Senior Ballistic Armor Acquisition & Test Engineer SME

Cherokee Federal is hiring a Senior Ballistic Armor Acquisition & Test Engineer SME to support the NSWC PCD S24 ATAE Program Manager. The role manages the lifecycle development, testing, qualification, and sustainment of body armor and personal protective systems, providing technical expertise in ballistic armor testing, acquisition, and system documentation.

Responsibilities:

• Test Documentation Review: Thoroughly analyze and evaluate ballistic test plans and protocols generated by ATC and commercial test facilities against applicable DoD specifications and military standards (e.g., MIL-STD-662, NIJ standards, specific Purchase Descriptions)
• Test Witnessing: Witness First Article Testing (FAT) and Lot Acceptance Testing (LAT) on-site at Aberdeen Test Center (ATC) and qualified commercial ballistic laboratories (e.g., Element/NTS, Chesapeake Testing/Oregon Physics)
• Report Analysis: Review, validate, and summarize test results and ballistic test reports produced by ATC and commercial facilities
• Failure Analysis & Resolution: Lead technical root-cause investigations following any FAT/LAT ballistic or environmental non-conformances, formulating corrective and preventive actions with contractors and labs
• Commercial Lab Advisory: Evaluate, recommend, and advise the Government on the technical capabilities, accreditation, and utilization of commercial testing laboratories
• Evaluation of Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs) and Requests for Variance (RFVs) in coordination with DCMA and the TWH
• Ensure full traceability and strict configuration control of ballistic soft armor packages, hard armor inserts/plates, and carrier systems throughout the acquisition lifecycle
• Event Planning & Execution: Plan, coordinate, and execute user evaluation events, including Limited User Evaluations (LUEs), Fleet/Follow-on User Evaluations (FUEs), human factors assessments, and human buoyancy/water ingress testing
• Collect, synthesize, and report user feedback and performance data to guide design iterations and procurement decisions
• Purchase Descriptions (PDs): Formulate authoritative engineering inputs, performance parameters, and verification requirements for system-level Purchase Descriptions and solicitation packages
• Technical Manuals & Maintenance Data: Author and edit technical and operational documentation, including Operator Manuals, Equipment Handbooks, Use and Care Manuals, and Maintenance Requirement Cards (MRCs) in support of Planned Maintenance System (PMS) requirements
• Represent the NSWC PCD S24 ATAE Program in inter-service working groups, including the Joint Service Body Armor Working Group (BAWG)
• Coordinate technical requirements and lessons learned across naval and joint-service stakeholders (APM, TWH, NCTRF, and Army counterparts)
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned

Requirements:

• A government contract requires that this position be restricted to U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents
• This position requires an active Secret clearance or the ability to obtain a Secret clearance to be considered
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Textile Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical discipline (or equivalent military/contractor technical experience) with 7+ years of progressive experience in personal armor, PPE, or tactical life-support systems
• Proven hands-on background in ballistic testing methodologies, performance standards, and test range protocols for both soft

•armor (flexible aramid/UHMWPE packages) and hard armor (ceramic, metallic, composite inserts/plates)

• Demonstrated experience witnessing and evaluating FAT/LAT ballistic test events at Aberdeen Test Center (ATC) or certified commercial ballistic testing facilities
• Proven track record authoring or contributing to military Purchase Descriptions (PDs), technical manuals, and Maintenance Requirement Cards (MRCs)
• Must be a US Citizen
• Direct experience supporting Navy acquisition programs, particularly NSWC PCD, NAVSEA, or PM-ICE / Soldier Protective Services
• Familiarity with naval buoyancy and maritime survivability constraints for body armor (human buoyancy testing, salt-water exposure, neutrally buoyant plates)
• Active participation in the Body Armor Working Group (BAWG) or multi-service personal protective gear forums
• Strong working knowledge of DCMA quality oversight, FAR/DFARS compliance, and CMPRO/Configuration Management toolsets