Senior Air Vehicle Systems Engineer, Hardware Verification, Integration & Validation
$166,000–$220,000 year
On-siteCosta Mesa, California, United States
Job Summary
Execute hardware verification and validation across the full product lifecycle, from design verification testing through environmental qualification, production acceptance, and ground and flight test. Demonstrate that all hardware meets system-level requirements and technical performance metrics before fielding, ensuring activities are planned, executed, and documented per the Systems Engineering Management Plan. Develop verification cross-reference matrices, test plans, and evidence packages while managing requirements traceability from system to component levels. Interpret qualification test reports and certificates of conformance to validate compliance with MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-461, and MIL-STD-464 standards.
Required Qualifications
- B.S. in aerospace, mechanical, electrical or similar engineering or technical field
- 7+ years of experience in systems engineering, hardware qualification, or test & evaluation in aerospace, defense, or similarly regulated industries
- Direct experience supporting environmental qualification testing of electronic or electromechanical hardware (e.g., LRUs, avionics, actuators)
- Working knowledge of MIL-STD-810 (environmental test methods: vibration, shock, temperature, altitude, humidity, salt fog, sand & dust)
- Familiarity with MIL-STD-461 (EMI/EMC: conducted/radiated emissions and susceptibility — CS101, CE102, RE102, RS103, CS114-CS118)
- Familiarity with MIL-STD-464 (electromagnetic environmental effects: bonding, HERP, HERO, TEMPEST)
- Understanding of MIL-STD-704 (aircraft electric power characteristics) as it applies to utilization equipment
- Understanding of verification methods (Test, Analysis, Demonstration, Inspection) and when each is appropriate
- Experience with requirements traceability — decomposing system-level requirements to component-level verification evidence
- Ability to read and interpret qualification test reports, certificates of conformance, and supplier technical data packages
- Experience with V&V planning: developing verification cross-reference matrices (VCRMs), test plans, and verification evidence packages
- Understanding of Qualification by Similarity (QBS) methodology, including similarity assessments and gap analysis for COTS/MOTS hardware
- Familiarity with the systems engineering V-model and how hardware qualification feeds into system-level acceptance
- Proficiency with requirements management tools (e.g., Jama, DOORS, Polarion)
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel for compliance matrices and data analysis, Word for test plans and reports, PowerPoint for technical reviews)
- U.S. citizenship
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance
Desired Qualifications
- 5+ years in hardware qualification or environmental test engineering
- Experience with DO-160 (RTCA environmental test standard) and cross-referencing DO-160 results against MIL-STD-810/461 requirements
- Experience with MIL-HDBK-310 (global climatic data) and its application to operational environment definition
- Hands-on experience directing or witnessing environmental testing at a qualification test lab
- Experience with Foundry, Confluence, or similar platforms for tracking qualification status and engineering data
- Experience supporting airworthiness or safety-of-flight qualification programs
- Familiarity with AS9100 or equivalent quality management systems
- Prior work on UAS, tactical aircraft, or similar defense platforms
- Active Secret clearance or higher
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