Contract Aerospace Engineering Jobs (NOW HIRING)

JRAD is seeking candidates for an upcoming Aerospace Engineer (Senior) position supporting the U.S. Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center (AFOTEC), Detachment 6 (DET 6) – Fighter Test Services (FTS). This position is located at Nellis AFB, NV. 

The Aerospace Engineer (Senior) provides advanced engineering expertise in support of operational test and evaluation (OT&E) of fighter aircraft systems under the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center (AFOTEC) Detachment 6 Fighter Test Services contract.

Applies comprehensive knowledge of aeronautical engineering principles, aircraft systems, and flight sciences to evaluate system performance, integration, and mission effectiveness in operational environments. Supports analysis of air vehicle performance, avionics, weapons integration, and mission systems across live flight testing, distributed test environments, and the Joint Simulation Environment (JSE).

Serves as a senior technical authority contributing to test planning, execution, analysis, and reporting, ensuring engineering rigor and operational relevance in support of AFOTEC evaluation objectives.

Roles/Responsibilities:

• Apply advanced aerospace engineering principles to assess aircraft performance, system integration, and mission effectiveness under operational conditions 
• Support development and execution of operational test plans, including definition of test objectives, scenarios, and evaluation criteria 
• Analyze flight test data, telemetry, and system outputs to evaluate aircraft performance, reliability, and suitability 
• Evaluate integration and performance of aircraft subsystems, including avionics, propulsion, weapons systems, sensors, and communications systems 
• Support modeling and simulation (M&S) activities, including validation and correlation of simulation results with flight test data 
• Conduct engineering analyses, trade studies, and performance assessments to inform system evaluation and decision-making 
• Identify technical risks, anomalies, and performance issues, and provide recommendations for mitigation or further investigation 
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including operations research analysts, test engineers, intelligence analysts, and program management personnel 
• Support mission planning and execution for operational test events, including pre-mission preparation and post-mission analysis 
• Develop and review technical documentation, including test reports, engineering assessments, and evaluation summaries 
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior and journeyman engineers 
• Ensure compliance with applicable engineering standards, safety requirements, and security protocols

Required Skills and Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline
• 10 or more years of relevant professional experience in aerospace engineering, flight test, aircraft systems analysis, or related technical fields
• Experience supporting operational test and evaluation (OT&E) activities within AFOTEC or similar test organizations
• Familiarity with fighter aircraft systems (e.g., F-35, F-16, F-15) and air combat operations 
• Experience with Joint Simulation Environment (JSE) or other modeling and simulation environments 
• Experience with aircraft mission systems, weapons integration, or sensor systems 
• Flight test experience or familiarity with flight test processes and instrumentation
• Familiarity with the following tools and technologies: engineering analysis tools (e.g., MATLAB, Simulink, or equivalent); data analysis tools and programming languages (e.g., Python, MATLAB); modeling and simulation environments and tools; data visualization and reporting tools
• Demonstrated experience applying aerospace engineering principles to aircraft systems, performance analysis, or flight test activities 
• Experience supporting test and evaluation (T&E), systems engineering, or aircraft integration efforts 
• Experience analyzing flight test data and assessing system performance in operational environments 
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams supporting complex technical programs 
• Experience conducting engineering analyses, trade studies, and technical assessments

Security Clearance:

• Top Secret Required
• SCI Preferred

When you work for JRAD you will never be just a number. We put people before profits!  

JRAD is committed to the health and well-being of its employees. We offer more paid time off than the average company upon hire and the following benefits are available to all full-time employees:  

• Health Insurance  
• Dental Insurance  
• Vision Insurance  
• Life & Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance  
• Section 125 Flexible Spending Accounts for unreimbursed medical & dependent day care  
• Disability Insurance  
• 401K Plan  
• Tuition Reimbursement  

JRAD is an equal opportunity employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

The JRAD salary range for this position is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. There are many factors considered when determining the compensation provided in an offer. These factors include, but are not limited to position responsibilities, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and contract terms and conditions. 

PLEASE NOTE: Once you apply, to ensure you continue to receive important updates on your application and status, please add JRAD to your approved email list and/or check your spam and junk mail often for updates.