Senior System Test Engineer

Senior Test engineer - Must have an Active TS/SCI clearance

Onsite

Dayton, OH, US

Permanent

Job description

Essential Job Functions:

Strategy & Planning

Build the Program level Test & Evaluation Master Plan (TEMP) that links Nomad hardware, Smith software, and Watch ops support elements to CJADC2 mission threads and MR 2 exit criteria.

Define DT/OT entrance & exit gates, traceability matrices, and milestone metrics within the Integrated Master Schedule.

System Integration Laboratory (SIL) Leadership

Design lab architectures replicating platform power, data, and environmental interfaces; oversee daily ops, configuration control, and security accreditation.

Implement automated regression suites (Python/Robot Framework, Jenkins, Ansible, IXIA/Spirent) covering functional, performance, and cyber resilience tests.

Developmental & Operational Test Execution

Lead ground and flight test events: draft test cards, hazard analyses, Interim Authorizations To Test (IATT), and Safety of Flight packages.

Serve as lead flight test engineer or ground test conductor, capturing telemetry, logs, and spectrum traces; troubleshoot anomalies in real time.

Data Analysis & Reporting

Perform statistical analysis of throughput, latency, crypto handshake times, SWaP C impacts, and mission effect metrics.

Produce concise after action reports, deficiency reports (DRs), and recommendations for corrective action to IPTs and senior USAF stakeholders.

Continuous Integration / DevSecOps

Integrate test automation hooks into the PG DevSecOps pipeline; ensure every 90 day Smith build passes gated SIL tests before promotion.

Champion a “shift left” testing mindset—embedding verification earlier in design reviews and digital engineering artifacts.

Mentorship & Collaboration

Guide junior test engineers, platform SPO test reps, and Government civilians on best practices for agile T&E.

Interface with NSA, DISA, and flight safety authorities to align test artifacts with certification needs (ATO, crypto, airworthiness).

Required Skills:

Due to the sensitivity of customer related requirements, U.S. Citizenship is required.

B.S. in Aerospace, Electrical, Computer Engineering, or related discipline (M.S. a plus) and 15+ years of DoD system of systems test engineering, including lab to flight progression.

Active TS/SCI clearance.

Proven leadership of large scale DT/OT efforts for avionics, communications, or C2 systems.

Hands on with test automation frameworks, instrumentation, and data analysis tools (MATLAB, Pandas, JMP, or similar).

Familiarity with MIL STD 810/461, RCC 324/125 15, or comparable environmental and EMI/EMC standards.