Test Engineer III

Battelle • Atlantic City, NJ

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

Battelle is seeking a Lead Test Engineer for a full-time opportunity in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. This role supports the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Transportation Security Laboratory (TSL) Commercial Aviation Vulnerability Mitigation (CAVM) project. The project involves live-fire test planning, instrumentation, and analysis to enhance aircraft security, explosive mitigation techniques, and baggage screening policies.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from an accredited college or university with at least 5 years of relevant experience, OR a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering from an accredited college or university with at least 2 years of experience demonstrating professional knowledge of system testing.
• Knowledge and experience in explosive testing, including blast effects measurement and related explosive test types; experience in system automation, data collection, analysis, and presentation.
• Knowledge and experience in instrumentation and data acquisition for explosive testing.
• Expertise in explosive performance measurement techniques, including blast pressure gauges, strain gauges, accelerometers, high-speed cameras, digital image correlation, and other blast test measurement instrumentation.
• Knowledge of modeling and simulation of blast responses in aircraft structures.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Access databases and Excel spreadsheets.
• Experience with SolidWorks design software.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to read and produce technical documents such as project plans, test plans and procedures, data analysis reports, and project final reports.
• Highly motivated self-starter with a strong desire and demonstrated ability to learn on the job.
• Travel is required 25–50% of the time to Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG), MD.
• This position requires sole U.S. citizenship.
• The selected candidate must have the eligibility and willingness to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret Security Clearance and to obtain both TSA and DHS Suitability.

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience working for TSA or DHS.
• Active DoD Secret Security Clearance.
• Experience with 3D printing.
• Coding experience (e.g., MATLAB, Python).
• Experience with mechanical engineering software such as LS-DYNA for modeling and simulation and MATLAB for mathematical analysis.
• Knowledge of high-speed camera photography.
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering with at least 9 years of relevant experience, OR a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering with at least 3 years of experience demonstrating professional knowledge of system testing.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support explosive vulnerability and mitigation testing activities in direct support of DHS and national aviation security objectives.
• Lead the development of test matrices and test planning for a range of DHS-conducted blast vulnerability and mitigation tests, utilizing DHS-supplied commercial aircraft and other test assets.
• Assist DHS and its DoD contractor with the preparation, setup, and conduct of explosive vulnerability and mitigation test activities, including the identification, configuration, operation, and support of blast response measurement instrumentation (e.g., digital image correlation, blast overpressure gauges, optical measurement techniques).
• Acquire, compile, store, reduce, and analyze instrumentation data acquired during DHS-sponsored explosive mitigation testing.
• Review instrumentation test plans and procedures; conduct tests, collect test data; and prepare test result analyses and program assessment reports.
• Assist with predictive blast response modeling and simulation to support test planning.
• Develop work breakdown structures, identify critical path elements, and track project activities.
• Work in varying outdoor weather conditions at Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG), MD, including the use of respirators and the ability to lift up to 20 pounds.

Benefits

• Compressed work schedule allowing for every other Friday off.
• Hybrid work arrangement (60% in-office, 40% remote).
• Paid time off.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Wellness incentives and benefits.
• Optional supplemental benefits.
• Coverage for partners, gender-affirming care and health support, and family formation support.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer contribution (5% regardless of employee contribution, plus matching).
• Tuition assistance for higher education.

What This Job Offers

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