Job Title: Test Operations Engineer Lead-Propulsion                       

Location: Arnold AFB, TN

Job Family Code: O--Engineering

Function/Branch: Engineering/Propulsion

Directorate: Test Operations

Position Type: Regular, Full-Time       

Pay Type: Exempt        

Sponsorship: Position Not Sponsored.            

Grade: L08 (OA0811) - L09 (OA0911)

Salary Range: Grade 08: $93,000 - $123,000; Grade 09: $109,000 - $146,000 / year

Overview

Beyond New Horizons, LLC (BNH) has an exciting opportunity for a Test Operations Engineer Lead in our Propulsion Test Group, supporting the Test Operations and Sustainment contract at Arnold Engineering Development Complex at Arnold Air Force Base, TN. The Test Operations Engineer will be working as a member of an integrated team in Propulsion responsible for operating and maintaining ground test facilities used for development and evaluation testing of propulsion systems such as turbojet and turbofan air breathing engines and ramjets in support of the United States Air Force Test Operations and Sustainment efforts.

Open to internal and external candidates. The selected candidate for this requisition must be available to work any shift to support test demands.

Job Summary

The successful candidate for a Test Operations Lead role will be able to work independently, solve complex technical problems with minimal supervision, effectively lead others as a work performer and a coach, and place emphasis on rapid continual professional development of engineers to handle a breadth of tasks for testing operations. The candidate should demonstrate the ability to work effectively with others and manage multiple projects simultaneously, effectively plan, organize, and direct the work of teams consisting of multiple stakeholders to conduct comprehensive verification efforts and successfully execute problem resolution when required.

It is expected that a Test Operations Lead will perform the general job duties of a Test Operations Engineer and maintain qualifications required to operate the assigned facility(ies).  The Test Operations Engineer Lead will typically be deployed to a specific area, although the company may move a Lead or Leads to other areas based on workload demands and mission needs. The Test Ops Engineer Lead may support multiple test areas/cells. 
             

Job Duties:

In addition to Test Operations Engineer duties, under the direction of the supervisor:

Test Cell Operations & Technical Execution

• Test Cell Leadership (Crew Chief/Lead TOE)--Serve as the Test Cell Crew Chief and senior Test Operations Engineer (TOE). Lead comprehensive readiness, proactive maintenance, planning, and execution activities (including estimates, hazards analysis, and SOC development)
• Operational Oversight & Troubleshooting—Actively monitor test progress, troubleshoot anomalies alongside engineering teams, document vital lessons learned to refine standard work instructions, and support systems engineering for facility equipment
• Configuration & Change Management—Ensure System Safety Hazard Analyses (SSHAs), work instructions, and configuration management of assigned areas remain current and compliant

Operational Leadership & Project Management

• Personnel & Resource Allocation—Plan day-to-day operations, allocate test operations engineers to tests, manage group assignments, track task progress, and identify area requiring additional support to me group objectives
• Performance & Progress Monitoring—Monitor individual employee performance (technical, schedule, cost, and hours), track progress toward goals, and provide constructive input to annual performance reviews
• Strategic Liaison—Interface with Air Force, other contractors, test customers, senior staff, and management to ensure strategic objectives are aligned and met

Mentorship, Training & Administration

• Training & Qualification—Maintain workforce qualification and support technical training of the test operations crew to mitigate operational risks
• Development & Mentorship—Serve as a mentor, provide technical guidance for complex engineering problems, pair team members with mentors, and ensure they have the tools and training necessary to succeed
• Administrative & Ad-hoc Support--Perform basic administrative duties and other related tasks as requested by the supervisor

Safety, Compliance, & Risk Mitigation

• FOD & Housekeeping Management—Serve as the Test Cell FOD Champion responsible for enforcing meticulous housekeeping and driving a robust Foreign Object Damage (FOD) prevention program, leading process discipline evaluations and executing corrective action plans
• Safety & LOTO Compliance—Enforce rigorous operational compliance, review and approve Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO) plans, and serve on technical committees as assigned
• PPE Requirement—Champion a safety focused environment amongst the team and ensure assigned personnel wear company-issued Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in accordance with company safety policy and supervisory direction as a condition of employment

Basic Qualifications:

• BS degree in Mechanical or Aerospace/Aeronautical Engineering from an accredited college or university
• Grade 08: A minimum of 5 years progressive and relevant experience in an engineering team environment
• Grade 09: A minimum of 8 years’ progressive and relevant experience in an engineering team environment
• Qualified or previously qualified as a Test Operations Engineer in at least one test cell/area (Primary Qualified in those cells which have that classification)
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense Secret level security clearance and access to the AEDC local area network
• Due to Air Force Security requirements, U.S. Citizenship is required for employment at AEDC

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to lead personnel and facilitate positive results with a diverse team
• A minimum of 4 years progressive and relevant engineering experience including 2 years of test operations experience, including expertise in ground test techniques and related experience
• Test Operations Engineer Primary Qualified in Propulsion
• Currently serving as an effective mentor to one or more individuals
• Strong interpersonal skills, strong written and oral communications skills, and confidence leading small teams
• Professional Engineer’s License or a Master of Science degree or post-graduate coursework in Mechanical or Aerospace/Aeronautical engineering from an accredited engineering program
• Active Department of Defense Secret Security Clearance

What We Offer

• Competitive salaries
• Continuing education assistance
• Multiple healthcare benefits packages
• 401K with employer matching
• Paid time off (PTO) along with a federally recognized holiday schedule

Who We Are

Beyond New Horizons (BNH) is a fully populated joint venture of Astrion and Fluor Federal Services, Inc. formed to provide unmatched Test Operations and Sustainment services for the Arnold Engineering Development Complex.

 We chose our name to serve as an enduring reminder of our commitment to AEDC’s rich aerospace research and development legacy anchored in AEDC’s Toward New Horizons founding study and the unprecedented opportunities to greatly expand AEDC’s capabilities and capacity Beyond those existing today. Leveraging the capabilities of our parent companies, BNH specializes in testing and evaluation for military and space systems combined with proven capability in large-scale Government program management, integration, engineering, and construction services for specialized and technically advanced high-hazard facilities.

Join our Team!

U.S. Citizenship is required. At this time BNH will not sponsor any applicants for employment authorization or offer any immigration related support for this position (i.e. H1b, F1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT, F-1 CPT, J-1, E-2, E-3, L-1, or other forms of work authorization that require immigration support from an employer).

The minimum and maximum full-time annual salaries for this role are listed below, by location. Please note that this salary information is solely for candidates hired to perform work within one of these locations and refers to the amount BNH is willing to pay at the time of this posting. Salaries for part-time jobs will be adjusted based upon the number of hours agreed to work.

Grade 08: $93,000 - $123,000; Grade 09: $109,000 - $146,000 / year at Arnold AFB, TN 

BNH is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, veteran status, and any other grounds for discrimination prohibited by applicable law.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training