&C Imaging Systems Engineer

Overview

Job Title: &C Imaging System Engineer

Location: Arnold Air Force, TN

Function/Branch: Engineering/Instrumentation, Data & Controls

Directorate: Mission Information Services

Position Type:Regular, Full Time

Pay Type:Exempt

Sponsorship: Position Not Sponsored

Grade: L08 (OA0816) – L09 (OA0916)

Salary Range: L08: $109,000 - $149,000 / year

L09: $ 128,500 - $176,000 / year

Overview

Beyond New Horizons, LLC (BNH) has an exciting opportunity for an &C Imaging System Engineer supporting the Test and Operations Sustainment (TOS) II contract at Arnold Air Force Base, TN. In this role, you will lead and support the design, installation, integration, calibration, and maintenance of advanced, high-speed optical and infrared imaging systems. These diagnostic assets are critical for capturing and analyzing transient test events, including hypersonic flows, arc heater thermal testing, pressure sensitive paint, and other test surveillance videos.

You will also work closely with other Test Operations Engineers, Design and Systems Engineers, and Project Managers to deliver high-fidelity diagnostic data from unique national test assets.

Open to internal and external candidates. The selected candidate for this requisition may be required to occasionally work outside normal business hours.

Job Summary

The successful candidate will apply programming, design, configuration management, and testing skills to develop complex systems and applications to perform the above functions, while assisting in system/application deployment, installation, maintenance, and support.

Job Duties:

• Sustain and Optimize Imaging Systems:
  Manage, maintain, calibrate, and upgrade ultra-high-speed digital imaging cameras, optical diagnostics, and high-speed infrared (IR) cameras used in harsh and aerothermal test environments.
• Direct Diagnostic Setup and Execution:
  Lead the physical setup, precise optical alignment, laser safety coordination, and camera synchronization (at rates up to and exceeding 10,000 frames per second) to record transient arc heater arc-root movements, plasma jets, flow interactions, etc.
• Design Specialized Optical Paths:
  Develop and integrate advanced optical configurations including Schlieren systems, pressure sensitive paint, multispectral setups, and test surveillance video.
• Manage Large Datasets:
  Coordinate the ingestion, analysis, reduction, and archiving of high-bandwidth scientific video datasets. Use specialized image processing software to extract quantitative engineering metrics from qualitative visual recordings.
• Collaborate Cross-Functionally:
  Work closely with the &C Branch, test operations teams, facility engineers, and government representatives to gather requirements, estimate task costs, and build execution schedules for diagnostic projects.
• Sustain Safety:
  Enforce rigorous safety protocols, particularly relating to Class 3/4 laser systems, high-voltage equipment, and industrial test environments.
• Author Documentation:
  Draft detailed technical reports, standard operating procedures, electrical schematics, and equipment checklists to institutionalize system knowledge and satisfy contractual deliverables.
• Support Continuous Improvement:
  Identify opportunities to upgrade diagnostic capabilities, automate image analysis pipelines, and reduce test cycle setup times.
• It is a condition of employment to wear company-issued Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Optical Engineering, Physics, or another closely related engineering or scientific discipline from an accredited college or university.
• L08: A minimum of 5 years of progressive work experience in design, development, and operation of high-speed optical diagnostic systems in an industrial, academic research, or aerospace test environment.
• L09: A minimum of 8 years of progressive work experience with demonstrated technical leadership in high-speed optical engineering, instrumentation design, and cross-functional team project management.
• Current US Citizenship required.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance and access to the local…