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Operations Engineer Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Operations Engineer, SSD Startup

Nashville, TN · On-site

$67K - $90K/yr

As a Sub Same Day [SSD] Operations Engineer, you will lead and manage the lifecycle of challenging cross-functional projects. You are a customer-obsessed leader who will play an integral part in the ...

... Operations Engineer to join our team! You will design and develop solutions to complex application problems and deployment solutions. Looking to evolve "Coder" to a DevOps Master. Responsibilities ...

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Operations Engineer information

See Tennessee salary details

$32.7K

$77.2K

$122.5K

How much do operations engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for operations engineer in Tennessee is $77,173.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $63,100.00 and $85,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Operations Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Operations Engineer, you need a strong background in systems engineering, troubleshooting, and process optimization, often supported by a degree in engineering or a related field. Familiarity with monitoring tools, automation platforms, and IT infrastructure management systems, as well as certifications like AWS Certified SysOps Administrator or ITIL, is highly beneficial. Strong problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and effective communication set outstanding candidates apart. These skills and qualifications are crucial for ensuring reliable operations, minimizing downtime, and supporting continuous improvement in complex technical environments.

What does an operations engineer do?

An operations engineer is responsible for managing and maintaining the infrastructure, systems, and processes that support an organization’s daily operations. They often work with automation tools, monitor system performance, troubleshoot issues, and implement improvements to ensure efficiency and reliability. Strong technical skills, knowledge of networking, scripting, and certifications like Cisco or Linux are commonly required in this role.

What engineers make $500,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as software engineering, petroleum engineering, and aerospace engineering can earn $500,000 or more annually, often through a combination of base salary, bonuses, and stock options. High compensation typically requires extensive experience, advanced skills, and working in high-demand industries or leadership roles.

What are some of the most common challenges Operations Engineers face when supporting complex infrastructure, and how can they address them?

Operations Engineers often encounter challenges such as maintaining system uptime, quickly resolving incidents, and managing configuration changes across large, distributed environments. These tasks require strong troubleshooting skills and effective communication with both development and IT teams. Keeping up with evolving technologies and automating routine processes can help mitigate these challenges. Proactively monitoring systems and participating in regular cross-functional meetings also ensures smoother operations and quicker response to issues.

What engineers make $200,000 a year?

Senior engineers in fields such as software engineering, petroleum engineering, and aerospace engineering often earn $200,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, specialized skills, and advanced certifications. High-paying engineering roles typically require expertise in complex projects, leadership responsibilities, or working in high-demand industries like technology, oil and gas, or defense.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior engineering roles such as Software Engineers, Data Engineers, and Petroleum Engineers can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, specialized skills, and in high-demand industries. These positions often require advanced technical expertise, certifications, and sometimes leadership responsibilities or working in competitive markets.

What are Operations Engineers?

Operations Engineers are professionals responsible for ensuring that a company's technical systems and processes run efficiently and effectively. They monitor, maintain, and optimize operations related to production, IT infrastructure, or other mission-critical systems. Their duties often include troubleshooting problems, implementing improvements, and coordinating with other teams to achieve organizational goals. Operations Engineers play a key role in minimizing downtime and maximizing productivity. They also help develop procedures and protocols to enhance safety, quality, and compliance.

What Does an Operations Engineer Do?

An operations engineer maintains a company's operations system. In this career, your primary responsibilities include designing heavy equipment layouts, assisting with technical operations, analyzing machinery, running tests, and implementing changes. You are in charge of conducting investigations and using engineering theories and principles to improve the computer systems. Your duties also include updating systems, repairing machinery, providing preemptive maintenance, and documenting operational procedures and processes. As an operations engineer, you must always be looking to improve quality and efficiency and cut costs.

What is the difference between Operations Engineer vs Network Engineer?

