Mission Planning Test Engineer, F-16 Test Lead

Job Description:

This position provides support to the United States Air Force 45 th Test Squadron based at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida as a member of our mission planning software team. The Mission Planning Systems Test Team conducts independent assessments on Air Force mission planning systems to determine if the software is suitable for operational use.

If you enjoy working in a fast-paced, "Agile" software development environment, directly supporting warfighter mission planning, this is the team for you. This position supports the U.S. Air Force's F-16 Mission Planning System. If you have the desire to ensure the mission planning software meets Air Combat Command needs, this is the job for you.

We are looking for aviation professionals (pilots, navigators, weapon system officers and combat system officers), with Air Combat Command (ACC) experience (mission planning, weapons delivery, smart weapons, defensive management systems, data links). Test experience (requirements, test planning, test execution and reporting) is desired but not required. Professional interaction and communication with non-collocated team members (developers, program managers, Major Command representatives, military users, other test agencies) is essential.

Testing activities will occur at both onsite and offsite locations. When executing offsite test events, work hours can be extended and may vary. Events are typically 1-2 weeks in length, with estimated Travel requirements being 1 week per quarter. This support includes the following:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide mission planning domain expertise and frequently serve as the final authority on software integration, test, and deployment.
• Provide mission planning domain expertise in questions/issues of critical importance to the customer.
• Plan tests, establish criteria, assess program effectiveness, and investigate/analyze unusual testing conditions, problems, or questions. Work facilitates software development, production, design, or procurement, and affects the efficiency or productivity of a test facility or test activity. Software evaluations may result in new testing techniques or involve assessments, which are often the basis for large expenditures.
• Plan, coordinate, and monitor test projects that frequently require significant modifications of standard practices or adaptation of instrumentation to obtain valid results. Plan, monitor and evaluate tests, and assess the feasibility and soundness of proposed evaluation methods. Make recommendations and commitments to program management leadership/personnel.
• Demonstrate software experience with Windows 10 or newer environments.
• Demonstrate strong aviation or mission planning experience with functions provided by the software including operational use of comparable systems.
• Maintain a working knowledge of the software or software class being tested, to include experience with the existing software, previous versions, future versions or any associated software used in conjunction with the software being tested. Ability to conduct mission planning using JMPS is highly desirable.
• Maintain testing/test methodology experience, including testing of software/hardware, such as unit, integration, system, or acceptance testing, and familiarity with Air Force directives, processes and procedures.
• Maintain experience in the developmental/operational testing of any research, development, or test and evaluation software associated with aircraft, weapons, range instrumentation, or other computer systems.
• Maintain experience in the use of automated mission planning software.
• Be able to travel to attend required meetings (such as Program Management Reviews, Engineering Design Reviews, Formal Qualification Tests, and other mission planning enterprise/program meetings) CONUS and OCONUS.
• Normally work 40 hours per week. Must be willing to work extended hours, including weekends and holidays, when required, to meet mission requirements.

At COLSA, people are our most valuable resource and centered at our core value. We invite you to unite your talents with opportunity and be a part of our "Family of Professionals!" Learn about our employee-centric culture and benefits here .

Required Experience

Required Qualifications

• Must have one of the following combinations of education and experience:
  • Master's degree in computer science, computer engineering, or a related technical field and 10 years of applicable experience.
  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, or a related technical field and 18 years of applicable experience.
  • High School diploma (or equivalent) and a minimum of 22 years of applicable experience.
• U.S. Citizenship required; Active DoD TOP SECRET clearance (Single Scope Background Investigation).
• Must have a demonstrated ability to work effectively on a team and to lead and direct the work of others.
• Must possess a thorough knowledge of and extensive experience/training in the problem domain of the mission planning software being tested; this includes extensive general experience as an ACC military aircrew member (pilots, navigators, weapon system officers and combat system officers) accomplishing mission planning procedures and techniques.
• Must be able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, including communication skills in areas of technical writing, briefings, and formal presentations.
• Must have or be able to obtain DOD 8570.01-M IAT Level 2 certification (Security+CE) or higher within 6 months of hire and maintain certification throughout employment.

Preferred Skills and Qualifications:

• F-16 flight planning experience.
• Air Combat Command fighter experience (data links, smart weapons, defensive management systems).
• Ability to conduct mission planning using JMPS is highly desirable.
• Proficiency in the use and integration of Microsoft Office applications is highly desired.
• Proficiency with mission planning developmental or operational testing is highly desired.
• Understanding and experience with Agile software development processes and procedures are highly desirable.
• Active IAT Level 2 Certification

Applicant selected will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. COLSA Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Minorities/Females/Veterans/Disabled. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.