AEDC Test Engineer

Job Description Summary

Job Description

Roles & Responsibilities

• Serve as on-site technical focal at AEDC, working side-by-side with the AEDC Integration Engineer to coordinate day-to-day test activities with AEDC and GE teams.
• Act as Test Director to plan and lead engine test campaigns, including requirements translation, test planning, engine/rig-to-facility integration, hardware and instrumentation coordination, and overall test readiness.
• Own test cell readiness and operations, including configuration control, tooling and consumables, workspace stewardship, and coordination of mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation work.
• Manage full test lifecyclefrom planning and hardware receipt through assembly, data systems setup, test execution, and post-test teardown, ensuring adherence to GE engineering, quality, and EHS standards.
• Maintain clear, proactive communicationon priorities, schedules, risks, and status with AEDC, internal GE stakeholders, and external customers; prepare and present technical data and recommendations with minimal oversight.
• Ensure compliance with security and regulatory requirements, including defense program security controls for facility, personnel, data handling, and export control.
• Analyze and validate test data, document and communicate results, and influence test decisions, product improvements, and future infrastructure planning.
• Capture lessons learned and drive continuous improvementin test execution, quality, efficiency, and safety; update standard work and share best practices across engine and test teams.
• Mentor and provide technical guidanceto on-site GE engineers and technicians, demonstrating strong horizontal leadership and influencing priorities across functions.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, or Computer Science; or a high school diploma / GED with at least 6 years of experience in Design/Test Engineering.
• At least 8 years of experience in an engineering role, including significant exposure to development engine and/or rig test environments.
• Demonstrated experience in test planning and execution, including engine/rig-to-facility integration, hardware coordination, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Ability and willingness to work full-time on-site at AEDC (Tullahoma, TN), in accordance with security, base-access, and test campaign requirements.
• Willingness to travel off base approximately 25% for trainings, planning, and test support demand.
• This role requires the successful candidate to maintain a US Government Security Clearance; prerequisite for a security clearance is U.S. Citizenship. Preference will be given to candidates who currently hold US Government Security Clearance
• Strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to present technical information to internal and external customers.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound engineering and operational judgment with minimal oversight.

Desired Characteristics

• Self-motivated and driven, with a strong sense of ownership for test outcomes and site performance.
• Deep knowledge of fulfillment, assembly, instrumentation, and test disciplines, including complex engine and rig test experience.
• Familiarity with the GE Aerospace development test network, TSE departments, and test facility operations.
• Experience working at AEDC or within DoD/Defense test facilities and processes.
• Established project management skills, with the ability to coordinate several test projects or campaigns simultaneously.
• Experience with finance and scheduling tools (e.g., Open Plan, Clarity) and data/analytics tools (e.g., Spotfire).
• Demonstrated application of lean principles and tools (such as FLIGHT DECK concepts) to drive continuous improvement in test operations.
• Very strong oral, written, and documentation skills, including preparation of test plans, procedures, and technical reports.
• Confident interpersonal, teaming, and leadership skills; proven ability to influence across functions and organizational levels.
• Prior supervisory experience or demonstrated capability directing small technical teams.
• Experience working with DoD and/or Defense customers; active DoD Security Clearance at the Secret level or higher preferred.