Fairwinds Technologies is seeking an experienced Reliability Engineer to support an AWACS Radio System Upgrade (RSU) program. This role will support the design, integration, testing, certification, and fielding of advanced airborne communications and avionics systems.
The selected candidate will serve as a key member of a Systems Engineering team responsible for reliability, maintainability, availability, and testability (RM&T) of mission-critical avionics, communications, cryptographic, and mission computing systems. Responsibilities include conducting reliability analyses, FMECA studies, root cause investigations, maintainability assessments, and reliability growth activities throughout the system lifecycle, from development and integration through aircraft installation, flight test, and operational deployment.
The ideal candidate will have experience with military avionics systems, aircraft modifications, communications system integration, and application of DoD reliability engineering standards and methodologies.
Key Responsibilities- Develop and implement the program Reliability, Maintainability, and Testability (RM&T) Program.
- Establish and maintain reliability allocations, predictions, and performance metrics.
- Perform reliability analyses in accordance with MIL-HDBK-217F Notice 2, MIL-HDBK-470A, MIL-STD-1629A, and applicable Air Force, DoD, and aerospace industry standards.
- Calculate and assess system and subsystem Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) predictions for airborne communications and avionics equipment.
- Conduct reliability growth assessments throughout development, integration, laboratory testing, and flight qualification activities.
- Evaluate operational availability and maintainability impacts of design decisions.
- Support lifecycle sustainment planning through quantitative reliability analyses.
- Lead Functional and Hardware Failure Modes, Effects, and Criticality Analyses (FMECA).
- Conduct failure investigations and root cause analyses for hardware failures.
- Develop corrective action plans and track implementation through closure.
- Support system safety and hazard assessment efforts by identifying reliability-related failure mechanisms.
- Analyze reliability characteristics of airborne communications systems.
- Evaluate impacts of equipment integration on aircraft mission performance and system readiness.
- Collaborate closely with Systems Engineering, Logistics, Safety, Software, Test, and Configuration Management teams.
- Ensure reliability requirements are traceable from system requirements through verification and validation activities.
- Provide technical recommendations during architecture development and design trade studies.
- Support Level of Repair Analysis (LORA) development.
- Develop reliability data required for maintenance planning and sustainment decisions.
- Support forecasting of lifecycle support requirements.
- Analyze test data to validate reliability predictions and identify performance trends.
- Develop and maintain reliability performance dashboards and program metrics.
- Support qualification, acceptance, and operational testing events.
- Support supplier assessments related to reliability and component quality.
- Identify reliability risks and develop mitigation plans.
- Present reliability status and risks during program reviews and technical meetings.
- Bachelor’s degree in Reliability Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
- 9+ years of reliability engineering experience.
- 5+ years supporting avionics, aerospace, military aircraft, or defense systems programs.
- Experience conducting Reliability Predictions, FMEA/FMECA, root cause failure analysis, reliability growth analysis, and maintainability assessments.
- Experience with aircraft modification and integration programs.
- Experience supporting DoD or Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programs.
- Excellent leadership, communication, problem-solving, and customer relationship management skills.
- Experience with AWACS, ISR, C2, airborne communications, or large aircraft mission systems.
Compensation - Salary
At Fairwinds, we consider many factors when it comes to compensation, including the scope of the position as well as your background and experience. Base pay may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, location and experience. Additional incentives may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
This is a full time, exempt position.
Work Authorization/Security Clearance:
Must be eligible to work in the US.
AAP/EEO Statement
Fairwinds Technologies, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer – M/F/Veteran/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity
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