Job ID: 728498BR Date posted: May. 20, 2026
Description:Position Summary
The Director of Test and Evaluation (T&E) for Edwards Air Force Base is the LM Aeronautics senior executive leader at the test site. The Director provides the vision as well as strategic and operational leadership for the integrated flight test engineering, maintenance, logistics (T&E) functions as well as Program Mgmt and Program Integration leadership and other supporting functions (Chief Eng, MRB, Flight Ops, Flight Safety, Sustainment, Quality, Security and IT) supporting F 35, F 22, and F-16. With responsibility for a workforce of over 500 engineers, maintainers, and specialists, the role ensures that all technical, logistical, and resource requirements are aligned with significant program milestones, safety standards, and corporate strategy. The Director serves as the principal point of contact for Edwards based flight test efforts, collaborates with senior leaders across the Engineering & Technology lines of business, and represents the functional organization in senior leadership briefings and DoD review boards.
________________________________________
Core Responsibilities
1. Strategic Workforce & Vision Leadership
• Lead the functional organization of >500 personnel across Edwards, setting the vision for systems engineering support of flight test objectives.
• Align functional goals with overall program strategy, corporate objectives, and DoD directives.
• Cultivate a culture of safety, quality, continuous improvement, and high performance recognition (LM Recognition program).
2. Resource Planning & Forecasting
• Provide vision and strategic oversite for upcoming flight test schedules for the F 35, F 22, and F 16 to determine staffing, skill set, tooling, test equipment, and spare parts needs.
• Create and maintain a rolling, multi program resource forecast (people, tooling, test equipment, spares).
• Partner with program operations site leads, program managers, and finance to secure budget approvals and prioritize resource allocations.
3. Test & Evaluation (T&E) Program Execution
• Oversee all T&E project planning, financial, and logistics activities for Edwards flight test programs and provide executive level support for Skunk Works programs in Palmdale.
• Ensure T&E processes incorporate the specific requirements of the aircraft programs while complying with Air Force Instructions and site specific procedures.
• Serve as the escalation point for any resource related issues that could impact test point milestones or schedule adherence.
4. Performance Monitoring & Continuous Improvement
• Track execution metrics such as test turnaround time, equipment availability, manpower utilization, and schedule variance.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action implementation for any deviations.
• Drive process improvements and incorporate lessons learned across programs.

5. Talent Management & Development
• Direct annual compensation, performance review cycles, and promotion pipelines for all functional personnel.
• Build succession plans for critical technical and leadership roles.
• Mentor mid level managers and technical leads; establish professional development pathways (training, certifications, cross program assignments).
6. Stakeholder Collaboration & Representation
• Liaise with program managers, test pilots, safety officers, test wing senior leadership, NASA, and other DoD agencies to synchronize resource plans with mission requirements.
• Coordinate with Fort Worth/Palmdale Executive Leads, program office executive leadership, and the Engineering & Technology LOB executive leadership to ensure seamless execution of test requirements.
• Represent the T&E engineering function in senior leadership briefings, review boards, and contract negotiations.
7. Compliance, Reporting & Contract Support
• Ensure compliance with DoD regulations, corporate policies, and safety standards.
• Provide regular status reports on workforce capacity, material readiness, and performance metrics to senior leadership.
Basic Qualifications:
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related discipline; Master’s preferred

• Experience: 15+ years of progressive experience in flight test systems engineering, logistics, or program management; 8+ years in a senior leadership role overseeing multi program engineering teams

• Technical: Deep knowledge of flight test processes, aircraft systems, maintenance, and logistics requirements

• Leadership: Proven ability to lead large, multidisciplinary teams, develop talent pipelines, and influence senior stakeholders

• Financial: Experience managing multi million dollar budgets, resource forecasting, earned value systems and cost control

• Communication: Exceptional written and oral communication skills; ability to present complex technical information to executive audiences

• Security: Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility and Special Access Programs (SAP)
Desired Skills:
• Strategic thinker with a track record of aligning engineering resources to mission critical outcomes

• Collaborative mindset, comfortable working across sites (Edwards, Palmdale, Fort Worth, Pax River) and with external partners

• Strong analytical skills; proficient in data driven decision making and performance metric reporting

• Commitment to security, safety, quality, and a continuous improvement culture

• Knowledge/experience of F-35, F-22, and F-16 aircraft products, programs, and technologies

• Top Secret Clearance desired
Security Clearance Statement: This position requires a government security clearance, you must be a US Citizen for consideration.
Clearance Level: Top Secret
Other Important Information You Should Know
Expression of Interest: By applying to this job, you are expressing interest in this position and could be considered for other career opportunities where similar skills and requirements have been identified as a match. Should this match be identified you may be contacted for this and future openings.
Ability to Work Remotely: Onsite Full-time: The work associated with this position will be performed onsite at a designated Lockheed Martin facility.
Work Schedules: Lockheed Martin supports a variety of alternate work schedules that provide additional flexibility to our employees. Schedules range from standard 40 hours over a five day work week while others may be condensed. These condensed schedules provide employees with additional time away from the office and are in addition to our Paid Time off benefits.
Schedule for this Position: 4x10 hour day, 3 days off per week
Pay Rate: The annual base salary range for this position in California, Massachusetts, and New York (excluding most major metropolitan areas), Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, Vermont, Washington or Washington DC is $180,000 - $309,120. For states not referenced above, the salary range for this position will reflect the candidate’s final work location. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market and business considerations when extending an offer.
Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Education Assistance, Parental Leave, Paid time off, and Holidays.
(Washington state applicants only) Non-represented full-time employees: accrue at least 10 hours per month of Paid Time Off (PTO) to be used for incidental absences and other reasons; receive at least 90 hours for holidays. Represented full time employees accrue 6.67 hours of Vacation per month; accrue up to 52 hours of sick leave annually; receive at least 96 hours for holidays. PTO, Vacation, sick leave, and holiday hours are prorated based on start date during the calendar year.
This position is incentive plan eligible.
Pay Rate: The annual base salary range for this position in most major metropolitan areas in California, Massachusetts, and New York is $180,000 - $309,120. For states not referenced above, the salary range for this position will reflect the candidate’s final work location. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market and business considerations when extending an offer.
Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Education Assistance, Parental Leave, Paid time off, and Holidays.
This position is incentive plan eligible.
Lockheed Martin is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified candidates will be considered without regard to legally protected characteristics.
The application window will close in 90 days; applicants are encouraged to apply within 5 - 30 days of the requisition posting date in order to receive optimal consideration.
At Lockheed Martin, we use our passion for purposeful innovation to help keep people safe and solve the world's most complex challenges. Our people are some of the greatest minds in the industry and truly make Lockheed Martin a great place to work.

With our employees as our priority, we provide diverse career opportunities designed to propel, develop, and boost agility. Our flexible schedules, competitive pay, and comprehensive benefits enable our employees to live a healthy, fulfilling life at and outside of work. We place an emphasis on empowering our employees by fostering an inclusive environment built upon integrity and corporate responsibility.

If this sounds like a culture you connect with, you’re invited to apply for this role. Or, if you are unsure whether your experience aligns with the requirements of this position, we encourage you to search on Lockheed Martin Jobs, and apply for roles that align with your qualifications.
Experience Level: Experienced Professional
Business Unit: AERONAUTICS COMPANY
Relocation Available: Yes
Career Area: Systems Engineering: Other
Type: Full-Time
Shift: First