Principal Test Systems Test Execution Lead (DOD Cleared)

Associates Systems LLC; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401K

PTO

Holidays

Job summary

Associates Systems LLC is seeking a Principal Test Systems Test Execution Lead in Tucson, AZ. This role requires leading multi-disciplinary engineering teams across technical areas while managing project execution from inception to completion. Candidates must have 8+ years of relevant experience and an active Secret clearance. Strong communication and engineering leadership skills are essential, along with familiarity with EVMS and program management tools. The position offers a full-time employment model and benefits including health, dental, and 401K.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of relevant engineering, test systems, program execution, or technical leadership experience.
• Experience supporting test systems engineering or equivalent engineering programs.
• Experience in production, manufacturing, product qualification, or similar test environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead multi‑discipline test engineering teams across electrical, software, mechanical, and related technical areas.
• Direct project execution from inception through completion.
• Oversee ongoing project execution, priorities, schedules, budgets, and operational deliverables.

Skills

Engineering leadership

Test systems engineering

EVMS

Budget management

Cross-functional leadership

Communication skills

Tools

Program management tools

Job description

All Qualified candidates will be responded to in 24 hours or less.

Active Secret clearance.

Employment type: Full Time W-2 or Contract.

Rate: open to Negotiation.

Benefits: including Health, Dental Vision, PTO, Holidays, 401K, etc.

Principal Test Systems Test Execution Lead

Location: Tucson, AZ
Clearance: Active Secret clearance required

Role Summary

Seeking a Principal Test Systems Test Execution Lead to support a Test Equipment Engineering organization in Tucson, AZ.

This role leads multi‑discipline engineering teams supporting test systems across manufacturing, production, qualification, integration, verification, validation, and maintenance environments. The position combines technical execution, program coordination, EVMS ownership, budget/schedule management, and cross‑functional leadership across electrical, software, mechanical, and test engineering teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead multi‑discipline test engineering teams across electrical, software, mechanical, and related technical areas.
• Direct project execution from inception through completion across technical, manufacturing, and administrative workstreams.
• Serve as an IPTL‑style lead for test systems engineering programs.
• Oversee ongoing project execution, priorities, schedules, budgets, and operational deliverables.
• Coordinate with program leadership, finance, planning, functional teams, and customer stakeholders.
• Support Earned Value Management activities, including cost, schedule, performance tracking, and reporting.
• Analyze program data, identify execution risks, and recommend corrective actions.
• Support proposal activity, business plans, work statements, specifications, BOEs, budgets, and contract inputs.
• Communicate test systems performance, risks, and execution status to functional leadership, program leadership, and customers.
• Drive alignment across engineering development, transition to production, production support, and sustainment activities.

Required Qualifications

• 8+ years of relevant engineering, test systems, program execution, or technical leadership experience.
• Active Secret clearance required.
• Experience with EVMS and program management.
• Experience supporting test systems engineering or equivalent engineering programs.
• Experience with hardware and test software development, integration, verification, validation, and maintenance.
• Experience in production, manufacturing, product qualification, or similar test environments.
• Experience with program management tools and processes, including:
  • EVMS
  • Integrated Master Plan
  • Integrated Master Schedule
  • Risk and Opportunity Management
• Experience managing budget, schedule, EAC process, and financial performance reporting.
• Experience generating Budget Change Requests and Basis of Estimates for engineering programs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing multi-disciplinary engineering teams.
• IPTL experience supporting program offices, cross‑functional teams, and internal/external customers.
• EVMS certification, program management certification, or equivalent program leadership certification.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to present performance results to functional and program leadership.
• Experience executing small to medium technical programs.
• Understanding of engineering development, transition to production, production support, and maintenance.
• Experience with proposal capture and contract processes, including:
  • RFP review
  • BOE preparation
  • Proposal submittal
  • Statement of Work development
  • Contract startup
  • Contract close‑out
• Experience with ATE/UUT test environments.
• Familiarity with Agile methodologies.