Flight Test Mission Engineer

This role is for a Mission Execution Engineer supporting the Flight Test Group at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. The position involves supporting mission operations, planning, coordination, and execution tracking, as well as serving as a decision support and escalation point during missions. The engineer will coordinate across disciplines, support sponsor communications, and ensure equipment readiness and data delivery. The role requires full-time on-site presence and involves travel of 25% to 45%.

Responsibilities

• Support mission operations multiple times each year, with travel expectations of 25% to 45%, including occasional deployments of two to six weeks in remote locations.
• Supports mission planning, coordination, execution tracking, and delivery of mission objectives
• Coordinate and contribute across all LIDSS disciplines (Mission Execution, optics, analysis, development, etc.), ensuring alignment of people, equipment, schedules, and deliverables
• Serves as the decision support and escalation point during missions, ensuring issues are resolved quickly and mission objectives remain on track
• Support sponsor communications by providing mission readiness assessments, including clear communication of readiness status (e.g., Green/Yellow/Red) and associated risks
• Partners closely with the Field Lead to ensure all required equipment is properly planned, shipped, and available in the field, acting as a cross-check for completeness and readiness
• Ensures timely and accurate delivery of data review packages and all other relevant reports and analysis
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. Citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Experience developing program plans, schedules, milestones, and deliverables
• Ability to coordinate roles, responsibilities, resources, and priorities across multiple organizations
• Knowledge of budgeting, funding processes, and resource allocation
• Ability to develop a working understanding of technical mission requirements and support systems
• Skill in building and maintaining strong sponsor and customer relationships
• Ability to identify inefficiencies and recommend process improvements to enhance mission or program success

Nice to have

• PMP Certification
• The ability to maintain a positive attitude in the face of adversity
• Ability to manage changing priorities and support evolving mission requirements
• Experience identifying program risks, developing mitigation strategies, and resolving issues proactively
• Strong problem solving skills with demonstrated ability to analyze complex problems, identify practical solutions, and implement effective courses of action in a timely manner.

Benefits

• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)