AspectOperations EngineerNetwork Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Engineering, IT, or related field; certifications like Cisco CCNA, CompTIA Network+Bachelor's in Computer Science, IT, or related; Cisco CCNA, CCNP certifications
Work EnvironmentIT infrastructure, data centers, cloud environmentsNetwork infrastructure, data centers, enterprise networks
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, data centers, cloud providersTelecommunications, ISPs, large enterprises
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding operational roles in IT infrastructureNetworking setup, maintenance, and troubleshooting

Operations Engineers focus on managing and optimizing overall IT and infrastructure operations, including cloud and data center environments. Network Engineers specialize in designing, implementing, and maintaining network systems. While both roles require networking certifications and work in similar environments, Operations Engineers have a broader scope, often overseeing multiple systems beyond just networks.

What are the most commonly searched types of Operations Engineer jobs in Tennessee? The most popular types of Operations Engineer jobs in Tennessee are:
What are popular job titles related to Operations Engineer jobs in Tennessee? For Operations Engineer jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Operations Engineer jobs in Tennessee look for? The top searched job categories for Operations Engineer jobs in Tennessee are:
What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Operations Engineer jobs? Cities in Tennessee with the most Operations Engineer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Operations Engineer jobs in TN? For Operations Engineer jobs in TN, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Operations Engineer job openings in Tennessee as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 99% Full Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $77,173 per year, or $37.1 per hour.

Mid-Career Test Operations Engineer - Propulsion

BNH

Arnold Air Force Base, TN • On-site

$93K - $123K/yr

Other

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 16 days ago


Job description

Overview
Job Title: Mid-Career Test Operations Engineer
Location: Arnold AFB, TN
Job Family Code: O-Engineering
Function/Branch: Engineering / Propulsion
Directorate: Test Operations
Position Type: Regular, Full-Time
Pay Type: Exempt
Sponsorship: Position Not Sponsored.
Grade: L08 (OA0811) - L09 (OA0911)
Salary Range: Grade 08: $93,000 - $123,000; Grade 09: $109,000 - $146,000 / year
Overview
Beyond New Horizons, LLC (BNH) has an exciting opportunity for a Test Operations Engineer in our Propulsion Test Group, supporting the Test Operations and Sustainment contract at Arnold Engineering Development Complex at Arnold Air Force Base, TN. The Test Operations Engineer will be working as a member of an integrated team in Propulsion responsible for operating and maintaining ground test facilities used for development and evaluation testing of propulsion systems such as turbojet and turbofan air breathing engines and ramjets in support of the United States Air Force Test Operations and Sustainment efforts.
Open to internal or external candidates. The selected candidate for this requisition must be available to work any shift to support test needs as mission requires.
Job Summary
We are looking for a Mechanical Engineer or Aerospace Engineer who wants to work in a multi-disciplinary team that plays a key role in supporting national defense. The engineer hired into this role acts as the "quarterback" in one of the control rooms responsible for planning and execution of test plans for testing. This position does require shift work to support testing as test load demands.
Our Test Operations Engineers provide technical direction for safe and reliable operation of test equipment and integration of a customer's test article to an Arnold Engineering Development Complex test bed. This work involves practical application of engineering principles of mechanics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, hydraulics, pneumatics, and materials of construction. These principles are applied through the use of engineering tools including generating risk assessments, test plans, work instructions, and other engineering documentation in support of testing.
As part of a multi-disciplinary team, test operations engineers interface with other engineering teams across the complex including plant operations and systems, controls, instrumentation, design, facility data analysis, and modeling and simulation engineers as well as a cadre of skilled labor to ensure reliable operation and ability to meet future test needs.
Test Operations Engineers also provide system engineer capabilities as part of a team of mechanical and electrical engineers whose job it is to oversee installation, operation, sustainment, and troubleshooting of their assigned test cell equipment and systems. Some examples of test systems in various facilities include thrust determination and force measurement systems, fuel systems, icing systems, combustors, nozzles, water systems, gaseous nitrogen systems, hydraulic systems, lubrication oil systems, high pressure air systems, service air systems, liquid nitrogen systems, various sensors, etc. that are needed to reliably provide test data to our customers.
Job Duties:
  • Learn and understand test systems; requires the ability to respond and make decisions quickly to alarms/alerts in fast paced, high pressure situations, ensuring the safety of the test crew, the facility, and the test article
  • Respond when systems malfunction during a test, troubleshooting and directing corrective maintenance activities (or calling in the appropriate systems engineer for additional support)
  • Coordinate work with the appropriate area superintendent, craft supervisor, and / or work planner and provide technical leadership to the craft workforce in execution of work orders and operational / maintenance procedures (work instructions, WIs), Lock-Out / Tag-Out (LOTO), critical lifts, etc
  • Ensure proper test / operations reporting (Ops Center, test resumes, Operating Test Logs, Test Unit Status Logs, Test Article Activity Logs, unplanned event reporting, etc.)
  • Perform facility characterization/ calibrations, monitor facility performance, and maintain system capability / performance maps and envelopes
  • Test operations engineers also operate as system engineers for equipment within or directly providing support to the test cell facility and may engage in some small design and analysis tasks as needed
  • Operate assigned test cell systems effectively
  • Work to develop the test operational requirements (test period directives, detailed run programs, etc.) ensuring test article mounts are structurally sound to withstand expected test
  • Direct test system checkouts and testing as required
  • Work with multidiscipline engineers, physicists, and skilled craft technicians in the test control room in operating the facility systems
  • Work extra hours and/or support off shift testing as required
  • Communicate clearly and utilize various methods of communication
  • It is a condition of employment to wear company issued PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) in accordance with supervisory direction and company policy
  • Perform other related duties as required

Basic Qualifications:
  • BS degree in mechanical engineering or aerospace engineering from an accredited college or university
  • Grade L08: A minimum of 5 years' progressive and relevant engineering experience
  • Grade L09: A minimum of 8 years' progressive and relevant engineering experience
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance and the AEDC local area network
  • Due to Air Force Security requirements, U.S. Citizenship is required for employment at AEDC

Preferred Qualifications
  • Practical application of technical knowledge of mechanical engineering systems, applications of engineering methods and construction methods and materials, and application of computer aided engineering (CAE)/computer aided design (CAD) tools to engineering problems
  • Multi-disciplinary knowledge or experience (electrical engineering, mechatronics, control systems, etc.) is a plus
  • Ability to work in a dynamic environment with flexibility to accomplish mission objectives
  • Strong communication skills (including verbal and written) and demonstrated ability to make decisions in a high pressure, time sensitive environment
  • Demonstrated experience successfully building relationships with team across engineering and craft workforce
  • Strong organizational skills to track and facilitate progress on projects
  • Demonstrated proactiveness and initiate to drive to results
  • Exhibits strong level of technical curiosity and desire to seek understanding
  • Active Department of Defense Secret Security Clearance

What We Offer
  • Competitive salaries
  • Continuing education assistance
  • Multiple healthcare benefits packages
  • 401K with employer matching
  • Paid time off (PTO) along with a federally recognized holiday schedule

Who We Are
Beyond New Horizons (BNH) is a fully populated joint venture of Astrion and Fluor Federal Services, Inc. formed to provide unmatched Test Operations and Sustainment services for the Arnold Engineering Development Complex. We chose our name to serve as an enduring reminder of our commitment to AEDC's rich aerospace research and development legacy anchored in AEDC's Toward New Horizons founding study and the unprecedented opportunities to greatly expand AEDC's capabilities and capacity Beyond those existing today. Leveraging the capabilities of our parent companies, BNH specializes in testing and evaluation for military and space systems combined with proven capability in large-scale Government program management, integration, engineering, and construction services for specialized and technically advanced high-hazard facilities.
Join our Team!
U.S. Citizenship is required. At this time BNH will not sponsor any applicants for employment authorization or offer any immigration related support for this position (i.e. H1b, F1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT, F-1 CPT, J-1, E-2, E-3, L-1, or other forms of work authorization that require immigration support from an employer).
The minimum and maximum full-time annual salaries for this role are listed below, by location. Please note that this salary information is solely for candidates hired to perform work within one of these locations and refers to the amount BNH is willing to pay at the time of this posting. Salaries for part-time jobs will be adjusted based upon the number of hours agreed to work.
Grade 08: $93,000 - $123,000; Grade 09: $109,000 - $146,000 / year at Arnold AFB, TN
BNH is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, veteran status, and any other grounds for discrimination prohibited by applicable law.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training