Axient is seeking a Senior Operations Engineer to join our team at NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center (AFRC) at Edwards Air Force Base in California. This person will provide engineering technology and systems engineering concepts to the specific technical tasks at NASA AFRC. Serve as an operational engineer for AFRC projects which may include manned or unmanned projects to develop and assist in the development of advanced autonomous aircraft system technologies, development and implementation of flight vehicle integration procedures across all required disciplines and organizations inside and outside of NASA.

• Support aircraft flight operations, modifications, maintenance planning, and troubleshooting including aircraft Weight and Balance activities.
• Maintain Aircraft Configuration management (flight and maintenance manuals) as required including management and disposition of Time Compliance Technical Order (TCTO), Airworthiness Directives, and Maintenance Directives (MDs) as required.
• Support NASA aircraft safety processes
• Prepare and manage Certificate of Authorization (COAs)
• Support Flight test planning and test card development
• Perform airspace coordination within restricted airspace and National Airspace
• Participate in Operations Working Groups (OWGs), Mission Rule Working Groups (MRWGs), Systems Safety Working Groups (SSWGs),
• Participate (or lead) in pre-mission deployments representing the Ops Engineering branch

• Develop procedures for assembly, installation and integration of scientific instruments into NASA’s aircraft;
• Coordinate and develop procedures for the proper and safe installation of pyrotechnic devices and or Flight Termination Systems;
• Develop procedures for proper assembly, installation and integration of scientific instruments in support of the Science Mission Directorate and of Earth science research requiring high-altitude, long-distance airborne capability;
• Develop and/or modify existing procedures for the proper installation and integration of experiments supporting environmental science research, conducting flight demonstrations for expanded markets, missions and airborne capabilities that are compatible with NASA’s wide-ranging Earth-observation activities which are critical to developing responses to environmental change here and around the world;
• Analyze project objectives and requirements, develop plans for conducting projects, provide support for the project safety review process, including participation in the development of Failure Modes and Effects Analysis, documentation of hazards, and the specification and implementation of mitigations to those hazards. 
• Review project instructions to ascertain requirements, specifications, procedures, objectives, equipment, nature of technical problem, and possible solutions.
• Set up and conduct tests or studies of complete systems, components, or concepts under research test conditions to investigate proposals for improving performance or other factors; or to obtain data for development, standardization, and quality control with some supervisory direction and review.
• Record test or report procedures and results, numerical and graphical data, and make recommendations for changes.
• Create reports and other documentation necessary to describe the results of studies and/or tests.
• Analyze indicated and calculated results in relation to requirements, specifications, or test objectives.
• Mentors engineers in specific technical areas and/or the system engineering process and project management principles.
• Perform work in accordance with NASA ISO AS9100 procedures and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Follow the safe practices and rules contained in the Safety and Health plan and other such rules and practices communicated on the job.
• Report status to Senior Technical Lead and/or Task Focal Point in standardized format on or before due date.

   

  *This list is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities.

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
• Must have 7 years of experience with a bachelor's degree in engineering or physical science OR 4 years of experience and an Advanced Degree (master's or PhD) in Engineering or Physical Science (preferred).

Knowledge, skills & abilities required:

• Experience in one or more of the following technology areas are highly desirable: manned or unmanned aircraft operations, Time Compliance Technical Order (TCTO), Airworthiness Directives, and Maintenance Directives (MDs), flight test planning and execution, aircraft safety processes.
• Application of Engineering principles and Systems Engineering processes.
• Must be able to work in a dynamic and multi-task work environment by prioritizing work and coordinating task/project schedules.
• Must be able to manage and decompose requirements in specific technical areas.
• Must embrace safety principles to include adhering to safe work practices and standards while performing daily tasks, taking responsibility for own and coworkers’ safekeeping and encouraging others to work safely.
• Must maintain a positive work atmosphere by behaving and communicating in a manner to get along with customers, clients, co-workers and management.
• Must perform work activities requiring interaction, negotiating, instructing, supervising, persuading or speaking with others.
• Strong communications and ability to work in a team environment a must.
• Must pass drug testing.
• Must be able to read and write effectively in English.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work as a part of a larger team is required.
• Must be able to work under supervision and respond appropriately and professionally to criticism from a supervisor.
• Must be able to work within core hours of 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Flexibility may be required based on workload.
• Travel requirements – some travel is anticipated both locally and long distance by car or plane.