Principal Software Test Engineer

Curtiss-Wright•Ashburn, VA

17h•Onsite

About The Position

As our Principal Test Engineer, you will serve as the senior technical authority for test strategy, test system development and complex troubleshooting across products, materials and manufacturing processes. This role leads the design and implementation of advanced test methods, fixtures and diagnostic programs while ensuring test rigor, cost efficiency and compliance with internal and contractual requirements. Operating with broad autonomy, you drive test standards, resolves high-impact failures, influences cross-functional engineering decisions and mentors less experienced engineers.

Requirements

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline.
15–20+ years of experience in test engineering, product validation or manufacturing test development.
Expert-level capability in designing test systems, fixtures, diagnostic programs and automated or manual test methodologies.
Proven success analyzing complex test data, resolving systemic test failures and implementing robust corrective actions.
Strong understanding of materials testing, component qualification, product performance verification and manufacturing process validation.
Experience defining and governing test standards and specifications for internal and customer-driven requirements.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate across engineering, quality, supply chain and customer organizations.
Strong leadership, communication and mentoring skills with the ability to influence technical decisions across multiple programs.

Responsibilities

Lead the development and implementation of advanced, cost-effective test methods, test fixtures, diagnostic programs and test system requirements for new and existing products (20%).
Define and maintain comprehensive test standards and specifications for materials, components, products and manufacturing processes in alignment with company and customer requirements (20%).
Analyze complex test results, failure trends and vendor or material performance to diagnose root causes and drive corrective and preventive actions (20%).
Partner with customers, suppliers and internal engineering, quality and manufacturing teams to resolve high-impact test issues and ensure robust test readiness across programs (20%).
Provide technical leadership and mentoring to lower-level engineers, including guidance on test design, data interpretation and problem-solving best practices (20%).