Principal Test Engineer

Voyager Technologies, Inc.; Pueblo (CO); On-site; USD 145,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Voyager Technologies, Inc. is hiring a Principal Test Engineer to own the full test lifecycle for R&D and production LATs on solid rocket motors and energetic materials.

You will design instrumentation, review data, and lead cross-functional teams to ensure safety, quality, and program success. The role requires 10+ years of hands-on test engineering, deep data acquisition expertise, and the credibility to lead high-stakes test events where failure is not an option.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 10+ years in test engineering, instrumentation, and data acquisition.
• Direct experience with solid rocket motor build and testing or propulsion test operations.
• Demonstrated experience as Test Engineer/Conductor on complex aerospace programs.
• Deep expertise in instrumentation and data acquisition system design and validation.
• Experience planning, authoring, and executing LAT or production tests.
• Experience applying structured failure review methodologies with formal corrective action docs.
• Commitment to safety culture in regulated environments (OSHA, ITAR).

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end test lifecycle for R&D and LATs, ensuring safety, quality, and program objectives.
• Lead planning, setup, and execution of complex R&D tests for solid rocket motors and energetic systems.
• Own and execute production LATs, develop procedures, manage configuration, disposition results.
• Design, configure, and validate instrumentation and data acquisition systems (shock, vibration, temperature, pressure, strain, thrust).
• Define test facility requirements and collaborate on test stand design and SCADA/DAQ integration.
• Lead failure review and root cause analyses with formal corrective actions.
• Prepare and lead TRRs and post-test debriefs; capture lessons learned.
• Act as SME for stakeholder engagements and support proposals and cost estimates.
• Train and mentor new test engineers and technicians.

Skills

Test engineering

Instrumentation & data acquisition

LAT/production testing

Safety compliance

Root-cause analysis

Test planning & reporting

OSHA/ITAR compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace/Mechanical/Electrical Eng. or related (10+ years in test)

Master's degree in relevant field (8+ years)

Tools

LabVIEW

NI PXI/CompactDAQ

DEWESoft

NI TestStand

MATLAB

SCADA/HMI

Job description

Voyager is an innovative space, defense, and national security technology company committed to advancing and delivering transformative, mission-critical solutions. We tackle the most complex challenges to unlock new frontiers for human progress, fortify national security, and protect critical assets to lead in the race for technological and operational superiority from ground to space.

Forge the Future: Join Voyager Technologies

The future belongs to those who build it. At Voyager Technologies, we’re building technologies that protect lives, expand frontiers and prepare us for what’s next. And we’re doing that with people who are wired to solve, build, adapt and lead. These roles are not for the faint of heart.

You’ll help lay the foundation for humanity's future. Join a culture where innovation thrives, curiosity is rewarded, and impact is real. We’re a company of doers, thinkers and builders, united by purpose and grounded in reality.

If you want to put your skills to work where the stakes are real and the mission is bigger than any one person, forge the future with Voyager.

The Principal Test Engineer will be located onsite in Pueblo, CO and reports to the Mission Infrastructure Engineering Manager. This role serves as the senior technical authority for testing across Voyager Energetics — owning the full test lifecycle from planning and instrumentation through execution, data review, and disposition — for both highly complex R&D test programs and production Lot Acceptance Tests (LATs) on solid rocket motors and energetic materials. With 10+ years of hands‑on test engineering experience, this individual brings rigorous first‑principles thinking, deep instrumentation and data acquisition expertise, and the credibility to lead test events where failure is not an option.

• Own the end-to-end test lifecycle for R&D and production programs — from test requirements review, test plan authoring, and instrumentation design through execution, data reduction, and formal test reporting — ensuring all test events meet safety, quality, and program objectives.

Lead the planning, setup, and execution of highly complex R&D test programs for solid rocket motors and energetic systems, including rocket motor builds, static test firings, propulsion

• characterization tests, and developmental component evaluations; serve as Test Engineer and/or Test Conductor at test stand.
• Own and execute production Lot Acceptance Tests (LATs) for solid rocket motors — developing and maintaining LAT procedures, managing test article configuration control, executing tests to procedure, and dispositioning results against acceptance criteria.
• Design, configure, and validate instrumentation and data acquisition systems (shock, vibration, temperature, pressure, strain, thrust, mass flow rate) for both one‑shot R&D events and repeatable production test environments; achieve 100% data acquisition success on every test event.
• Define and maintain test facility and test stand requirements — collaborating with Mission Infrastructure Engineering on new test stand design and commissioning, and with Automation & Controls Engineering on SCADA, DAQ, and control system integration.
• Lead failure review and anomaly resolution processes — applying structured root cause and corrective action methodologies (5-Why, fishbone, 8D) to test anomalies, hardware failures, and data discrepancies; author formal investigation reports.
• Author and maintain test documentation to production standards, including test plans, test procedures, ICDs, SOPs, calibration records, test reports, and traceability matrices linking test results to program requirements.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Systems Engineering, Process Engineering, Manufacturing, Safety, and Compliance to embed test requirements into product design and manufacturing processes, and to support process hazard analysis and safety reviews for test operations.
• Prepare and lead Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs) and post-test debriefs — ensuring test teams, facilities, and hardware are verified ready prior to every test event, and that lessons learned and action items are formally captured and closed following each event.
• Serve as the test operations Subject Matter Expert (SME) for internal and external stakeholder engagements — representing Voyager Energetics' test capabilities, status, and technical approach in customer reviews, program meetings, and regulatory discussions.
• Support proposal development and cost estimating efforts — providing test engineering input on scope, schedule, resources, and risk for new programs and contract bids.
• Train and develop new test engineers and technicians — transferring test methodology, procedures, safety protocols, and operational standards to build team capability and depth.

