Principal Test Engineer

Astrion; Utah; On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Astrion seeks a Principal Test Engineer to join the USAF C3BM effort at Hill AFB in Ogden, UT. The role demands US citizenship and an active Secret clearance, with extensive DoD test experience and leadership across the DoD lifecycle.

You will drive test concept development, DoE-based optimization, documentation, and cross-functional coordination with engineering, cybersecurity, logistics, software, and OT teams to ensure mission readiness and timely program milestones.

Qualifications

• Citizenship: Must be a US Citizen
• Clearance: Must hold an active Secret clearance
• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in a related field and 20 years of experience in the respective technical/professional discipline, 10 of which in the DoD OR, 30+ years directly related experience, 12 in the DoD
• Strong knowledge of DoD test and evaluation requirements, standards, and acquisition frameworks
• Experience with full test and evaluation lifecycle including planning, execution, data collection, analysis, verification, validation, and operational testing
• Proficiency in applying DoE methodologies to optimize test strategies and data quality
• Experience validating test environments, ensuring readiness for verification and fault testing
• Experience analyzing complex software/hardware data and providing actionable recommendations
• Experience supporting systems acquisition and product lifecycle activities
• Leadership and collaboration across engineering, acquisition, cybersecurity, logistics, software, and OT organizations

Responsibilities

• Support the entire testing lifecycle including test concept and methodology development, detailed test planning, execution, data analysis, and end-user operational testing
• Develop and document test plans, criteria, specifications, cost estimates, and technical reports
• Apply DoE techniques to optimize test strategies and resource use
• Evaluate test environments for configuration accuracy and operational relevance
• Analyze and interpret complex data to assess performance and draw conclusions
• Provide findings and recommendations to program leadership and test teams; identify scheduling conflicts and support deconfliction
• Apply engineering judgment and develop innovative solutions to DoTE challenges
• Independently manage tasks with limited supervision and periodic reviews

Skills

Test lifecycle

DoD standards

Test planning

DoE methods

Test environments

Data analysis

Program lifecycle

Collaboration

Communication

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree + 20 years

30+ years DoD exp

Job description

Overview

PRINCIPAL TEST ENGINEER

LOCATION: Hill AFB, UT

JOB STATUS: Full-time

CLEARANCE: Secret

TRAVEL: 5% CONUS

Astrion has an exciting opportunity for a Principal Test Engineer providing support to support theCommand, Control, Communications, and Battle Management (C3BM) at Hill AFB in Ogden Utah. C3BM functions as the Air Force’s technical, acquisition and sustainment experts providing unique and comprehensive support to the warfighter.

The ADE Division is responsible for a vast array of USAF systems to include Electronic Warfare, Range Systems, Range Instrumentation, Air Combat Training and Aircrew Readiness, Command and Control Systems, Advanced Radar Threat Systems, Combat Survivor Evader Locator, P5 Combat Training Systems, Black Switch and Legacy Voice Systems. Furthermore, the ADE Division provides support to depot level sustainment and maintenance efforts, FMS, U.S. Army, Navy, Pacific Air Forces, Air Combat Command (ACC), Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC), and Air Education and Training Command (AETC) on a continuous basis.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS:

Minimum Required Qualifications

Citizenship: Must be a US Citizen

Clearance: Must hold an activeSecret clearance

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field and 20 years of experience in the respective technical/professional discipline being performed, 10 of which must be in the DoD OR,
• 30+ years of directly related experience, 12 of which must be in the DoD

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS:

Technical Skills

• Extensive experience supporting the full test and evaluation lifecycle, including test concept development, test planning, execution, data collection, analysis, verification, validation, and operational testing.

• Strong knowledge of DoD test and evaluation requirements, standards, and acquisition frameworks, including DoDI 5000.02, AFI 63-101/20-101, and lifecycle testing activities supporting defense acquisition programs.

• Expertise in developing comprehensive test plans, procedures, evaluation criteria, technical reports, schedules, and cost estimates to support program objectives and milestone decisions.

• Proficient in applying Design of Experiments (DoE) methodologies to optimize test strategies, improve data quality, reduce risk, and maximize resource utilization.

• Skilled in evaluating and validating test environments and system configurations, ensuring operational relevance, accuracy, and readiness for verification and fault-testing activities.

• Advanced ability to analyze complex software, hardware, and system-performance data, identify trends, assess effectiveness, and provide actionable recommendations to stakeholders.

• Experience supporting systems acquisition and product lifecycle activities, ensuring test strategies align with program schedules, technical requirements, and mission objectives.

Interpersonal Skills

• Demonstrates exceptional communication and coordination skills, effectively presenting technical findings, risks, and recommendations to program leadership, engineers, and operational stakeholders.

• Excels in cross-functional collaboration, working closely with engineering, acquisition, cybersecurity, logistics, software, and operational test organizations to achieve testing objectives.

• Applies strong problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities to resolve complex test challenges, evaluate alternatives, and recommend effective courses of action.

• Exercises sound engineering judgment and innovation when addressing emerging technical issues, schedule conflicts, and test execution constraints.

• Possesses a strong customer-focused support mindset, ensuring testing activities provide meaningful insights that support mission success and informed decision-making.

• Capable of independently managing multiple priorities, coordinating competing test events, and maintaining focus in fast-paced, high-visibility environments.

• Demonstrates leadership through initiative, accountability, adaptability, and a commitment to delivering high-quality technical products with minimal supervision.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Duties include, but not limited to:

• Support the entire testing lifecycle including test concept and methodology development, detailed test planning, execution, data analysis, and end-user operational testing.

• Develop and document test plans, criteria, specifications, cost estimates, and technical reports.

• Apply Design of Experiments (DoE) techniques to optimize test strategies and resource use.

• Evaluate test environments for configuration accuracy, operational relevance, and availability for fault testing and verification.

• Analyze and interpret complex data to assess software/hardware performance and draw meaningful conclusions.

• Provide detailed findings, analysis, and recommendations to program leadership and test teams. Identify schedule conflicts between multiple test events/releases and support deconfliction and prioritization.

• Apply engineering judgment and develop innovative solutions to address test & evaluation challenges.

• Independently manage tasks and deliverables, with only limited supervision and periodic detailed review.