Environmental Test Project Engineer 

Job Summary 

The Vehicle Systems Division (VSD) sits at the center of the ideas and data behind current and future systems supplying innovative research and development; technical evaluations during the acquisition process; conceptual and detailed design; assembly, integration, and test; and operational support. Comprised primarily of highly-trained mechanical and aerospace engineers, VSD provides national expertise in the areas of vehicle engineering; guidance, navigation, and controls; robotics; electro-mechanical devices; embedded systems; fluid mechanics; propulsion; thermal control; orbital mechanics; mechanisms; structures; structural dynamics; and dynamic environments.  

The Structural Dynamics and Environments Department is in the Structural Mechanics Subdivision, Vehicle Systems Division, and its mission is to provide to our internal and external customers the highest quality technical expertise in the areas of analytical, experimental, flexible, and rigid body dynamics for the design, development, acquisition, and operation of launch, orbital, and missile systems.  We specialize in spacecraft and launch vehicle dynamics; environmental test planning, execution, and assessment; time series data analysis; independent integrated spacecraft/launch vehicle coupled loads analysis; and flexible system separation analysis and testing. As an Environmental Test Project Engineer (Engineering Specialist or Senior Engineering Specialist- Aeronautical and Acoustics Engineering), you will provide expertise in the field of dynamic environments and environmental test to the Missile Defense Agency and other customers. 

Work Model 

This is a full-time position nominally based in El Segundo, CA, Huntsville, AL or Colorado Springs, CO, with additional consideration at any of Aerospace’s national locations within the U.S. This role offers a hybrid work model that combines (3) regular onsite workdays and remote flexibility as the business needs allow.   

What You’ll Be Doing  

• Serve as a test architect who can assist with evaluating the comprehensive test requirements of SMC-S-016 and the appropriate included standards for Missile Defense Agency and other government programs

• Participate in SMC-S-016 requirements tailoring and implementation.  Assess system design options, performance tradeoffs, flow down of requirements, analysis of interfaces, test procedures and analysis and monitoring of contractor performance  

• Provide technical assessments of acoustics, shock, vibration analysis, test requirements and data results, qualification test plans and procedures, and risk assessments developed by contractors for components, subsystems, and related hardware, and provide appropriate feedback to program office, customers, and contractor.   Evaluate shock, vibration, and acoustic qualification status for vehicle components, subsystems, and related hardware 

• Provide test planning and on-site test support for development, qualification and acceptance testing of units and payloads

• Participate in Design Reviews, Test Readiness Reviews, (TRR), Test conduct and data review, and Failure Review Boards (FRB)   

• Serve as the integration leader or coordinator of a team of technical contributors.  When required, initiate, and manage project teams in multi-discipline collaborative work  

What You Need to be Successful  

Minimum Requirements for the Engineering Specialist – Aeronautical and Acoustics Engineering 

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field is required 

• A minimum of 8 –years of industry related experience in structural mechanics engineering is required 

• Demonstrated strong technical leadership skills and familiarity with analytical and test techniques for shock, vibration, and acoustics environments 

• Experience with applying, editing, tailoring, and maintaining shock, vibration, and acoustics environmental standards  

• Demonstrated ability to build interdisciplinary teams, both external (contractors) and internal (program office, customer, cross-discipline), and foster effective interpersonal relationships with management, peers, program offices, customers, and industry  

• Willingness to occasionally travel and support customer needs, approximately 10% (as required) 

• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.  

In addition to the above, the minimum requirements for the Senior Engineering Specialist- Aeronautical and Acoustics Engineering include:  

•   12  or more years of industry related experience in structural mechanics engineering is required 

How You Can Stand Out 

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these: 

• Advanced degree in a STEM field or related discipline with experience related to structural mechanics engineering is strongly preferred  

• Experience with Missile Defense Agency customer programs is highly desirable 

• Familiarity with SMC-S-016 and other military tests standards  

• A current and active Secret security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government is strongly preferred. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.