Senior Flight Test Manager

Title:

Senior Flight Test Manager

At KBR, we deliver science, technology and engineering solutions to governments and companies around the world. KBR employs approximately 37,000 people worldwide with customers in more than 85 countries and operations in over 28 countries. KBR is proud to work with its customers across the globe to provide technology, value-added services, and long-term operations and maintenance services to ensure consistent delivery with predictable results.

Trinzic is the future independent company to be created through the planned spin-off of KBR's Mission Technology Solutions business, expected in January 2027. Our people work at the frontier of what is possible, delivering solutions in challenging environments and advancing some of the world's highest-priority national security and space missions.

Backed by decades of mission success, deep expertise, and trusted partnerships, Trinzic will launch as a global organization with more than 18,000 employees supporting customers around the world. Join us at a defining moment and help shape the future of a company built to tackle complex challenges and make a meaningful impact.

Candidates who join KBR's Mission Technology Solutions business before the spin-off will transition to Trinzic when the separation is complete and will not need to reapply for employment.

Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR!

KBR’s National Security Solutions team provides high-end engineering and advanced technology solutions to our customers in the intelligence and national security communities. In this position, your work will have a profound impact on the country’s most critical role – protecting our national security.

Why Join Us?

• Innovative Projects: KBR’s work is at the forefront of engineering, logistics, operations, science, program management, mission IT and cybersecurity solutions.

• Collaborative Environment: Be part of a dynamic team that thrives on collaboration and innovation, fostering a supportive and intellectually stimulating workplace.

• Impactful Work: Your contributions will be pivotal in designing and optimizing defense systems that ensure national security and shape the future of space defense.

Position Summary:

KBR, Inc. is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Flight Test Manager to support the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Autonomous Air Refueling research effort. This role will be responsible for providing expert-level flight test guidance on this complex program. This role will serve as the research and acquisition test manager responsible for developing, establishing and implementing aspects of a project/program through designated phases of the acquisition cycle for which no closely related precedents exist. The candidate will manage AFRL Flight Test processes, evaluate and manage vendor test plans, observe flight test activities and manage vendor reporting. The objective of this role is to support the Technology Transition Office (TTO) in the form of developing, producing, acquiring and testing material capabilities for the US Air Force.

Key Responsibilities:

• Coordinate with vendors and test organizations such as AFRL/DO to assist in developing detailed test plans, support resource management, and monitor execution.

• Act as a liaison to test stakeholders including test units, developing contractors, users, and other program offices.

• Support development, implementation, and monitoring of processes to manage cost, schedule, conduct, and strategy of T&E activities across acquisition phases.

• Provide technical input and briefings to government leadership and industry representatives regarding T&E status and progress.

• Monitor contractor performance and provide assessments to government PMs on program objectives.

• Coordinate activities among functional specialists in engineering, program scheduling, configuration/data management, test, and logistics.

• Provide technical support to contractual, financial, and programmatic aspects of projects through acquisition phases.

• Apply acquisition test management principles to identify technical risks and support program success across acquisition phases.

• Engage with stakeholders to resolve technical issues and provide updates to government and contractor teams.

• Manage the planning, coordination, and execution of complex flight test programs for various aircraft platforms and systems.

• Coordinate and manage detailed flight test plans, procedures, and test cards, ensuring clear objectives, performance criteria, and safety standards.

• Manage and oversee ground and flight test events, including range and airspace coordination.

• Perform in-depth analysis of flight test data to evaluate system functionality.

• Prepare detailed flight test reports, documenting results, highlighting key findings, and providing actionable recommendations.

• Evaluate vendor deliverables to ensure contract performance and compliance.

• Ensure compliance with all relevant safety standards, regulatory requirements, and program guidelines such as AFRL Manual 99-103 and AFRLI 61-103

• Identify potential safety risks and technical challenges and develop mitigation strategies.

Work Environment:

• Location: On-site (WPAFB, OH)

• Travel Requirements: Moderate Less than 20%

• Working Hours: Standard – Core hours 0900 - 1500

Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical field.

• 6+ years of experience in test and evaluation with a specific focus on Air Force acquisition programs or similar DoD systems.

• Demonstrated ability to manage system requirements verification and validation activities

• Demonstrated ability to lead planning and execution events.

• Proficiency with tools and technologies commonly used in Air Force and DoD acquisition programs, such as model based systems engineering, risk management, requirements management, project scheduling, and software backlog management tools.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex concepts to program managers, contractors, and non-technical stakeholders.

• Exceptional problem-solving skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines within the AFRL environment.

• Ability to navigate the complexities of military contracting processes and collaborate with defense contractors to ensure compliance with Air Force requirements.

• Active Secret clearance

Desired:

• Active Top Secret clearance

• Experience with prototyping and experimentation within the DoW.

• DAWIA Test and Evaluation certification.

• Expertise in software integration and testing.

• Minimum of 2 years' experience in SCI programs.

• Demonstrated ability to work well independently or as a team member.

• Demonstrated ability to drive projects to closure and to assimilate and correlate project information in a fast-paced environment.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate with technical and non-technical project teams.

• Experience acquiring and/or testing autonomous systems.

• Experience with Collaborative Combat Aircraft platforms and supporting architecture.

• Experience with Air to Air Refueling test & evaluation.

Ready to Make a Difference?

If you’re excited about making a significant impact in the field of space defense and working on projects that matter, we encourage you to apply and join our team at KBR. Let's shape the future together.

KBR Benefits

KBR offers a selection of competitive lifestyle benefits which could include 401K plan with company match, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, flexible spending account, disability, paid time off, or flexible work schedule. We support career advancement through professional training and development.

Belong, Connect and Grow at KBRAt KBR, we are passionate about our people and our Zero Harm culture. These inform all that we do and are at the heart of our commitment to, and ongoing journey toward being a People First company. That commitment is central to our team of team’s philosophy and fosters an environment where everyone can Belong, Connect and Grow. We Deliver – Together.

KBR is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.