If your experience aligns with our basic qualifications and you are inspired by our mission, we’d like to connect. If you don’t see the right role right now, Join Our Talent Community and stay connected as we continue to build what’s next.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline with 10 years of experience in test engineering, instrumentation, and data acquisition OR Master's degree in a relevant field with 8 years of experience.
• Direct experience with solid rocket motor build and testing, liquid or hybrid propulsion testing, or other energetic system test operations — including familiarity with test facility safety requirements and explosives handling procedures.
• Demonstrated experience as Test Engineer and/or Test Conductor on complex, multidisciplinary test programs for aerospace propulsion, energetic systems, or comparable high-consequence test environments — including direct responsibility for test readiness, execution, and data disposition.
• Deep expertise in instrumentation and data acquisition system design, configuration, calibration, and validation across sensor types including pressure, temperature, strain, vibration, shock, thrust, and mass flow rate.
• Proven experience planning, authoring, and executing Lot Acceptance Test (LAT) or production acceptance test programs — including procedure development, configuration control, results disposition, and customer or regulatory interface.
• Experience applying structured failure review and root cause analysis methodologies (5-Why, fishbone, 8D, PFMEA) to test anomalies, hardware failures, and data discrepancies, with formal corrective action documentation.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety culture and ability to operate within rigorous regulatory environments including OSHA, ITAR, process hazard analysis, and energetic or hazardous materials test safety standards.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency with test-specific software and hardware platforms such as LabVIEW, NI PXI/CompactDAQ, DEWESoft, NI TestStand, MATLAB, or SCADA/HMI systems in a test environment.

Travel, Physical and Government Mandated Requirements

• Travel up to 10%, including the possibility of overnights within the continental United States.
• Ability to lift, move, or carry items or equipment up to 50 pounds. Comfortable standing, walking, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, and crouching in a manufacturing and test environment; use of personal protective equipment required.
• Candidates must meet all eligibility requirements to obtain and maintain applicable state and federal explosives licenses, including minimum age requirements (21 and over), a drug‑free workplace in compliance with the Drug‑Free Workplace Act of 1988 (41 U.S.C. §§ 8101–8106), Executive Order 12564 (Drug‑Free Federal Workplace), applicable Department of Defense directives including DoD Instruction 1010.09 and DFARS 252.226‑7003, and successful completion of any legally required background investigations.U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the

The good faith base salary rangefor this role is $145,000–$165,000 at the time of this posting. Where you fall within the range depends on your experience, skills, and location. This range reflects base salary only and does not include benefits or bonus/incentive. This range may be adjusted in the future.

Voyager offers a highly competitive total compensation package designed to support the well‑being, growth, and success of our employees. Employeesbenefitfrom a flexible and comprehensive rewards program that supports both professional and personal well‑being.

• Flexible Time Off (FTO), empowering employees to take the time they need to recharge and maintain a healthy work‑life balance
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their families, with a significant portion of premiums covered by the company and many benefits paid at 100% for employees
• Flexible, affordable gym memberships with 12,700+ options nationwide, including 24 Hour Fitness, EoS Fitness, Crunch Fitness, Anytime Fitness, Blink Fitness, Chuze Fitness, and more! No long‑term contracts and FREE on‑demand workout videos before you enroll
• 401(k) retirement plan with a 50% company match on contributions up to 8%, supporting long‑term financial security
• Company wellness programs that support physical and mental well‑being
• Additional voluntary benefits and employee support resources
• The opportunity to work alongside a highly talented team in an innovative, mission‑driven environment

Voyager is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) (22 CFR Parts 120–130) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (15 CFR Parts 730–774), applicants for this position must be a U.S. Person: a US Citizen, a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., or a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3). Applicants must be eligible to obtain any required export authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran

The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe the general content and requirements for performance of this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties, responsibilities, and requirements. This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter the scope of work within the framework of this job description at any time without prior notice.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in Voyager Technologies, Inc.’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A \"disabled veteran\" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A \"recently separated veteran\" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An \"active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran\" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An \"Armed forces service medal veteran\" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.