Sr Systems Development Engine Test Lead

Job Description Summary

Job Description

Business Overview

GE Aerospace’s Defense Engines & Services organization is the provider of choice for combat and trainer engines, rotorcraft and turboprop engines, mobility engines (tankers/transport), and marine gas turbines for the U.S. Armed Forces and its allies. Our team is responsible for design, manufacturing, and assembly of the engines on which the military depends, along with a vast array of services and support to approximately 30,000 engines in the field.

Role Overview

The Senior Engine Test Lead, as part of the Small Uncrewed Engines (SUE) Development Systems Engineering Team, will provide technical leadership to deliver a successful test program that supports qualification and certification of the GE426 and GEK1500 propulsion systems.

This critical role will serve as the primary technical authority for engine test planning, preparation, execution, data analysis, and issue resolution, ensuring that all testing activities support program objectives and deliver high-quality data to inform design decisions and demonstrate compliance with requirements.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end test strategy and execution for GE426 and GK1500 engine programs, including component, module, and full-engine testing, with responsibility for test planning, assembly, instrumentation, procedures, schedules, resource plans, and verification/validation support.
• Coordinate multi-site test operations across GE Aerospace Evendale, KTT, Edwards AFB, Purdue University, and government test facilities, ensuring aligned execution of test article delivery, facility readiness, instrumentation installation, test conduct, and post-test activities.
• Serve as the primary technical interface with Kratos Turbine Technologies (KTT) and other partners for all test-related activities, driving integrated planning, readiness reviews, issue resolution, data sharing, and governance across organizational boundaries.
• Manage test facility, instrumentation, and enabling hardware readiness by defining requirements for facilities, data acquisition systems, measurement capability, adapters, mounts, slave hardware, and assembly/build tooling; coordinating design, procurement, fabrication, calibration, and deployment to support test campaigns.
• Lead test data analysis, reporting, and technical problem solving by monitoring data quality, identifying anomalies, supporting root cause and corrective actions, and translating test results into clear conclusions and recommendations for engineering, program leadership, customers, and stakeholders.
• Own test safety, risk management, and operational discipline by leading hazard analyses, readiness reviews, go/no-go decisions, and incident follow-up, while ensuring compliance with safety, environmental, quality, and operational standards across all test sites.
• Drive cross-functional execution and continuous improvement by partnering with systems, design, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and program management teams to deliver test objectives, improve efficiency and data quality, capture lessons learned, and establish standard work and Lean/FLIGHT DECK-based best practices for engine testing.
• Travel approximately 25%

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline from an accredited university or college
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in Engine Testing
• This role requires the successful candidate to maintain a U.S. Government Security Clearance; prerequisite for a security clearance is U.S. Citizenship. Preference will be given to candidates who currently hold US Government Security Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active U.S. government security clearance
• Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering or Mechanical Engineering
• 10+ years of experience in propulsion system testing and turbomachinery testing, including leading Test Engineering programs
• Demonstrated experience leading engine test programs from planning through execution and data analysis
• Strong understanding of gas turbine engine operation, performance, and testing principles
• Experience with test instrumentation, data acquisition systems, and measurement techniques for propulsion systems
• Experience with small uncrewed engines, expendable propulsion systems, or limited-life engine applications
• Experience with Department of Defense weapon system testing and qualification
• Experience with military engine testing, including MIL-STD test requirements and procedures
• Knowledge of test facility design, test cell operations, and test safety protocols
• Experience with advanced instrumentation techniques, including high-speed data acquisition, optical measurements, and non-intrusive diagnostics
• Proficiency with data analysis tools and software (MATLAB, Python, or equivalent)
• Experience with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) or performance modeling to support test planning and data interpretation
• Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools such as CAMEO Systems Modeler
• Familiarity with GE Aerospace's FLIGHT DECK operating model

This role requires access to U.S. export-controlled information. Therefore, employment will be contingent upon the ability to prove that you meet the status of a U.S. Person as one of the following: U.S. lawful permanent resident, U.S. Citizen, have been granted asylee or refugee status (i.e., a protected individual under the Immigration and Naturalization Act, 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)).

Additional Information

GE Aerospace offers a great work environment, professional development, challenging careers, and competitive compensation. GE Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

GE Aerospace will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen (as applicable). Employees may also be subject to random and reasonable-suspicion drug and alcohol testing.

Relocation Assistance Provided: No