Test & Evaluation SME, Manager

EDGE; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 480,000 - 720,000; Full time

Job summary

EDGE invites an experienced Test & Evaluation SME Manager to lead planning, design, and coordination of complex defence test activities. You will ensure robust objectives, instrumentation, data needs, and risk-informed decisions in collaboration with clients and cross-functional teams.

You will guide test concepts, execution strategies, and resource plans while mentoring engineers and driving continuous improvement across testing programs at EDGE.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Physics, Systems Engineering, Safety Engineering, Risk Management, or related technical discipline.
• Minimum 10 years in Defence Test & Evaluation, systems engineering, test planning, or related leadership roles.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams of engineers, technicians, and test specialists.
• Experience planning and executing complex defence-related test & evaluation programmes.
• Proven expertise in instrumentation, telemetry, data acquisition, and test support.
• Knowledge of range safety, risk management, SMS, and regulatory requirements.
• Proficiency in quantitative analysis, modelling, and uncertainty assessment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and review detailed test plans, objectives, and data requirements.
• Design test concepts, methodologies, and evaluation strategies.
• Lead planning and coordination of complex test activities with multiple stakeholders.
• Coordinate with clients, range operations, and execution teams on priorities.
• De-conflict range assets and facilities for efficient testing.
• Validate readiness, configurations, and documentation before tests.
• Review post-test data and reports to capture lessons learned.
• Provide technical leadership in instrumentation, measurement systems, and data capture.
• Assess emerging tech and best practices to enhance capability.
• Develop metrics to monitor range performance and safety indicators.
• Support Safety Management System processes in testing operations.
• Mentor engineers and promote collaboration across the organization.

Skills

Leadership of multidisciplinary teams

Test & evaluation leadership

Instrumentation & data acquisition

Quantitative analysis

Risk management

Modelling & simulation basics

Safety & regulatory compliance

Operational planning coordination

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering/Physics/Systems Engineering or related

Tools

Instrumentation systems

Telemetry & data acquisition

Measurement systems

Job description

At EDGE bold ideas are engineered into technologies that protect, improve and save lives.

Headquartered in the United Arab Emirates, EDGE is a leading advanced technology group working at the forefront of defence and emerging technologies. Spanning more than 35 specialised companies and multiple centres of excellence, we are purpose-built to move fast. Free from heavy legacy processes, we give our people the autonomy, accountability, and agility to bring breakthrough technologies from concept to reality.

Based in Abu Dhabi, a globally connected hub at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, EDGE is home to a truly multicultural community where bold ideas thrive, and the future is shaped.

Together, we are shaping the future.

About The Role

REMAYA helps our clients verify and validate the performance of their platforms and systems through rigorous test and evaluation practices. We apply scientific methodologies and Systems-Engineering principles to gather critical performance data on test platforms and provide users with an evidence base which allows them to make well-informed, data-led decisions about their platforms and systems. XRANGE operates a secure test and evaluation facility, known as XRANGE. From its secure island setting, XRANGE provides over 350km2 of test range area as well as up to 10,000ft of airspace to assess platforms and systems in operationally realistic conditions and scenarios. Open all year around to both UAE and Internation clients and supported by dedicated infrastructure, advanced instrumentation and data capture systems, it is a unique testing environment in the heart of the Middle East.

Test & Evaluation SME Manager

The Test & Evaluation SME, Manager provides technical leadership for the planning, design, and coordination of complex test and evaluation activities across defence and range environments. The role ensures test objectives, methodologies, instrumentation, and data requirements are technically sound, operationally achievable, and aligned with customer and organizational requirements.

Working closely with clients, range operations, engineers, and test teams, the T&E SME develops test concepts, execution strategies, and resource plans while providing specialist expertise in test design, data acquisition, analysis, reporting, and continuous improvement.

