Maintenance and Reliability Engineer/ Subcontract Coordinator

Overview

The NFAC provides the United States with the capability of performing ground-based aerodynamic and acoustic experiments at speeds from static to nearly 350 mph on large-scale and full-scale aerospace vehicles and components. This complex includes a 40- by 80-foot wind tunnel and an 80- by 120-foot wind tunnel.

AEDC's mission is to conduct developmental test and evaluation for the Nation through modeling, simulation, ground test and flight test. Execution of the mission requires a large team of highly qualified and dedicated professionals from multiple technical disciplines to effectively accomplish the objectives of our test customers.

An exciting career opportunity exists for a Maintenance and Reliability engineer position supporting a team of engineers and technicians who maintain and operate the largest wind tunnel in the world.

Open to internal and external candidates.

Job Summary

This is a dual-focus position responsible for both the technical optimization of asset reliability and the commercial management of maintenance subcontracts for critical NFAC systems and infrastructure. This role bridges the gap between hands-on reliability engineering and vendor oversight.

Approximately 50% of the role is dedicated to developing and implementing a Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) program, using predictive strategies and failure analysis to improve asset availability. The other 50% is focused on the full lifecycle of subcontract management, from writing technical scopes of work to overseeing contractor performance on-site. The engineer will collaborate with facility teams, management, and external vendors to execute a holistic maintenance strategy, utilizing a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) and requiring hands-on maintenance efforts.

The responsibilities for this role are divided into two core functions:

Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM) & Engineering

Lead the continued development, optimization, and implementation of the RCM program.
• Apply Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) principles to identify root causes of failure and determine whether to address them with in-house or subcontracted solutions.
• Evaluate equipment failures and maintenance records (OWAMS, E-Matrix, etc.) to identify inefficiencies, trends, and systemic root causes that may require specialized contractor intervention.
• Develop and maintain an RCM business case database to justify proposed asset management strategy changes, including make-or-buy decisions for maintenance tasks.
• Implement innovative, non-invasive, and cost-effective Predictive Maintenance (PdM) strategies (vibration analysis, infrared thermography, oil analysis, etc.) to shift maintenance towards Condition Based Maintenance (CBM).
• Spearhead efforts to improve foundational data in Oracle WAM (hierarchy, BOMs, coding, etc.) to support both RCM and subcontracting accuracy.

Maintenance Subcontract & Vendor Management

• Scope & Contract Development: Develop, write, and manage comprehensive Statements of Work (SOW), technical specifications, and Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for subcontracted maintenance on critical NFAC systems and infrastructure such as elevators, cranes, mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPS), HVAC systems etc.
• Subcontractor Technical Evaluation: Partner with the subcontracting group to lead the technical evaluation of proposals and quotes, ensuring they align with NFAC engineering standards and operational requirements.
• On-Site Coordination: Plan, schedule, and oversee on-site subcontractor activities, ensuring adherence to safety protocols, quality standards, and the dynamic research testing schedule.
• Performance Oversight: Monitor and manage contractor performance against contractual obligations. Conduct quality assurance checks and approve completed work.
• Collaboration: Work closely with facility engineers, procurement, and management to ensure seamless integration of subcontractors into site operations.

General & Collaborative Duties

• Collaborate with the AHA (Asset Health Assurance) group on tools, techniques, and procedures for both internal and external maintenance work.
• Conduct training for internal teams on the RCM process, best practices, and procedures for working with subcontractors.
• Evaluate opportunities for facility capability upgrades, supporting strategic asset planning with insights from both internal reliability data and external vendor capabilities.
• Hands-on fieldwork is expected; multidisciplinary experience maintaining facility mechanical (hydraulics, pneumatics, compressors, pumps), electrical (motors), and control systems (PLC, instrumentation) is highly desirable.
• It is a condition of employment to wear company issued Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in accordance with supervisory direction and company policy.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Basic Qualifications:

• B.S. degree in engineering (mechanical, electrical, industrial, or a related technical discipline from an accredited college or a combination of equivalent education and a minimum of five (5) years of applicable experience in mechanical, electrical, and/or control systems maintenance
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance and access the DoW local area network.
• Current U. S. Citizenship required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Active Secret Security Clearance
• An accredited bachelor's degree in engineering (mechanical, electrical, industrial, or a related technical discipline) plus 5+ years of relevant work experience or 10 - 15 years of relevant maintenance and/or subcontracting work
• Demonstrated knowledge and ability to apply design and engineering concepts to provide effective solutions
• Excellent communication skills
• Multidisciplinary experience maintaining facility mechanical (hydraulic and pneumatic power, compressors, pumps, etc.), electrical (motors, generators), and control systems (PLC, instrumentation) is highly desirable.

Beyond New Horizons (BNH) is a fully populated joint venture of Astrion and Fluor Federal Services, Inc. formed to provide unmatched Test Operations and Sustainment services for the Arnold Engineering Development Complex.

We chose our name to serve as an enduring reminder of our commitment to AEDC's rich aerospace research and development legacy anchored in AEDC's Toward New Horizons founding study and the unprecedented opportunities to greatly expand AEDC's capabilities and capacity Beyond those existing today. Leveraging the capabilities of our parent companies, BNH specializes in testing and evaluation for military and space systems combined with proven capability in large-scale Government program management, integration, engineering, and construction services for specialized and technically advanced high-hazard facilities.

Join our Team!

U.S. Citizenship is required. At this time BNH will not sponsor any applicants for employment authorization or offer any immigration related support for this position (i.e. H1b, F1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT, F-1 CPT, J-1, E-2, E-3, L-1, or other forms of work authorization that require immigration support from an employer).

The minimum and maximum full-time annual salaries for this role are listed below, by location. Please note that this salary information is solely for candidates hired to perform work within one of these locations and refers to the amount BNH is willing to pay at the time of this posting. Salaries for part-time jobs will be adjusted based upon the number of hours agreed to work.

$120,000 - $175,000 annually at the NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA

BNH is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.