Flight Tester Director Job Listing at SAIC in Huntsville, AL (Job ID 2611579)

Description

Description

SAIC is seeking a highly experienced Flight Test Director to support the NSWC Crane Multi-Service Advanced Capabilities Hypersonic Test Bed (MACH-TB) Test Execution Team located in Huntsville, AL. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in executing hypersonic flight test missions, overseeing mission planning and execution, and directing multi-disciplinary teams to accomplish high-stakes objectives in a dynamic environment. The ideal candidate will leverage their extensive experience in flight test operations, team leadership, and mission execution within the defense industry.

The Flight Test Director will be responsible for but not limited to the following duties: 

• Provide leadership and oversight as the  for hypersonic flight test operations, ensuring preparedness and effective collaboration among Mission Execution Team (MET) members, including stakeholders such as NSWC Crane, combatant commands, DOT&E, and other external agencies.
• Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of complex, multi-phase hypersonic test campaigns, including action item management, resource allocation, risk analysis, and contingency planning.
• Prepare and execute mission-critical documentation, including Checklists, Test Constraints Documents, Launch Decision Briefings, Communications Matrices, and Test Plans, to support mission walk-up activities.
• Direct cross-functional teams on-site during test execution at various test facilities, ensuring successful completion of planned objectives even under compressed timelines and challenging circumstances.
• Develop strategies for robust system integration, ensuring distributed assets are synchronized and meet system performance benchmarks.
• Chair working group sessions, support on console training, and conduct readiness briefings to prepare test personnel.
• Adjudicate on-site test observations, mitigating risks, and ensuring data collection supports robust system evaluation and operational readiness assessments.
• Mentor and train junior test engineers, technical personnel, and early-career professionals, fostering knowledge transfer and skill-building through direct guidance and oversight.

Qualifications

Required Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineer Discipline and nine (9) years' experience; additional four (4) years' experience can be considered in lieu of degree. 

Required Clearance: 

• Must possess an active Top Secret/SCI Clearance with the ability to maintain; US Citizenship required. 

Required Skills: 

• 8+ years of experience in flight test planning, management, and execution within the Department of Defense (DoD).
• Demonstrated experience as a Mission Test Director or equivalent with a proven record of success in overseeing and directing test missions, including multi-phase campaigns with distributed assets.
• Expertise in authoring mission-critical documents such as execution checklists, test constraints, and risk mitigation plans.
• Skilled in leading cross-functional teams and collaboration with key stakeholders, including government organizations, combatant commands, and external agencies.
• Recognized ability to solve complex problems autonomously while maintaining composure under high-pressure scenarios.
• Strong understanding of hypersonic systems, missile defense, and related test architectures.

Desired Skills:

• Previous experience with the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), particularly as part of the Flight Test Directorate.
• Knowledge of hypersonic test beds, including MACH-TB systems or equivalent advanced defense platforms.
• Familiarity with Wallops, Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) and other test sites.
• Hands-on experience with integrating and evaluating high-risk defense systems, including large-scale multi-stakeholder test campaigns.

Required Certifications:

• Defense Acquisition University (DAU) Certifications:
  • Practitioner Level Certification in Test & Evaluation
  • Level II - Test & Evaluation
  • Level I - Systems Engineering

Why Join Us?     At SAIC, you'll have the opportunity to contribute to critical national defense programs while working with a team of experts passionate about advancing cutting-edge hypersonic technologies. As part of the MACH-TB initiative, you will be at the forefront of testing and validating the future of hypersonic advanced capabilities. We offer a collaborative work environment that values innovation, continuous learning, and mission success.