The role also supports risk-informed decision-making and operational assurance by contributing to safety management processes, reviewing operational risks, and ensuring testing activities are conducted in accordance with safety, regulatory, and organizational requirements. Additionally, the T&E SME supports capability development, performance monitoring, and continuous improvement initiatives across T&E and range operations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and review detailed test plans, objectives, success criteria, and data requirements for projects utilizing measurement, instrumentation, and data capture systems.
• Design test concepts, methodologies, and evaluation strategies aligned with customer, programme, and organizational objectives.
• Lead the planning and coordination of complex test activities involving multiple stakeholders, facilities, and technical disciplines.
• Coordinate with clients, range operations, and execution teams to align test requirements, schedules, resources, and operational priorities.
• De-conflict range assets, instrumentation, facilities, and support services to ensure optimal utilization and efficient execution of testing programmes.
• Validate test readiness, configurations, methodologies, and supporting documentation prior to test execution.
• Review and evaluate post-test data, technical reports, and analysis outputs to ensure objectives have been achieved and lessons learned are captured.
• Provide technical leadership and subject matter expertise in instrumentation, measurement systems, data acquisition technologies, and test methodologies.
• Assess emerging technologies, testing methodologies, and industry best practices to enhance organizational capability and operational effectiveness.
• Develop, maintain, and report on operational performance metrics and key testing indicators to support continuous improvement and informed decision-making.
• Manage and develop metrics for monitoring and tracking range performance, including leading and lagging indicators relating to safety, operational effectiveness, efficiency, and readiness.
• Support the development, maintenance, and continual improvement of Safety Management System processes relevant to testing and range operations.
• Conduct, review, and validate risk assessments associated with test activities and operational programmes, ensuring appropriate controls and mitigations are identified and implemented.
• Provide risk management guidance during test planning activities to support safe, compliant, and effective execution of complex testing programmes.
• Apply quantitative and analytical techniques, including statistical and risk-based analysis methodologies, to support operational planning, performance assessment, and decision-making.
• Support the application of modelling and simulation techniques, including Monte Carlo analysis where appropriate, to assess operational risk, uncertainty, and programme outcomes.
• Drive process improvement, quality assurance, and standardization activities across Test & Evaluation planning and execution functions.
• Mentor engineers, specialists, and technical personnel while promoting collaboration and knowledge sharing across the organization.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Physics, Systems Engineering, Safety Engineering, Risk Management, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in Defence Test & Evaluation, systems engineering, test planning, range operations, or related technical leadership roles.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary technical teams consisting of engineers, technicians, and test specialists.
• Experience planning, coordinating, and executing complex test and evaluation programmes within defence, military, aerospace, weapons, munitions, autonomous systems, or related industries.
• Proven expertise in instrumentation, measurement systems, telemetry, data acquisition systems, and test support technologies.
• Strong understanding of data capture techniques, instrumentation setup, test methodologies, and evaluation processes.
• Experience working within a test range, proving ground, weapons testing facility, aviation test environment, or similar operational testing environment.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate complex test activities across multiple stakeholders, departments, customers, and technical disciplines.
• Knowledge of range safety principles, risk management methodologies, operational assurance processes, and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Experience supporting or contributing to Safety Management Systems (SMS) within a testing, aviation, defence, military, industrial, or other high-risk operational environment.
• Experience conducting, reviewing, or supporting operational risk assessments and implementing risk mitigation strategies for complex activities.
• Working knowledge of quantitative analysis, modelling, simulation, and uncertainty assessment techniques, including Monte Carlo methodologies.

WHY CHOOSE EDGE

Launched in November 2019, the UAE's EDGE is one of the world's leading advanced technology groups, established to develop agile, bold and disruptive solutions for defence and beyond, and to be a catalyst for change and transformation. It is dedicated to bringing breakthrough innovations, products, and services to market with greater speed and efficiency, to position the UAE as a leading global hub for future industries, and to creating clear paths within the sector for the next generation of highly skilled talent to thrive.

At EDGE, the real investment goes beyond compensation. Through our dedicated learning academy and digital learning platforms, employees have access to extensive opportunities to develop new skills, deepen their expertise, and advance their careers. Combined with the freedom to innovate, strong career support, and the opportunity to collaborate with world-class talent from across the globe, EDGE is a place where you can continue to grow, keep learning, and turn ambitious ideas into meaningful outcomes.

Working at EDGE also comes with a package that genuinely reflects how much we value our people. Salaries are highly competitive and tax-free and, depending on your role and seniority, benefits can include family visas, annual flight tickets, medical insurance for you and your dependents, and education allowances for your children.

CANDIDATE PRIVACY & EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

If you feel your skills, experience and potential are a strong match for a role, we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every requirement. We are genuinely interested in what you can bring to EDGE.

Any information you share as part of your EDGE candidate profile or job application will be handled in accordance with applicable data protection and privacy regulations.

EDGE is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and high-performing workforce. We believe every individual deserves to be treated with fairness, respect and dignity, and our employment decisions reflect that. We do not discriminate based on race, colour, nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender, marital status, age, disability, pregnancy or parental status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

As a global organisation, effective collaboration across international teams is central to how we work, so English proficiency is required for all roles unless otherwise stated in the job posting.

Please note that EDGE does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies. Any resumes in the absence of a formally executed agreement in place will be deemed the property of EDGE, and no placement fees or compensation will be payable in respect of such submissions.