Flight Research Engineer

Serve as a senior technical lead supporting CyPhER Forge digital twin development, validation, and live demonstration. Lead or contribute to the planning, coordination, and execution of accelerated flight-sciences test campaigns that generate high-value empirical data for digital twin assimilation, model refinement, and AI agent training/evaluation. Perform real-time and post-flight data analysis, comparing digital twin outputs against measured engineering quantities of interest; identify anomalies, refine models, quantify confidence/margins in the flight envelope, and support adaptive test plan updates While supporting under the DARPA PM, coordinate with TPS faculty/staff, students, 412th Test Wing / Air Force Test Center elements, industry partners, modelers, and AI/ML teams for aircraft availability, modifications, range support, resources, and integrated test events. Upon DARPA direction, perform the research focused, operations engineering associated with the X-62 aircraft (after the extensive Mission System Upgrade (MSU) modification), which include: Assisting the TPS dean of flight research (DFR) to coordinate research efforts and their associated test missions efforts that could utilize the X-62, including TPS Test Management Projects (TMPs). Aircraft configuration control, operations security, and scheduling Test Execution - Conductor/Director duties Develop, review, and approve test plans, safety plans/Test Hazard Analyses, test cards, instrumentation requirements, data collection strategies, and configuration control documents tailored to research objectives. Perform curriculum based instructional activities to include onboard instruction, as required. Work well in a team environment as well as independently. Experience with digital engineering, digital twins, physics-informed or surrogate modeling, uncertainty quantification, or data assimilation. Experience running or executing missions from a Mission Control Room. Experience generating test plans, flight test mission material, post-mission & detailed final reports. USAF Test Pilot School Graduate or similar Experience with AI/ML and autonomous aircraft systems. Experience with research programs within the military flight test domain. Wide breadth of aircraft test related experience, examples include sensors, EW, T-2 modifications, fight dynamics/performance, aircraft systems, and system networks. Direct experience or extensive familiarization with DoD Class II modification processes, aircraft airworthiness & approvals, and aircraft H/W & S/W configuration control. Developmental Test experience Bachelor's degree in a STEM field Secret clearance is required. Ability to obtain TS/SCI U.S. Citizenship is required The expected pay range for this position in California is $150,000/year to $220,000/year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on established government contract ranges, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, and other factors. Base pay information is based on market location. LI-RR1 mtsi LI-Onsite