Director, Test and Operations

Long Wall; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 195,000 - 245,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Heavily employer-subsidized medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) match

Student loan repayment assistance

Job summary

Long Wall in Long Beach, California is seeking a Director of Test Engineering & Operations to lead the testing activities and manage the engineering discipline of test operations. You will build and scale the testing infrastructure essential for mission-ready performance of defense systems.

The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of experience in aerospace and a commitment to safety and team leadership. Offering a competitive salary and robust benefits package.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in test engineering or operations in aerospace or defense.
• Proven ability to build and scale test infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Lead all test engineering activities and ensure compliance with safety requirements.
• Drive test planning, and manage the test operations team.
• Oversee incident response and corrective actions.

Skills

Test engineering leadership

Team-building

Complex test campaigns

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, electrical, or related engineering discipline

Master’s preferred

Tools

Data acquisition systems

Instrumentation

Control systems

Job description

Long Wall Company was created in 2024 to accelerate missile defense technology for the U.S. and our allies. Building on the RS1 and GS0 launch systems, Long Wall develops containerized, mass‑producible missile defense systems and offers rapid, low‑cost flight testing. We believe that the future of global security and stability require defensive technology that is lower cost, higher performing, better tested, and more broadly distributed than is possible today. Join us.

What we look for

• Mission-Driven Problem Solvers. The aerospace frontier demands ingenuity. We want team members who approach challenges with curiosity, embrace failure as a learning opportunity, and stay focused on delivering the best solution for the mission.
• Total Ownership. We seek staff and engineers who take full responsibility for contributing to and delivering flight‑ready work while recognizing that no one succeeds alone. The best engineers, corporate professionals, and technicians make their teammates better. Knowing that complementary skills create force multiplication and drive mission success.

Director, Test & Operations

Long Wall is seeking a Director of Test Engineering & Operations to lead all testing activities across component, subsystem, vehicle, and full‑system test campaigns. This leader will own both the engineering discipline of test (architecture, instrumentation, data systems) and the operational execution (facilities, GSE, procedures, and technicians). You’ll build and scale the testing infrastructure that underpins our rapid development cycles and ensures mission‑ready performance of our defensive systems. The ideal candidate has demonstrated capability as a hands‑on, strategic leader with deep experience in aerospace or high‑growth hardware environments, capable of building teams, developing robust processes, and driving complex test campaigns with speed, rigor, and exceptional engineering judgment.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead all test engineering activities, including test architecture, test stand design, instrumentation, data acquisition systems, qualification planning, and development of test procedures and methodologies.
• Own end‑to‑end test operations across component, subsystem, stage, and full system campaigns, ensuring safe, efficient, and repeatable execution of all test activities.
• Drive test readiness through test planning, scheduling, configuration control, hardware flow coordination, and managing risk through rigorous pre‑test and post‑test review processes.
• Work closely with the sites and facilities team to develop and manage test facilities, ground support equipment, and infrastructure required for engine, structural, environmental, and integrated vehicle testing.
• Build, mentor, and scale a high‑performing team spanning test engineering, test technicians, operators, and test site support functions.
• Ensure compliance with all safety, EHS, and regulatory requirements while establishing a strong culture of disciplined test execution.
• Partner closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Launch, and Program teams to ensure test assets and campaigns align with development priorities and delivery milestones.
• Oversee incident response, anomaly investigations, and corrective actions to ensure lessons learned drive organizational improvements.
• Manage budgets, capital planning, and vendor relationships related to test infrastructure, equipment, and site operations.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, electrical, or related engineering discipline; Master’s preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in test engineering, test operations, or integrated test roles in aerospace, defense, propulsion, or high‑growth hardware environments.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Proven hands‑on experience leading complex test campaigns at the component, subsystem, and system levels (e.g., propulsion, structures, avionics, integrated vehicle).
• 5+ years of people‑leadership experience overseeing multi‑disciplinary teams (test engineers, technicians, operators).
• Demonstrated ability to build and scale test infrastructure, including test stands, data acquisition systems, instrumentation, and control systems.
• Strong working knowledge of test methodologies, qualification and acceptance testing, instrumentation, DAQ systems, telemetry, and control‑room operations.
• Deep familiarity with test safety, hazard analysis, EHS/OSHA requirements, and disciplined test execution processes.
• Experience with root‑cause analysis, anomaly investigation, corrective action development, and structured post‑test reviews.
• Expertise in planning, scheduling, and managing test operations in coordination with engineering, manufacturing, and program teams.
• Strong communication, documentation, and stakeholder‑management skills.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Experience building or operating new test sites or major test infrastructure from the ground up.
• Background in missile systems, flight test, propulsion systems, or rapid‑test development programs.
• Familiarity with configuration management, requirements traceability, and systems engineering processes.
• Experience with automation, data pipelines, real‑time control systems, and advanced instrumentation.
• Prior startup or high‑growth environment experience where speed, adaptability, and hands‑on leadership are critical.
• Ability to work in outdoor, high‑energy test, or remote‑site environments.
• ITAR‑related experience and ability to maintain secure access compliance.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Can work in an indoor manufacturing environment 70%, outdoors 30%.
• Travel between our Port of Long Beach (70%), El Segundo (20%), and other facilities (10%) as required. Occasional travel to our other in‑state and out‑of‑state sites may be required.
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time.
• Ability to use a computer to complete assignments.
• Ability to communicate with individuals and groups in person, by phone, and telepresence.
• Ability to pick up to 12 lbs.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee will typically work in an office environment.

Compensation

$195,000 - $245,000 a year

Benefits

In addition to base pay and equity, we offer:

• Heavily employer‑subsidized medical, dental, and vision insurance plans
• Long Wall paid life insurance and LTD coverage
• 4% 401(k) match
• Student loan repayment assistance program
• Paid parental leave
• Family planning assistance program
• Long Wall paid financial wellness program
• Paid time off for non‑exempt employees and a flexible vacation policy for exempt employees

ITAR Requirement

This position requires access to information protected under US export control laws, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and/or the Export Administration Regulations. As such, US person status (including US citizens, U.S. permanent residents, individuals granted U.S. asylum status, or individuals admitted in U.S. refugee status) is a required qualification for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, genetics, or citizenship status (when otherwise legally authorized to work and access export‑controlled data) and will not be discriminated against on the basis of such characteristics or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. We encourage applicants of all ages.