Senior Test Engineer

Leonardo DRS, Inc. • Germantown, MD

1d • $107,089 - $144,570 • Onsite

About The Position

DRS RADA Technologies is hiring a Senior Test Engineer in Germantown, Maryland, to support testing, calibration, and acceptance of radar products in a production environment. The position provides hands-on engineering support for anechoic chambers, automated test equipment, environmental stress screening (ESS), and radar preparation and configuration stations.

The engineer develops and maintains test software and procedures; analyzes radar performance and calibration data; troubleshoots product and test-equipment failures; and drives issues to resolution. The role works closely with Production, Manufacturing Engineering, Systems Engineering, Quality, and engineering teams in the United States and Israel to ensure testing is reliable, repeatable, properly documented, and able to meet production and customer-delivery needs. U.S. citizenship is required, as is an active Department of Defense security clearance or the ability to obtain one within a reasonable time after starting employment. The position follows a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off, on the first shift.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• At least five years of relevant experience in test engineering, RF/electronics testing, automated test equipment, or production engineering.
• Proficiency in Python for test automation, troubleshooting, and data analysis.
• Working knowledge of RF principles and measurements, including transmit/receive performance, gain, phase, cable loss, and antenna patterns.
• Hands-on experience with electronic test equipment such as signal or spectrum analyzers, signal generators, oscilloscopes, and programmable power supplies.
• Ability to troubleshoot hardware, software, cabling, and instrument-communication issues using schematics, logs, and measured data.
• Experience documenting test methods, results, equipment configurations, and technical changes.
• Strong problem-solving, communication, ownership, and follow-through skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a hands-on production environment.
• U.S. citizenship.
• Active Department of Defense security clearance or ability to obtain such clearance within a reasonable time after commencement of employment.

Nice To Haves

• Experience testing or calibrating radar systems, phased-array antennas, or other complex RF products.
• Experience with anechoic chambers, automated positioning systems, and RF calibration methods.
• Experience with thermal and vibration testing, ESS, and repaired or returned-product testing.
• Familiarity with MATLAB, LabVIEW, instrument-control interfaces, and software version-control tools.

Responsibilities

• Support radar production testing and calibration, including anechoic testing, RF performance verification, thermal and vibration screening, and final functional testing.
• Troubleshoot radar test failures and test-station issues, distinguishing product defects from software problems, configuration errors, equipment faults, and measurement variability.
• Develop, modify, debug, and maintain automated test software and data-analysis tools, primarily using Python, with MATLAB, LabVIEW, and other existing test platforms as applicable.
• Analyze calibration logs, RF measurements, antenna-pattern plots, and test results to identify recurring failures, marginal results, inconsistent measurements, and opportunities for corrective action.
• Support test-equipment reliability and availability, including chambers, test racks, power supplies, RF instruments, positioning systems, fixtures, cables, and communication interfaces; coordinate repairs, calibration, preventive maintenance, and vendor support.
• Maintain configuration control and traceability for test software, scripts, firmware, station settings, and hardware changes; document modifications, validation results, and implementation dates in controlled change logs.
• Develop and maintain test procedures, work instructions, troubleshooting guides, and searchable issue-resolution records; train and support test technicians in their use.
• Support radar software loading and configuration processes, ensuring preparation stations, installation tools, cabling, and approved software packages suit applicable radar variants and customer configurations.
• Support new-product introduction and technology transfer by establishing test-station readiness, integrating radar variants, verifying station compatibility, and coordinating technical handoffs with domestic and international engineering teams.
• Support installation, upgrades, and validation of test capabilities, including performance comparisons and documented acceptance testing for new or modified chambers and stations.
• Evaluate test coverage and ESS effectiveness using production failures, screening results, and field-return data; recommend improvements to pass/fail evaluation and test sequencing, subject to appropriate engineering and Quality approval.
• Improve test cycle time, repeatability, throughput, and equipment uptime without compromising product quality, safety, or customer requirements.
• Communicate test status, technical findings, blockers, and recovery plans, and coordinate corrective actions through closure.
• Follow applicable RF, electrical, thermal, ESD, and equipment-safety requirements; validate changes before production use and obtain required approvals for changes affecting acceptance criteria or product disposition.

Benefits

• Annual performance-based bonuses may be available.
• Equity awards may be available.
• Overtime pay for non-exempt employees, as applicable.
• Comprehensive health insurance, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Employer matching 401(k) retirement plan and company contribution to a health savings account.
• Paid time off, including vacation, holidays, and sick leave.
• Parental leave benefits and paid parental leave.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Professional development support and career-growth programs.
• Life and disability insurance coverage.
• Telemedicine.
• Legal insurance.
• Wellness programs focused on physical, emotional, and financial well-being.
• Flexible work schedules through the 9/80 program.
• Community service hours. Some employees are eligible for limited benefits only.

What This Job Offers

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