Senior Operations Engineer - NASA AFRC

American Systems; Edwards (CO); On-site; USD 100,000 - 155,000; Full time

Job summary

American Systems, a 100% employee-owned federal contractor at Edwards AFB (CA), seeks an Operations Engineer to support NASA AFRC in a fast-paced aerospace research environment. You will provide technical leadership across operations and integration activities, coordinating with NASA and industry partners on autonomous aircraft projects. The role emphasizes safety reviews, test planning, and robust engineering support.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in STEM required; master’s preferred.
• 5+ years of experience supporting flight test activities on Gulfstream aircraft.
• On-site daily at NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center.
• 9/80 schedule with alternating Fridays off; core hours 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
• Occasional travel locally or longer distance by car or air.

Responsibilities

• Define and manage system requirements, risk, and integration strategies.
• Support aircraft operations, modifications, maintenance planning, and troubleshooting.
• Lead Operations Engineer activities for AFRC projects, including autonomous aircraft technologies and flight vehicle integration.
• Maintain aircraft configuration management and documentation (COAs, directives).
• Lead flight test planning and test card development; participate in safety reviews and risk assessments.

Skills

Flight test experience

Gulfstream aircraft

Systems engineering

Risk management

Airworthiness

Autonomous aircraft

Education

Bachelor’s degree in STEM

Master’s degree is a plus

Job description

Overview

AMERICAN SYSTEMS, a 100% employee-owned federal government contractor, is looking for an Operations Engineer to support innovative research and development efforts at NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center (AFRC), at Edwards AFB, CA.

In this role, you’ll provide technical leadership and hands‑on engineering support across a broad range of operations activities. You’ll apply strong engineering fundamentals to help plan, coordinate, and execute complex work in a fast‑paced aerospace research environment.

This is an opportunity to contribute to meaningful, mission‑driven work alongside NASA and industry partners while building your career with an employee‑owned company.

Responsibilities

As a NASAOperations Engineerwith AMERICAN SYSTEMS, you will have the opportunity to do the following:

Engineering and Integration

• Define and manage system requirements, risk, and integration strategies.
• Support aircraft operations, modifications, maintenance planning, and troubleshooting.
• Serve as the Operations Engineer for AFRC manned and unmanned projects, including the development of autonomous aircraft technologies and flight vehicle integration procedures across NASA and partner organizations.
• Maintain aircraft configuration management, including manuals, directives, TCTOs, Airworthiness Directives, and Maintenance Directives.
• Prepare and manage Certificates of Authorization (COAs).
• Lead and support flight test planning, including test card development.
• Participate in and lead Operations, Mission Rule, and Systems Safety Working Groups.
• Develop procedures for the assembly, installation, and integration of scientific instruments into NASA aircraft.
• Analyze project objectives, develop execution plans, and support safety reviews, including hazard documentation, FMEA, and mitigation planning.
• Review project instructions to confirm requirements, specifications, and objectives; recommend solutions to technical issues.
• Conduct and oversee system and component testing and research studies supporting performance improvements, development, and quality control.
• Record and analyze test procedures, results, and data; provide recommendations.

Leadership, Research, and Project Management

• Serve as a technical lead and mentor for engineering teams and junior engineers.
• Drive research and development initiatives supporting NASA aerospace advancements.
• Lead Tech Briefs, risk assessments, and strategic planning for flight test programs.
• Represent the Operations Engineering Branch during pre-mission deployments.
• Mentor engineers in technical specialties, systems engineering, and project management.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field. A master’s degree is a plus.
• At least 5 years of experience supporting flight test activities on Gulfstream aircraft.
• Ability to work onsite daily at NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center.
• Availability to work a 9/80 schedule, with alternating Fridays off and core hours generally between 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
• Ability to travel occasionally, both locally and longer distance, by car or commercial air.

Additional Desirable Experience

• Supporting airborne science payloads, research missions, or aircraft modification efforts.
• Working with LIDAR systems, optical payloads, sensor integration, or related airborne instrumentation.
• Supporting Gulfstream platforms or comparable research aircraft fleets.
• Flight test planning, test card development, mission execution, and flight operations.
• Risk management practices, airworthiness certification requirements, and flight safety processes.

We’re interested in candidates who bring experience in one or more of the above areas. If your background does not include every item,we still encourage you to apply.

Pay Transparency Statement

AMERICAN SYSTEMS is committed to pay transparency for our applicants and employee-owners. The salary range for this position is USD $100,000.00/Yr. - USD $155,000/Yr. Actual compensation will be determined based on several factors permitted by law. AMERICAN SYSTEMS provides for the welfare of its employees and their dependents through a comprehensive benefits program by offering healthcare benefits, paid leave, retirement plans, insurance programs, and education and training assistance.

EEO Statement

EEO Race/Sex/Disability Status/Veteran Status