Axient is seeking a senior professional aerospace engineer to provide advice and assistance services to the Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC) in support of the acquisition, development, or sustainment of weapon systems, subsystems, and/or support equipment.  The position is responsible for work related to the integration of the aeronautics and astronautics sciences within the broad arena of aviation and space exploration and, as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the organization in aerospace engineering assignments concerning aerodynamic test systems, the position provides technical leadership to ensure project/program success and facilitates AEDC early involvement with weapon system programs.

Duty 1, Aerospace Engineering Support

• Performs professional aerospace engineering work involved in the application of advanced theories, concepts, principles, and processes to the acquisition, development, or sustainment of weapon systems, subsystems, and/or support equipment.
• Applies expert knowledge and mastery of advanced engineering theories, principles, concepts, standards, and methods to ensure assigned projects remain consistent with program objectives, costs, schedules, performance criteria, and existing policies.
• Demonstrates a mastery of, and skill in applying, innovative engineering practices, techniques, and methodology to identify, analyze, and resolve issues; ensures resolutions are consistent with program objectives, costs, schedules, performance criteria, and any existing policies and procedures.
• Researches, analyzes, and determines available options or the feasibility of different advanced approaches to resolve complex program issues; defines concepts and criteria for future programs or resolves major controversial problems in current programs.
• Provides innovative recommendations to alter standard practices, equipment, devices, processes, and known techniques.
• Formulates and develops new products and/or theories pertaining to new applications of existing products and assesses the impact of new technology on current systems and processes.
• Systematically applies expertise in aerospace engineering to create new or substantially improved equipment, materials, instrumentation, devices, systems, processes, techniques, and/or procedures.
• Applies experimental theories, new applications or developments to improve operations and/or resolve unique or complex/controversial problems, conditions, or issues.

Duty 2, Analysis Support

• Performs complex and comprehensive analysis and uses systematic, disciplined, quantifiable approaches to implement, develop, and document projects.
• Recognizing priorities as well as the urgency of situations, evaluates procedures and employs innovative techniques and methods to achieve goals.
• In support of engineering reviews and/or panels, develops evaluations and technical justifications of feasibility, practicability, and technical soundness. Work may include use or development of computer aided engineering and analysis tools.
• Develops, executes, and reviews policies, processes, and procedures of a special or miscellaneous character that may span multiple engineering disciplines and requires application of knowledge of such principles.
• Participates in special projects, initiatives, and prepares oral/written reports.
• Presents briefings and develops technical reports to document progress and results.
• Prepares management reports and conducts technical presentations for planning, implementation, and corrective action.

Duty 3, Consultant Services/Technical Expert Support

• Serves as a consultant and technical expert to senior subject matter specialists, agency, and/or Department of Defense (DoD) officials responsible for broad program operations.
• Serves as the technical expert for the organization and provides status and advisory services to superiors on problems, issues, and projects in assigned program areas. Conclusions and recommendations have a direct impact on management plans and decisions regarding policies and procedures.
• Attends meetings, conferences, briefings, and seminars related to project or program support.
• Remains mindful of new technology and revolutionary changes in research and development to ensure proper emphasis during the phases of lifecycle support.
• Conducts analysis of various systems, relationships, and models (i.e., evaluating and/or redefining the impact of new capabilities on current systems and policies).
• As a recognized expert, the employee has significant responsibility for defining major/critical problems and for advising management officials of advantages or disadvantages of various alternatives. Findings, recommendations, and decisions on functional issues influence processes and procedures used throughout the functional community.

Knowledge Skills/Abilities

1. Knowledge of professional aerospace engineering concepts, principles, practices, standards, methods, techniques, materials, and equipment to effectively apply advanced engineering theories, principles, and concepts to project development, execution, and advisory services.
2. Knowledge of development testing and evaluation sufficient to apply experimental theories and new applications to issues and provide technical advice and direction in support of weapon systems, subsystems, and/or support equipment.
3. Knowledge of integrated air-vehicles, ground systems, and support equipment sufficient to plan, design, test, troubleshoot, evaluate, and oversee the development and/or sustainment of aerospace vehicles, systems, equipment, and components.
4. Knowledge of other engineering disciplines and standard acquisition regulations, practices, and procedures.
5. Ability to devise and evaluate criteria, parameters, characteristics, and interrelationships for design approaches, and to assess the impact of new technology on current systems and processes.
6. Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and with technical accuracy, both orally and in writing, as well as work in a professional manner with peers, management, contractors, academia, and other agencies.

Minimum Requirements

• MS degree in relevant discipline (mechanical or aerospace engineering preferred)
• At least 10 years of relevant experience
• Ability to interface and communicate well with contractor staff and Government personnel
• Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Dedication to high standards of quality
• Ability to obtain/maintain a DoD security clearance at required level (minimum of Secret)
• Prior experience working at a military facility highly desirable (AEDC experience preferred)
• Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft