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Research & Development Manager, Tactical Aircraft Description ATAC Research & Development Manager, Tactical Aircraft About Textron

Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Flight, Cessna, Beechcraft, Hawker, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, and Textron Systems. For more information visit: www.textron.com.

About ATAC

Airborne Tactical Advantage Company (ATAC), a division of Textron Systems, provides tactical flight training and adversary services. Textron’s extensive global reach makes for an incomparable training resource, not only for the U.S. military but also for foreign militaries across the globe. ATAC currently provides tactical flight training and adversary aggressor services for U.S. Navy, Marine and Air Force pilots and is actively pursuing many foreign programs as well. ATAC operates simultaneously across five Navy/Marine Corps sites and three Air Force sites spanning across two continents and comprises the world’s largest outsourced civilian, tactical airborne training organization. ATAC proudly provides the highest quality live training to Squadrons, Air Wings, and Battle Groups, and was also the first civilian organization authorized to train the Navy’s TOPGUN pilots and the USAF’s F-22 Raptor pilots.

Summary

ATAC’s Research & Development Manager for Tactical Aircraft will primarily be responsible for research and evaluation of existing fighter and/or attack aircraft that can effectively be integrated into ATAC’s fleet. This position will report to the Director of Research & Development and will also support the Program Managers directly responsible for upgrades to ATAC’s fleet of aircraft as required by existing and future customers.

Job Responsibilities

• Research existing fighter aircraft that can cost-effectively be integrated into ATACs fleet of aircraft in order to develop winning technical solutions for future proposals.
• Assist with drafting Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to industry or foreign governments in order to gain firm pricing and schedule of potential future aircraft.
• Assist the Director of R&D in evaluating potential aircraft acquisitions or modernization upgrades that will satisfy current and future U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force Contracted Air Services (CAS) requirements.
• Assist the R&D Senior Manager of Tactical Mission Systems with integration of electro-optical/infra-red (EO/IR) sensors, electronic warfare (EW) equipment, active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars, and helmet mounted cueing systems (HMCS) onto ATAC aircraft.
• Assist the R&D Chief Engineer with developing and managing systems-level requirements for aircraft avionics, sensors, and systems that meet the customer’s needs and can be used for effective subcontracting.
• Assist the Capture Manager with proposal development, including developing strategy, advocating technical solutions, writing content and editing the work of others.
• Assist aircraft Program Managers with requirements derivation, management, verification and validation efforts.
• Assist aircraft Program Managers with Test & Evaluation planning and execution.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in relevant Engineering field (required)
• Master’s Degree in Engineering or Business related field (desired)
• Test Pilot School graduate (required)
• 8 years of industry and government experience in fighter aircraft mission and radar systems integration, test and evaluation (required)
• Former military service (required)
• Active Top Secret clearance (required)
• Ability to attain and maintain Special Access Program clearance requirements (required)
• Defense Acquisition University coursework in Test & Evaluation, Systems Engineering, Logistics, Acquisition, Risk Management, and/or Intellectual Property & Data Rights (required)

Special Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Accountability for achieving challenging goals
• Able to work independently and in groups to achieve positive results
• Mature and diplomatic approach to relationships
• Initiative to take concepts from first idea to mature proposal offerings
• Professional curiosity and a mindset of continual learning
• Adaptable to change in a fast-paced and dynamic aviation environment
• Experience with operating 4th/5thgeneration fighter aircraft with AESA Radars
• Experience with operating Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems in fighter aircraft
• Experience testing Handling Qualities and Systems Integration of fighter aircraft
• Experience with system-level requirements generation/management on fighter aircraft
• Experience reporting verification/validation test results to program management.
• Experience with test & evaluation of installed systems on fighter aircraft

Minimum Qualifications

• Previously qualified DoD-trained Fighter Pilot
• Previously qualified 4-Ship/Division Flight Lead
• 700 hours Pilot in Command (PIC) of any fixed wing DOD-owned/operated fighter aircraft
• 100 hours PIC at night
• Logged 100 hours PIC time in the past 12 months
• Current FAA First Class Medical Certificate
• FAA Single Engine, Commercial Certificate with Instrument Privileges
• Secret Security Clearance, US Citizen

Specific Contract Qualifications

• 1000 hours PIC of a military tactical aircraft
• 500 hours Pilot in Command (PIC) of any fixed wing DOD-owned/operated fighter aircraft

Desired Qualifications

• USAF WIC graduate, USAF adversary qualification
• USNFWS/NAWDC/TOPGUN graduate
• TPS graduate
• DoD military Instructor Pilot qualification
• Mission Commander qualification
• Military or Civilian Flight Examiner qualification
• Functional Check Flight Pilot qualification
• NVG Instructor, CRM Instructor
• FAA CFI(I) Certificate
• Familiarization with DoD Commercial Air Services industry
• FAA Authorized Experimental Aircraft (AEA) privileges (list types)
• DoD Safety School or Board President Course graduate
• Squadron Command experience
• Active fighter flying (for each fighter type, provide total hours, date of last sortie)
• Actively flying (provide 1-year look-back per active aircraft type)

How We Care

At Textron Systems, our talented people make us successful. We promote an inclusive environment where we value individuality, differences, and unique perspectives.

Our Company is committed to offering employees opportunities to grow and develop. Our benefits and compensation packages are designed to help our talented employees excel and achieve their goals, so they can make a difference every day in and outside of the workplace. Below are just a few examples!

• Flexible Work Schedules
• Education Assistance
• Career Development & Training Opportunities
• Wellness Program (including Fitness Reimbursement)
• Medical, Dental, Vision & 401(K) with Company Funding
• Paid Parental Leave

Are you a Military Veteran?

Textron's products and services are trusted everyday by those who protect our country. We are dedicated to hiring these Veterans and aim to translate their skills to make an impact on our Company.

Textron’s compensation package includes competitive base pay and provides eligible employees with benefit programs. Benefits may include health insurance and prescription plan coverage, dental insurance, family building benefits, vision insurance, mental health resources, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and programs that provide employees time away from work. The pay range should be used as a general guide only. Compensation is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.

In compliance with the local pay transparency law, the pay range for this position is

$222,800.00 - $222,800.00 per year.

EEO Statement

Textron is committed to providing Equal Opportunity in Employment, to all applicants and employees regardless of race, color, religion, age, national origin, military status, veteran status, disability, sex (including pregnancy and sexual orientation), genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law.

Applicants selected will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements, including US Citizenship, for access to classified information.

Recruiting Company: Airborne Tactical Advantage Company (ATAC)
Primary Location: US-California-Point Mugu Nawc
Job Function: Flight Operations
Schedule: Full-time
Job Level: Individual Contributor
Job Type: Experienced
Shift: First Shift
Travel: Yes, 25 % of the Time
Job Posting: 03/16/2026, 6:31:18 PM
Job Number: 340334