Production Test Center of Excellence (COE) Lead SME

Quest Defense Systems & Solutions, Inc.

3d • $100 - $200 • Remote

About The Position

Quest Defense is seeking an experienced Production Test Subject Matter Expert to help establish and grow a Production Test Center of Excellence. The role provides strategic and technical leadership across the production test lifecycle, supporting customers in defining, designing, building, deploying, validating, and sustaining test capabilities for complex electronic and electromechanical products.

The position serves as a trusted advisor to customers and internal leadership, shaping technical solutions and delivery strategies and supporting growth of a turnkey production test business. The role spans production test engineering, automated test equipment, manufacturing test systems, test cell architecture, and factory integration. It also involves defining, estimating, pricing, and delivering capabilities encompassing hardware, software, automation, integration, installation, validation, and long-term sustainment.

The role is remote within the U.S., with frequent travel to customer locations and Quest Defense sites, including McKinney, Texas. The schedule is approximately 4–20 hours per week, with full-time engagement also possible. An active Secret clearance is preferred; the candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.

Requirements

• 20 or more years of experience in Production Test Engineering, Manufacturing Test Engineering, Automated Test Equipment, Test Systems Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Demonstrated experience designing, implementing, and supporting production test environments for complex electronic, electromechanical, RF, communications, avionics, sensor, radar, weapons, or other mission-critical systems.
• Deep understanding of the production test lifecycle, including requirements development, specifications and standards, strategy and sequencing, test cell architecture and design, instrumentation and measurement, hardware and software integration, automation, validation and qualification, production deployment, and sustainment and maintenance.
• Hands-on experience developing production test hardware and infrastructure, including fixtures, instrumentation, switching systems, sensors, power systems, and data acquisition platforms.
• Experience with automated test software, test executive platforms, automation frameworks, and production data collection and reporting systems.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, quality systems, statistical process control, Six Sigma methodologies, and continuous improvement practices.
• Experience supporting products through transition from development and integration into full-rate production.
• Experience defining solution architectures and execution strategies for production test systems and manufacturing test cells.
• Experience developing business cases, basis-of-estimate packages, capital equipment assessments, material and labor estimates, integration plans, and turnkey solution pricing models.
• Strong understanding of cost drivers associated with engineering services, purchased hardware, instrumentation, software development, system integration, installation, validation, and sustainment.
• Ability to communicate effectively with executive leadership, engineering organizations, manufacturing teams, suppliers, and customer stakeholders.
• Proven ability to influence decisions, build trusted relationships, and serve as a strategic technical advisor.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently based on customer and program needs.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree.
• Previous experience supporting major aerospace, defense, space, advanced electronics, or other high-reliability manufacturing organizations.
• Experience developing, deploying, and sustaining production test solutions for complex electronic, electromechanical, RF, communications, radar, avionics, sensor, or mission-critical products.
• Demonstrated success establishing or leading production test organizations, Centers of Excellence, or enterprise-wide test standards and processes.
• Deep familiarity with Automated Test Equipment, test automation frameworks, instrumentation platforms, data acquisition systems, and manufacturing execution environments.
• Experience delivering turnkey production test solutions that include engineering services, hardware procurement, instrumentation, software development, automation, system integration, factory installation, qualification, and operational support.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams including engineering, manufacturing, operations, supply chain, quality, and program leadership.
• Existing network of industry contacts, suppliers, and technical experts in aerospace, defense, advanced electronics, or high-tech manufacturing.
• Active Secret Clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and maturation of a Production Test Center of Excellence focused on end-to-end production test solutions.
• Advise customers on production test strategies, methodologies, operating models, and industry best practices.
• Partner with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and program teams to define production test requirements, specifications, and success criteria.
• Develop production test roadmaps covering requirements definition, implementation, validation, deployment, and sustainment.
• Define test methodologies, acceptance criteria, and production test strategies for electrical, functional, environmental, and system-level testing.
• Develop end-to-end production test architectures, including test sequencing, workflow design, and test execution strategies.
• Architect production test cells, including instrumentation, fixturing, sensors, switching systems, power systems, signal management, automation platforms, and data acquisition solutions.
• Guide development of automated test software, test executive applications, automation frameworks, and production data management solutions.
• Establish validation processes, quality standards, compliance requirements, maintenance strategies, and operational performance metrics.
• Support troubleshooting, root cause corrective action, yield improvement, and operational excellence initiatives.
• Develop sustainment plans, preventative maintenance approaches, and long-term support strategies for deployed test systems.
• Support business development, including customer engagement, solution shaping, technical strategy, and capture planning.
• Assist in developing Statements of Work, technical proposals, basis-of-estimate packages, and pursuit strategies.
• Define turnkey production test solutions covering engineering services, test hardware, instrumentation, software, automation, integration, installation, validation, training, and sustainment.
• Partner with engineering, operations, procurement, suppliers, and business leadership to develop executable delivery plans and comprehensive pricing strategies.
• Evaluate technical risk, schedule drivers, capital equipment requirements, make-versus-buy decisions, subcontractor needs, and integration complexity for competitive and executable proposals.
• Advise leadership on team structures, organizational capabilities, required competencies, and strategic investments needed to expand production test capabilities.
• Use industry expertise and professional networks to identify talent, partners, suppliers, and opportunities that strengthen Quest Defense's production test offerings.

Benefits

• Employer-matched 401(k).
• Certification assistance.
• Opportunities for advancement.
• Flexible, collaborative, people-first environment where teamwork, innovation, and balance are valued.
• Competitive compensation; full compensation package is based on candidate experience and certifications.

What This Job Offers

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