Astrion

Integrated defense, security, and space technology

Theater-Based Flight/Ground Test Engineer

Spacecraft & Launch Vehicle SystemsConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeHuntsville, AL, USANo salary listed

About the Job

Requirements

A master's degree in a related engineering field is required; a bachelor's degree with five years of additional relevant experience may substitute for the master's degree.
At least 10 years of recent relevant experience is required.
Must be eligible to obtain and maintain at least a Secret security clearance.
Must be able to adapt to short-notice requirement changes, deadlines, schedule changes, competing priorities, and unpredictable events in a fast-paced professional team environment.
Must have strong oral and written communication skills.
Must be willing to travel up to 20% of the time.

Responsibilities

Support system readiness, software validation, and personnel training in the laboratory environment.
Monitor systems to identify deficiencies, document issues, and recommend practical fixes.
Develop and present comprehensive briefings for visiting VIPs demonstrating the operational use and strategic impact of RISTS within the WG&E ecosystem.
Manage end-to-end execution of flight tests, wargames, and exercises, from scenario design through post-event analysis.
Design wargame scenarios by defining core objectives and managing logistical parameters.
Use Warfighter information to build high-fidelity, end-to-end digital representations of the THAAD weapons system, including battle plans and flight-test scenarios.
Integrate RISTS into the broader BMDS architecture.
Instruct military audiences on threat tactics, system capabilities, and employment methodologies.
Support operational execution by managing and operating complex simulation systems and conducting real-time assessments of simulated engagements.
Analyze and report event outcomes.
Provide downrange support for THAAD flight tests.
Provide process flows and product enhancements across mission areas; apply protected-information criteria and lessons learned; and comply with applicable DoD and MDA directives.
Support integration, checkout, and delivery of THAAD battery equipment, including Element Integration and Checkout of each THAAD battery at test ranges.
Support pre-test planning, test-document development, range coordination, site preparation, management reviews, test execution, data collection, and data transfer.
Coordinate with the THAAD Program Office and DE to develop TO memoranda, test scenarios, test requirements, and test-range logistics.
Support executive reviews and briefings on mission status, including preparing for and participating in CVTCs from remote test-range locations and developing executive-level technical briefings.
Support Continuous Development Integration activities for the THAAD Ground Test Directorate.
Review and provide input to MDA Test Objective Memorandums, Operational Tasking Link, and Event Communications Baseline.
Support MDA Ground Test Directorate Executive and Integrated Test Team reviews.
Develop source-material inputs for MDA Ground Test, including event Scenario Matrices and Scenario Design Reviews for the MDA Directorate for Test.
Develop Test Readiness Reviews and brief the THAAD Weapon System Test Director.
Lead MDA and THAAD Quality teams through the Certification Data Package process, confirming modeling and simulation hardware and software readiness for testing.
Lead Ground Test Development phases from Element Standalone through Test Case Integration and Developmental/Operational Test Runs-for-Record.
Coordinate with THAAD Warfighters regarding their roles, event scenarios, and TTP/PPR for MDA Ground Test events.
Observe laboratory modeling and simulation system performance and Warfighter interaction, and submit daily End-of-Day reports during MDA Ground Test Runs-for-Record.
Develop Test Execution Reports, including anomaly investigation and analysis and formal System Test Observation status and reporting.

Desired Qualifications

Understand systems engineering processes from requirements development through verification and testing.
Be familiar with Missile Defense Agency program objectives.
Have in-depth knowledge of Missile Defense System capability, components, and system-level topics.
Know MDA test planning, processes, and execution.
Have experience developing test plans, such as a Test Evaluation Master Plan or Integrated Master Test Plan, for a major defense acquisition program.
Have experience planning test events in a resource-constrained environment.
Have experience with cybersecurity test planning.
Have Hardware-in-the-Loop test experience.
Have experience developing briefings for senior leadership.
Have recent experience developing THAAD hardware and software components.
Have experience modeling threat ballistic missiles or analyzing threat data using AutoCAD, LabVIEW, Microsoft Office, DEWEsoft, or Python.
Be proficient with Windows-based PC software, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Microsoft Project, and Microsoft Teams.

Overview

Theater-Based Flight/Ground Test Engineer

LOCATION: Huntsville, AL, Redstone Arsenal

JOB STATUS: Full-time

CLEARANCE: SECRET

TRAVEL: Up to 20%

Astrion has an exciting opportunity for a Theater-Based Flight/Ground Test Engineer supporting the Missile Defense Agency’s Theater-Based Defense Directorate (TB), THAAD Test (TBTT) division at the Von Braun Complex on the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. Astrion is at the forefront of new missile defense technologies and supports the MDA’s rigorous operational and developmental testing. This exciting, rewarding work helps guarantee the security of the United States and our Allies. Join a professional team of highly qualified engineers, analysts, scientists, and technicians supporting the research, development, testing, and evaluation of the missile defense system whose purpose is to detect, track, engage, and destroy adversary missiles.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS

MS in a related engineering field. A BS with five years of additional relevant experience may be substituted for the MS degree requirement
10 years of recent relevant experience
Eligibility to obtain and maintain at least a Secret security clearance
Experience working in a fast paced, professional team environment with the ability to adjust/react to short notice requirements changes, deadlines, changing schedules, competing priorities, and unpredictable events
Strong oral and written communications skills
Must be willing to travel up to 20% of the time

HIGHLY DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS

Keen understanding of the systems engineering processes from requirements development to verification and testing
Familiarity with Missile Defense Agency program objectives
In depth knowledge of the Missile Defense System (MDS) capability, components and system level topics
Knowledge of MDA test planning, processes and execution
Experience with development of test plans (Test Evaluation Master Plan (TEMP) or Integrated Master Test Plan (IMTP)) for major defense acquisition program
Experience in planning test events in a resource constrained environment
Experience with cybersecurity test planning
Hardware in the Loop test experience
Experience in development of briefings for Sr. Leadership
Recent experience in THAAD development of Hardware and Software components.
Experience modeling threat ballistic missiles and/or analyzing threat data in any or all of the following disciplines: Auto CAD, LabView, MS Office, DEWEsoft, Python
Proficient with Windows-based PC software (e.g. Word, PowerPoint, Excel, MS Project, MS Teams)

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Flight/Ground Test Engineer plays a critical role in the integration, execution, and continuous improvement of the THAAD weapons system within simulated and live wargaming environments. Their duties span the full lifecycle of test events, divided into Non-Deployed (Lab & Training) and Deployed (Operational Execution) responsibilities which include:

Support system readiness, software validation, and personnel training within the laboratory environment
Monitor systems to identify deficiencies, annotate issues, and recommend practical fixes
Develop and present comprehensive briefings for visiting VIPs to demonstrate the operation use and strategic impact of RISTS within the WG&E ecosystem
Manage end-to-end execution of Flight Test and wargames and exercises, from initial scenario design to post-event analysis
Design realistic, challenging wargame scenarios – define core objectives, manage logistical parameters
Provide Warfighter information to build high-fidelity end-to-end digital representations of the THAAD weapons system constructing robust battle plans, and Flight Test scenarios
Integrate RISTS into the broader BMDS architecture
Instruct and educate military audiences on threat tactics, system capabilities and employment methodologies
Support operational execution by managing and operating complex simulation systems and conduct real-time assessments of simulated engagements
Provide analysis and reporting of event outcomes
Provide exceptional downrange support, which is instrumental in the successful execution of THAAD Flight tests.
Provide proven, step-by-step process flows, product enhancement across all mission areas, and application of critically protected information criteria and lessons learned, and full compliance with all applicable DoD/MDA directives.
Support technical efforts for the THAAD systems case involving the integration, checkout, and delivery of THAAD battery equipment, including supporting Element Integration and Checkout (EICO) of each THAAD battery at test ranges.
Support the pre-test planning, development of test documentation, range coordination, site preparation, management reviews, test execution, data collection, and data transfer activities.
Coordinate with the THAAD Program Office and DE in development of TO memos, test scenarios, test requirements, and test range logistics.
Support executive reviews/brief-outs to apprise leadership of mission status, including preparing for/participating in CVTCs from remote test range locations and developing executive-level technical briefings (e.g., for THAAD UAE EICO-A/TrackEx EMER).
Support all Continuous Development Integration (CDI) activities on behalf of the THAAD Ground Test Directorate (THTG)
Review and provide inputs to MDA Test Objective Memorandums (TOM), Operational Tasking Link (OPTASKLINK), and Event Communications Baseline (ECB)
Support MDA Ground Test Directorate (DTG) Executive and Integrated Test Team (IETT) Reviews
Develop inputs to MDA Ground Test Source material including event Scenario Matrices (SM) and Scenario Design Reviews (SDR) for the MDA Directorate for Test (DT)
Develop Test Readiness Reviews (TRR) and brief to the THAAD Weapon System Test (THT) Director
Lead the MDA and THAAD Quality teams through the Certification Data Package (CDP) Process, confirming M&S HW/SW readiness for testing
Lead all phases of Ground Test Development from Element Standalone (ESA) to Test Case Integration (TCI) and Developmental/Operational Test Runs-for-Record (DT/OT RFR)
Interface with THAAD Warfighters (WF) regarding their roles, event scenarios, and TTP/PPR for MDA Ground Test events
Observe Laboratory M&S system performance, WF interaction, and submit daily End-of Day (EOD) reports during MDA Ground Test events RFR
Develop Test Execution Reports (TER) including anomaly investigation and analysis along with formal System Test Observation (STO) status and reporting

About the Company

Astrion

Integrated defense, security, and space technology

Astrion provides integrated technology solutions and services for defense, homeland security, intelligence, and space missions. It covers cyber, software, systems engineering, and mission support, delivered through an “always on” approach and strong execution in demanding environments. The company works directly with customers to deliver impactful results and shape the future of national security and space operations. By combining technical expertise with agility, Astrion differentiates itself through relentless pursuit of bold ideas and end-to-end support across the lifecycle of complex missions. Its goal is to help customers meet critical moments with reliable, tailored solutions that advance capabilities in defense, security, and space.

Company size: 1,001-5,000
Company stage: Not listed
Total funding: Not listed
Headquarters: Washington DC, District of Columbia
Founded: Not listed

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