testing.
• Experience developing and reviewing test plans, safety documentation, and approval packages.
• Experience with Microsoft SharePoint, Power Automate, and Power BI for workflow and dashboard development.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse partners, from startup teams to Air Force safety authorities.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, schedule, and execute ground and flight tests for a wide range of emerging aerospace systems.
• Manage and oversee multiple test programs simultaneously—each at different stages of planning, approval, execution, and reporting.
• Guide SBIR‑funded startups and small businesses through test plan development, refinement, safety reviews, and Air Force approval processes.
• Assess each team’s level of test experience and tailor your mentorship accordingly—ranging from hands‑on coaching to high‑level technical guidance.
• Develop and submit test documentation including test plans, safety packages, briefings, technical review materials, and flight approval artifacts.
• Obtain test approvals through AFRL, military test ranges, test organizations, and other Air Force stakeholders.
• Advise companies on ground and flight test methodologies, data collection strategies, and best practices for test discipline.
• Analyze, interpret, and report on test results for systems such as sUAS, counter‑UAS, electric aircraft, autonomous payloads, navigation and sensor packages, airspace monitoring systems, and related technologies.
• Utilize Microsoft SharePoint, Power Automate, and Power BI to automate test program tracking, build workflows, and provide reporting dashboards.
• Collaborate with a broad stakeholder network including AFRL Operations, AFRL Safety, AFWERX Compliance, AF Technical Points of Contact, test ranges, cybersecurity SMEs, spectrum management, contracting officers, and environmental experts.
• Drive continuous improvement of AFWERX test processes, tools, documentation standards, and automation methods.
• Serve as a senior technical leader while also performing hands‑on engineering tasks — writing plans, conducting reviews, creating briefings, and directly supporting test execution.

Skills

Leadership

Flight testing

Test planning

Safety documentation

Data analysis

Stakeholder management

Communication

Mentorship

Adaptability

Education

BS in engineering

MS in engineering

Tools

Microsoft SharePoint

Power Automate

Power BI

Job description

Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. (MTSI) in Dayton, Ohio, seeks a Senior Test Engineer and Manager to lead AFWERX ground and flight testing programs, guiding SBIR/STTR startups through test planning, safety reviews, and Air Force approvals.

The role blends senior technical leadership with hands‑on engineering, requiring clear communication with diverse teams, from startup founders to AFRL engineers, and delivering test documentation, data analysis, and actionable insights using SharePoint, Power