--- title: Senior Operations Engineer NASA AFRC description: AMERICAN SYSTEMS is hiring for the Senior Operations Engineer NASA AFRC role in Edwards, CA. See the full description and apply. type: job url: https://www.foundrole.com/jobs/senior-operations-engineer-nasa-afrc-at-american-systems-01a14433-fa5d-79ea-bdc3-33136d5b5e6d date: 2026-11-15T01:26:44Z og_description: Join AMERICAN SYSTEMS as Senior Operations Engineer NASA AFRC in Edwards, CA. Pays $100K–$155K per year. Full-time, on-site role. og_image: https://www.foundrole.com/og/1c804v.png breadcrumbs: - label: Home url: https://www.foundrole.com/ - label: Search url: https://www.foundrole.com/jobs --- | | | |---|---| | **Company** | AMERICAN SYSTEMS | | **Location** | Edwards, CA | | **Salary** | $100K/yr - $155K/yr | | **Type** | Full Time | | **Posted** | Oct 15, 2026 | ## Is this job real? **Ghost job check:** A- · Low risk. Probably a real opening. ## Visa sponsorship - **H-1B:** No H-1B sponsorship on record for AMERICAN SYSTEMS. - **E-Verify:** No E-Verify enrollment on record for AMERICAN SYSTEMS. ## Pay for similar jobs Most similar jobs pay $122,000 – $160,000 a year (median $138,000). ## Description ## Overview AMERICAN SYSTEMS, a **100% employee-owned** federal government contractor, is looking for an **Operations Engineer** to support innovative research and development efforts at **NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center (AFRC),** at **Edwards AFB, CA**. In this role, you’ll provide technical leadership and hands-on engineering support across a broad range of operations activities. You’ll apply strong engineering fundamentals to help plan, coordinate, and execute complex work in a **fast-paced aerospace research environment**. This is an opportunity to contribute to meaningful, **mission-driven work alongside NASA** and **industry partners** while building your career with an employee-owned company. ## Responsibilities As a NASA **Operations Engineer** with AMERICAN SYSTEMS, you will have the opportunity to do the following: **Engineering and Integration** - **Define and manage system requirements, risk, and integration strategies.** - Support **aircraft operations, modifications, maintenance planning, and troubleshooting**. - Serve as the **Operations Engineer** for AFRC manned and unmanned projects, including the development of **autonomous aircraft technologies** and **flight vehicle integration procedures** across NASA and partner organizations. - Maintain **aircraft configuration management**, including manuals, directives, TCTOs, Airworthiness Directives, and Maintenance Directives. - Prepare and manage **Certificates of Authorization (COAs)**. - Lead and support **flight test planning**, including **test card development**. - Participate in and lead **Operations, Mission Rule, and Systems Safety Working Groups**. - Develop procedures for the assembly, installation, and integration of **scientific instruments into NASA aircraft**. - Analyze project objectives, develop execution plans, and support **safety reviews**, including hazard documentation, **FMEA**, and mitigation planning. - Review project instructions to confirm requirements, specifications, and objectives; recommend solutions to **technical issues**. - Conduct and oversee **system and component testing** and research studies supporting performance improvements, development, and quality control. - Record and analyze **test procedures, results, and data**; provide recommendations. **Leadership, Research, and Project Management** - Serve as a **technical lead and mentor** for engineering teams and junior engineers. - Drive **research and development initiatives** supporting NASA aerospace advancements. - Lead **Tech Briefs, risk assessments, and strategic planning** for flight test programs. - Represent the **Operations Engineering Branch** during pre-mission deployments. - Mentor engineers in technical specialties, **systems engineering**, and **project management**. ## Qualifications **Basic Qualifications** - Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field. A master’s degree is a plus. - At least **5 years of experience supporting flight test activities on Gulfstream aircraft**. - Ability to work onsite daily at NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center. - Availability to work a **9/80 schedule**, with alternating Fridays off and core hours generally between **8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.** - Ability to travel occasionally, both locally and longer distance, by car or commercial air. **Additional Desirable Experience** - Supporting **airborne science payloads**, research missions, or aircraft modification efforts. - Working with **LIDAR systems, optical payloads, sensor integration**, or related airborne instrumentation. - Supporting **Gulfstream platforms** or comparable research aircraft fleets. - Flight test planning, test card development, mission execution, and flight operations. - Risk management practices, airworthiness certification requirements, and flight safety processes. *We’re interested in candidates who bring experience in **one or more of the above areas**. If your background does not include every item, we still encourage you to apply.* ## Pay Transparency Statement AMERICAN SYSTEMS is committed to pay transparency for our applicants and employee-owners. The salary range for this position is USD $100,000.00/Yr. - USD $155,000/Yr. Actual compensation will be determined based on several factors permitted by law. AMERICAN SYSTEMS provides for the welfare of its employees and their dependents through a comprehensive benefits program by offering healthcare benefits, paid leave, retirement plans, insurance programs, and education and training assistance. ## EEO Statement EEO Race/Sex/Disability Status/Veteran Status ## Skills - Project Management - Component Testing - Flight Safety - Quality Control - Systems Engineering - Planning - Risk Management - Flight Testing - Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) - Vehicle Integration - Strategic Planning - Airworthiness - Configuration Management - Airworthiness Directives - SQL Query Execution Plans - Maintenance - Sensor Integration ## Benefits - Health Insurance - Other Retirement and Savings - Flexible Work Schedules ## Related - [Engineering jobs](https://www.foundrole.com/careers/engineering?utm_source=ai_markdown)- [Aerospace Engineering jobs](https://www.foundrole.com/careers/engineering/aerospace-engineering?utm_source=ai_markdown)- [Aerospace Engineer jobs](https://www.foundrole.com/careers/engineering/aerospace-engineering/aerospace-engineer?utm_source=ai_markdown)- [Browse all companies](https://www.foundrole.com/companies?utm_source=ai_markdown) ## Related pages - [California](https://www.foundrole.com/locations/us/california?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 260756 jobs - [IT Services and Consulting](https://www.foundrole.com/sectors/technology/it-services-and-consulting?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 150241 jobs ## Browse - [Companies](https://www.foundrole.com/companies?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [Jobs by country](https://www.foundrole.com/locations?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [Jobs in the United States by state and city](https://www.foundrole.com/locations/us?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [H1B sponsors by location](https://www.foundrole.com/h1b-sponsors?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [H1B salaries](https://www.foundrole.com/h1b-salaries?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [Sectors and industries](https://www.foundrole.com/sectors?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [Jobs by career field](https://www.foundrole.com/careers?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [Latest jobs](https://www.foundrole.com/jobs/latest?utm_source=ai_markdown)