EO/IR Systems Test Lead – Defense Programs

QinetiQ US (formerly Avantus Federal); Fort Belvoir (VA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

QinetiQ US is seeking an experienced EO/IR Systems Engineer to serve as the Test Manager for the Army Javelin Seeker effort. The role provides programmatic Test & Evaluation oversight across the acquisition life cycle and coordinates with government and industry stakeholders.

The candidate will lead test planning, readiness, execution, and reporting, ensure traceability from requirements to tests, and support critical Army milestones requiring a strong systems engineering foundation and DoD

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical, Optical, or Systems Engineering, or a related technical STEM discipline; equivalent military experience may be considered.
• 7+ years of progressive systems engineering and Test and Evaluation (T&E) experience supporting defense acquisition programs.
• Demonstrated experience supporting acquisition-level qualification, verification, and T&E activities across the full acquisition life cycle.
• Working knowledge of U.S. Army T&E processes, including coordination with ATEC, RTC, and other government test stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex T&E efforts in support of Government program objectives with limited day-to-day direction.
• Experience developing, reviewing, or assessing test plans, procedures, readiness documentation, and test reports for complex defense systems.
• Experience supporting the development, integration, qualification, or test and evaluation of EO/IR systems, seekers, sensors, or other complex electro-optical payloads.
• Strong technical briefing, analytical, and technical writing skills.
• Active DoD Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

• Author, update, and staff the component Test and Evaluation (T&E) strategy and test plans in alignment with System Specifications, the RVTM, and applicable Army regulations to support EMD activities and component qualification.
• Lead Test and Evaluation Working Integrated Product Teams (T&E WIPTs) and chair Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs); participate in System Functional Reviews (SFRs), Preliminary Design Reviews (PDRs), Critical Design Reviews (CDRs), and technical interchange meetings.
• Guide test activities in accordance with the program Systems Engineering Plan (SEP); manage the RVTM to ensure rigorous, end-to-end verification and formal requirements closure.
• Ensure traceability between system requirements, verification methods, qualification events, and test results.
• Establish specialized sub-working groups as required, deconflict technical issues, enable cross-IPT data sharing, and elevate unresolved risks to the SEIT.
• Manage the T&E schedule within the IMS, and coordinate range facilities, assets, and test resources with Army stakeholders.
• Provide systems and test engineering oversight of contractor-performed test events; evaluate T&E-related contract data requirements including test strategies, verification plans, qualification procedures, safety documentation, and test reports for technical rigor and contractual compliance.
• Witness, or designate staff to witness, on-site and laboratory testing; monitor test data collection to support independent system evaluations.
• Support independent technical assessment of test adequacy, qualification status, system performance, and program risk.
• Lead technical investigations for test anomalies, root cause analyses, corrective action plans, and regression or retest activities.
• Identify, monitor, and track T&E programmatic risks and associated mitigation plans.
• Synthesize complex test data and risk assessments into executive-level briefings and system assessment reports.

Skills

Systems engineering

Test & Evaluation

DoD clearance

Technical briefing

Requirements traceability

Education

BS in Aerospace/ Electrical/ Mechanical/ Optical/ Systems Engineering

Tools

MATLAB

Python

Job description

QinetiQ US is seeking an experienced EO/IR Systems Engineer to serve as the Test Manager for the Army Javelin Seeker effort. The role provides programmatic Test & Evaluation oversight across the acquisition life cycle and coordinates with government and industry stakeholders.

The candidate will lead test planning, readiness, execution, and reporting, ensure traceability from requirements to tests, and support critical Army milestones requiring a strong systems engineering foundation and DoD