Test Engineer III
About The Position
The Test Engineer III leads the development and execution of comprehensive test plans for advanced aerospace and defense systems. Testing evolves with design maturity, from initial stages through post-production follow-ups on subsequent articles. The role conducts extensive system testing of mission equipment—including communication, computing, navigation, and surveillance systems—to assess compliance with design and functionality standards. The posting explicitly states that software or automation testing knowledge and skills are not required. The position is within Mission Solutions and Technologies (MST), which provides command/control, communications, integrated ISR, force protection, and security solutions for defense, homeland security, commercial, and international customers. The work supports platform operations, engineering, and lifecycle management across air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field; a higher-level relevant degree may substitute for experience.
- At least 6 years of experience in aerospace or defense test engineering.
- Advanced understanding of test and evaluation principles and methodologies.
- Proven knowledge of engineering principles and practices.
- Experience working in multidisciplinary design and development teams.
- Experience planning, conducting, and documenting Verification and Validation (V&V) activities.
- Ability to read schematics, use service manuals, follow test procedures, and apply logical troubleshooting techniques.
- FAA Class III Medical Certification; candidates without current certification must obtain it before hire.
- Ability to complete Altitude Chamber training and qualification.
- Hands-on experience with RF and electronic test equipment, including spectrum/network analyzers, multi-meters, data acquisition units, transducers, and accelerometers.
- Experience developing and executing ground and flight test plans and procedures.
- Strong background in requirements management, including derivation, traceability, verification, and selloff.
- Excellent technical documentation and communication skills.
- Familiarity with aircraft avionics systems, architectures, and integration.
- Active United States Secret security clearance.
- Ability to obtain Top Secret clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) eligibility.
- U.S. citizenship is required for the active U.S. security clearance needed for employment.
- Ability to work on a computer for extended periods and lift up to 25 lbs regularly.
- Ability to work in an office, lab, hangar, or offsite environment.
Nice To Haves
- Experience supporting DoD programs, ISR platforms, and/or missionized aircraft.
- Familiarity with MIL-STD and aerospace standards, such as DO-160, MIL-STD-810, and MIL-STD-461.
- Experience supporting FAA and/or military (DoD) certification efforts.
- Knowledge of requirements management tools such as DOORS and Jama.
- Prior experience in a lead test or integration IPT role.
- Familiarity with Product and Quality Assurance principles and experience generating and dispositioning product non-conformances.
- Familiarity with testing equipment, standards, and methodologies, including manual and automated testing.
Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain flight test plans, test procedures, and test reports in accordance with program and customer requirements.
- Support program-level test planning, including strategies, schedules, risk identification, and resource coordination.
- Execute developmental, qualification, and flight test activities for aircraft mission systems and avionics.
- Operate RF and electronic test equipment, including spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, multi-meters, data acquisition units, transducers, and accelerometers.
- Support aircraft integration, subsystem checkout, and test anomaly investigation and resolution.
- Participate in Test Readiness Reviews, Safety Review Boards, and post-test data analysis.
- Coordinate with systems engineering, avionics, software, and program management to align test activities with technical, cost, and schedule objectives.
- Provide technical leadership and mentoring to junior test engineers.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision plans.
- 401(k) with 150% match up to 6%.
- Life insurance.
- Three weeks of paid time off.
- Tuition reimbursement.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
