Hypersonic Wind Tunnel Lead Engineer

Scientific Research Corporation

Lead Engineer providing technical oversight for hypersonic ground test capabilities. Ensuring operational safety and reliability for a state-of-the-art facility supporting the Department of War.

Posted 6/12/2026full-timeRemote • Minnesota • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $132,250 - $220,400 per yearWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Cyber Security

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Providing Technical Oversight & Contractor Evaluation
Serving as the primary technical advisor to the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), overseeing the design-build prime contractor’s design and execution of a wind tunnel test capability
Serving as the authoritative technical Point of Contact (POC), providing critical feedback and strategic guidance to the contractor to ensure designs align with government safety, reliability, and performance requirements
Leveraging deep expertise of wind tunnel design, wind tunnel operations, and wind tunnel test planning to identify, own, manage, and communicate technical risk, developing mitigation plans in partnership with the Assistant Project Manager (APM)
Representing the government program office while attending contractor-chaired Integrated Product Team (IPT) meetings, Technical Interchange Meetings (TIMs), technical design reviews, and milestone reviews applying subject matter expertise to provide insights and communicate government questions and concerns to the contractor
Conducting detailed technical reviews of contractor-developed designs, drawings, specifications, and analyses such as Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
Validating contractor technical findings by performing independent verification analyses and coordinating with external SMEs, FFRDCs, UARCs, etc., to assess risk and inform government decisions
Possessing and applying a strong safety ethos, leading and contributing to safety reviews and audits
Contributing to programmatic planning by developing Statements of Work (SOW), Independent Government Cost Estimates (IGCEs), and facility requirement documentation
Collaborating seamlessly within a highly matrixed team of mechanical, electrical, aerothermal, controls and instrumentation, and systems engineers, program management, program controls, physical security, cybersecurity, and construction professionals
Reporting Translating complex project data into decision-ready insights; lead executive briefings to present technical summaries, risk assessments, and recommendations to support government action and decisions
Adhering to, and reviewing internal and external work products for adherence to administrative and sensitive data protection guidelines

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline and 10+ years of experience in the aerospace or defense industry
Direct experience with the design, construction, operation, and/or modernization of large-scale Test and Evaluation (T&E) facilities such as wind tunnels, arc jets, rocket stands, turbine cells, etc.
Proven ability to conduct comprehensive technical reviews and assessments, resolve complex technical issues, and oversee project phases from initial design through closeout
Exceptional communication skills with a proven ability to translate complex engineering data into decision-ready briefings for government and contractor stakeholders
Proven tactical project management skills with a demonstrated ability to drive accountability, manage action plans, and maintain project momentum
Experience integrating complex systems
Knowledge of engineering principles related to mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, and control systems
Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 suite of software
Must possess an active SECRET security clearance

Benefits

Comp & perks

medical, dental, and vision plans
401(k) with a company match
life insurance
vacation and sick paid time off accruals starting at 10 days of vacation and 5 days of sick leave annually
11 paid holidays
tuition reimbursement
work environment that encourages excellence and more

ATS Keywords

✓ Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools

Finite Element Analysis (FEA)Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)design-buildTest and Evaluation (T&E)technical reviewsrisk assessmentproject managementsystem integrationmechanical engineeringelectrical engineering

Soft Skills

communication skillstactical project managementcollaborationtechnical oversightproblem-solvingleadershipstrategic guidancecritical feedbacksafety ethosdecision-making

Certifications

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical EngineeringBachelor’s degree in Aerospace EngineeringBachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineeringactive SECRET security clearance