Senior Operations Engineer - NASA AFRC

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.

As a NASA
Operations Engineer
with 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
  .

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.

AMERICAN SYSTEMS is committed to pay transparency for our applicants and employee-owners. The salary range for this position is USD $/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 Race/Sex/Disability Status/Veteran Status