Principal Test Engineer - Guided Munitions Programs

Twenty-Six Defense • Fort Worth, TX

124d

About The Position

The Principal Test Engineer serves as a primary technical authority for designing, integrating, and verifying complex Automated Test Equipment (ATE) supporting advanced optical sensor systems. The role combines deep technical expertise with technical leadership and bridges hardware design, software development, and verification and validation to ensure test solutions meet rigorous defense requirements. The engineer is expected to understand the product lifecycle and have a record of successful program execution in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment.

The position works with design, mechanical, and systems engineers, quality assurance, program managers, and project engineering managers to refine test requirements and product readiness. It provides technical direction and mentorship to junior and mid-level test engineers, and contributes to standardization and continuous improvement of test architectures, processes, and procedures. Routine travel is not expected.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a related field.
• At least 9 years of engineering experience, including a minimum of 5 years developing optical systems.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, C++, and NI LabVIEW/TestStand for instrument control and automated test sequencing.
• Mastery of defense communication interfaces including MIL-STD-1553, ARINC 429, RS-232/422, Ethernet, and PCIe.
• Hands-on experience with PXI/GPIB instrumentation, optical test benches (collimators, blackbodies, and lasers), oscilloscopes, and spectrum analyzers.
• Ability to obtain an active DoD Security Clearance or ability to obtain one.
• Proficiency in network architecture design, managed switch configuration, packet analysis, and hardware-level interface debugging.

Nice To Haves

• Experience supporting government contracts or working in a defense or aerospace environment.
• Experience with enterprise program management tools such as DOORS, JIRA, risk/opportunity tools, MS Project, and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) tools.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary technical interface for milestone reviews, test planning, and test execution.
• Collaborate with design engineers, mechanical engineers, systems engineers, quality assurance, program managers, and project engineering managers to refine test requirements and ensure product readiness.
• Standardize hardware and software architecture and design across ATE platforms, emphasizing modularity, reusability, and automated data logging.
• Analyze test data and recommend corrective actions.
• Translate systems engineering test requirements into actionable automated test cases and executable scripts.
• Provide technical direction, conduct code reviews, and mentor a team of junior and mid-level test engineers in hardware troubleshooting.
• Validate test solutions to ensure compliance with requirements.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of testing processes and procedures.
• Author Basis of Estimates (BOEs) for RFIs and RFP responses.

Benefits

• Most locations offer a 9/80 schedule, providing every other Friday off.
• Competitive compensation and a 401(k) program.
• Medical, dental, vision, and disability coverage with qualified wellness discounts.
• Basic life insurance and additional life and AD&D insurance are available.
• Flexible vacation and PTO.
• Paid parental leave.
• Employee referral program.
• Voluntary benefits including long-term care, legal, identity theft, and pet insurance.
• Voluntary TRICARE supplement available for military retirees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal