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Test Operations Engineer -- APTU - 3511
Arnold AFB, TN · Government/MilitaryJob Title: Test Operations Engineer -- APTU - 3511
Department/Branch: Mission Execution/Space & Missiles
Functional Branch: Engineering
Position Type: Regular, Full-Time
Grade Level: 34-36
US Citizenship is Required
Job Summary
Test Operations Engineers work closely with test managers and test customers on test project plans, scheduling, installation, and directing our contract’s test team throughout the test cycle. Test operations engineers also operate as system engineers for equipment within or directly providing support to the test facility and may engage in some small design and analysis tasks as needed. This position is specifically responsible for safe operations and maintenance of the Aerodynamic Propulsion Test Unit (APTU) with our Space and Missile branch.
Job Duties:
Basic Qualifications:
This opportunity is being offered by National Aerospace Solutions, the team selected by the U.S. Air Force to conduct Test and Operations Sustainment at the Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC), Arnold Air Force Base, Tennessee. AEDC operates more than 55 aerodynamic and propulsion wind tunnels, rocket and turbine engine test cells, space environmental chambers, arc heaters, ballistic ranges and other specialized units located in six states. Many of the complex's test units have capabilities unmatched elsewhere in the United States; some are unique in the world. AEDC is one of three installations which are part of the Air Force Test Center (AFTC), one of six subordinate commands of the Air Force Materiel Command organization and an important national resource.
AEDC’s mission is to conduct developmental test and evaluation for the Nation through modeling, simulation, ground, and flight test. Execution of the mission requires a large team of highly qualified and dedicated professionals from multiple technical disciplines to effectively accomplish the objectives of our test customers.
NAS is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minority/Women/Veterans/Disabled (AA/EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, citizenship, genetic information, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Applicants with a physical or mental disability, who require a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, may e-mail their request to careers@nas-llc.us. PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT RESUMES to this address as they will not be considered for employment opportunities.
Department/Branch: Mission Execution/Space & Missiles
Functional Branch: Engineering
Position Type: Regular, Full-Time
Grade Level: 34-36
US Citizenship is Required
Job Summary
Test Operations Engineers work closely with test managers and test customers on test project plans, scheduling, installation, and directing our contract’s test team throughout the test cycle. Test operations engineers also operate as system engineers for equipment within or directly providing support to the test facility and may engage in some small design and analysis tasks as needed. This position is specifically responsible for safe operations and maintenance of the Aerodynamic Propulsion Test Unit (APTU) with our Space and Missile branch.
Job Duties:
- Work closely with the government and other contractors to develop the test and plant operational requirements (test period directives, plant run sheets, detailed run programs, etc.).
- Work closely with test customers as they design the test article, model, or test article support systems to ensure:
- The test article properly interfaces with the test unit / facility systems.
- The test article installation design allows for configuration changes to be performed as safely, quickly, and efficiently as possible.
- The test article mounts and/or model are structurally sound enough to withstand expected test conditions with adequate factors of safety.
- Direct plant and test system checkouts as required (after upgrades / capital improvement efforts, after system repairs, after long dormant periods, prior to using infrequently used capabilities, etc.).
- Direct the execution of test periods with respect to operating the facility and test article systems. This generally involves working with craft technicians in the test control room in operating the facility systems and test article, and interfacing with the plant operator on setting test conditions, based upon a test directive provided by the test customer and government test engineer. It requires the ability to respond quickly to alarms in fast paced, high pressure situations, ensuring the safety of the test crew, the facility, and the test article.
- Respond when systems malfunction during a test, troubleshooting and directing corrective maintenance activities (or calling in the appropriate systems engineer for additional support), ensuring a timely return to service.
- Write detailed work order tasks with attached drawings, permits, work instructions, baseline and test hazard analyses, etc. ensuring hardware and materials are ordered and staged on time and following the work progress in the field for facility reconfigurations, systems installations / modifications, maintenance, and test article installations.
- Support scheduling meetings and planning, including making inputs on required maintenance outages.
- Coordinate work with the appropriate area superintendent, craft supervisor, and / or work planner and provide technical leadership to the craft workforce in execution of work orders and operational / maintenance procedures (work instructions, WIs), Lock-Out / Tag-Out (LOTO), critical lifts, etc.
- Ensure proper test / operations reporting (Ops Center, test resumes, Operating Test Logs, Test Unit Status Logs, Test Article Activity Logs, unplanned event reporting, etc.).
- Perform facility characterization/ calibrations, monitor facility performance, and maintain system capability / performance maps and envelopes.
- Evaluate mechanical, thermal, and electromechanical systems by applying principles of mechanics, thermodynamics, hydraulics, pneumatics, heat and mass transfer, and mechanics of materials
- Work with reliability engineers to develop maintenance schedules based on condition and health of equipment and ensure supply of materials (spares) required is available to maintain equipment operation.
- Perform root cause failure analyses and other equipment performance analyses when systems or processes fail and recommend remedial actions.
- Develop, document, and complete maintenance procedures, mechanical systems operating procedures, sequence of operations, advanced troubleshooting, system optimization, component and systems risk assessments, and energy conservation plans.
- Develop estimates for small improvement projects and test projects.
- Work with multidiscipline team of engineering staff solving problems and planning test projects.
- Being flexible to work extra hours or support off shift testing is required.
- Communicate clearly and utilize various methods of communication
- It is a condition of employment to wear company issued PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) in accordance with supervisory direction and company policy.
- Perform other related duties as required.
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from an accredited college or university plus a minimum of three years progressive and relevant engineering experience
- Current U.S. Citizenship is required.
- AEDC Test Operations Experience
- Active Department of Defense Secret Security Clearance.
- Practical application of technical knowledge of mechanical engineering systems, applications of engineering methods and construction methods and materials, and application of computer aided engineering (CAE)/computer aided design (CAD) tools to engineering problems
- Multi-disciplinary experience (electrical engineering, mechatronics, control systems, etc.) is a plus.
- Ability to work in a dynamic environment with flexibility to accomplish mission objectives
- Strong communication skills (including verbal and written)
- Demonstrated experience successfully building relationships with team across engineering and craft workforce
- Participates in and fosters a work environment that is based upon openness, trust, communication, teamwork, empowerment, innovation, and satisfaction.
This opportunity is being offered by National Aerospace Solutions, the team selected by the U.S. Air Force to conduct Test and Operations Sustainment at the Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC), Arnold Air Force Base, Tennessee. AEDC operates more than 55 aerodynamic and propulsion wind tunnels, rocket and turbine engine test cells, space environmental chambers, arc heaters, ballistic ranges and other specialized units located in six states. Many of the complex's test units have capabilities unmatched elsewhere in the United States; some are unique in the world. AEDC is one of three installations which are part of the Air Force Test Center (AFTC), one of six subordinate commands of the Air Force Materiel Command organization and an important national resource.
AEDC’s mission is to conduct developmental test and evaluation for the Nation through modeling, simulation, ground, and flight test. Execution of the mission requires a large team of highly qualified and dedicated professionals from multiple technical disciplines to effectively accomplish the objectives of our test customers.
NAS is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minority/Women/Veterans/Disabled (AA/EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, citizenship, genetic information, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Applicants with a physical or mental disability, who require a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, may e-mail their request to careers@nas-llc.us. PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT RESUMES to this address as they will not be considered for employment opportunities.