Principal Test Engineer

Leonardo DRS, Inc.•Germantown, MD

6d•$119,940 - $161,919•Onsite

About The Position

We're hiring a Principal Test Engineer to lead our test engineering team and drive the validation of radar hardware and software — from the lab bench to the field. This is a hands-on technical leadership role for someone who can own test strategy end-to-end, mentor engineers, and ensure our radar systems perform reliably under real-world conditions.

Requirements

Master's degree in Engineering or a related technical field
8+ years of relevant engineering/test experience, ideally with radar, RF, or defense systems
Demonstrated mastery of test engineering methods and strong domain knowledge across multiple disciplines
Proven ability to lead technical projects independently and mentor other engineers
Strong written and verbal communication skills across technical and non-technical audiences
Willingness to test in field/operational environments, not just the lab
U.S. Citizenship required.
This position requires an active DOD security clearance or the ability to obtain such clearance within a reasonable time after commencement of employment.

Responsibilities

Lead and coach a team of test engineers, setting technical direction and elevating team capability
Serve as the technical authority on test strategy, methods, and standards across programs
Design, develop, and execute test programs to validate the functionality, integrity, and reliability of radar hardware and software
Write test procedures and protocols that verify products meet performance specifications
Conduct testing in both lab and field environments, adapting plans to real-world operating conditions
Debug test hardware, software, and instrumentation to resolve issues quickly and keep programs on schedule
Drive test activities to completion on time and within budget
Analyze test data and designs to identify risks early and recommend corrective action
Build prototypes to retire key technical risks before full-scale development
Provide budget, cost, and schedule input for test and design assignments
Document component, subsystem, and system-level test specifications and requirements
Partner with manufacturing, supply chain, program management, and customers to align on requirements and resolve issues
Evaluate supplier components, subsystems, and services against program needs
Support design-to-cost and design-for-manufacture goals
Contribute technical content to complex, high-value proposals
Represent test engineering in customer, program, and business reviews

Benefits

comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision)
employer matching 401(k) retirement plan
paid time off including vacation, holidays, and sick leave (including any state-mandated paid sick leave)
parental leave benefits
tuition reimbursement
professional development support
life and disability insurance coverage
company contribution to a health savings account
telemedicine
legal insurance
401(k) savings plan
wellness programs that focus on physical, emotional, and financial well-being
programs and activities to support career-growth, professional development, and skill enhancement
flexible work schedules with our 9/80 program
competitive vacation
health/emergency leave
paid parental leave
community service hours