Senior Lead Experimentation Engineer

Chitra Productions; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Chitra Productions seeks a Senior Lead Experimentation Engineer to guide planning, design, execution, and analysis of experiments evaluating emerging technologies and operational concepts for defense, aerospace, or commercial programs.

The role requires leading multidisciplinary teams, defining MOEs/MOPs/KPIs, coordinating field tests and simulations, and presenting findings to senior leadership while mentoring engineers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, CS, physics, math, OR requested field.
• 10–15+ years in systems engineering, experimentation, T&E, modeling, or operational analysis.
• Experience leading complex projects and multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong knowledge of experimental design and statistics.
• Ability to translate operational requirements into measurable test objectives.
• Excellent communication, briefing, and technical writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead experimentation campaigns, demonstrations, and technology evaluations.
• Design rigorous test plans and evaluation methodologies.
• Define MOEs, MOPs, and KPIs.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams of engineers, operators, analysts.
• Plan field tests, labs, simulations, and operational assessments.
• Analyze results and develop actionable recommendations.
• Oversee data collection, validation, and reporting.
• Mentor junior staff and manage schedules and risks.

Skills

Experimental design

Statistical analysis

Systems engineering

Modeling & simulation

Python / MATLAB / R

Test planning & execution

Requirements analysis

Risk analysis & decision support

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, Operations Research, or related

Master’s degree or Ph.D. in a technical field

Tools

MATLAB

Simulink

STK

JIRA

Confluence

Cameo Systems Modeler

Tableau

Power BI

Job description

Position Summary

The Senior Lead Experimentation Engineer leads the planning, design, execution, and analysis of experiments to evaluate emerging technologies, operational concepts, system performance, and mission effectiveness. This role combines systems engineering, data analytics, modeling and simulation, test, and evaluation, and operational research to support technology maturation and informed decision-making for government, defense, aerospace, or commercial organizations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of experimentation campaigns, demonstrations, and technology evaluations.
• Design rigorous test plans, experimental frameworks, and evaluation methodologies.
• Define measures of effectiveness (MOEs), measures of performance (MOPs), and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Coordinate cross-functional teams, including engineers, operators, analysts, and stakeholders.
• Plan and execute field tests, laboratory experiments, modeling and simulation activities, and operational assessments.
• Analyze experimental results and develop actionable recommendations.
• Oversee data collection, validation, statistical analysis, and reporting activities.
• Support concept development, capability assessments, and technology transition efforts.
• Present technical findings and strategic recommendations to senior leadership and customers.
• Mentor junior engineers, analysts, and technical staff.
• Manage experimentation schedules, resources, risks, and technical objectives.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, Operations Research, or a related technical discipline.
• Typically 10–15+ years of experience in systems engineering, experimentation, test and evaluation, modeling and simulation, or operational analysis.
• Experience leading complex technical projects and multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong knowledge of experimental design and statistical analysis techniques.
• Ability to translate operational requirements into measurable test objectives.
• Excellent communication, briefing, and technical writing skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in a technical field.
• Experience supporting the Department of Defense, aerospace, intelligence, or federal government programs.
• Knowledge of Joint, Service, or combatant command experimentation processes.

Experience with:

• Operational Test & Evaluation (OT&E)
• Developmental Test & Evaluation (DT&E)
• Digital engineering environments
• Modeling and simulation frameworks
• Wargaming and operational analysis
• Artificial intelligence and autonomous systems evaluation
• Active Secret or TS/SCI security clearance.

Desired Technical Skills

• Experimental design and statistical methods
• Data analytics and visualization
• Systems engineering
• Modeling and simulation
• Python, MATLAB, R, or similar analytical tools
• Test planning and execution
• Requirements analysis and capability assessment
• Risk analysis and decision support
• Verification and validation methodologies

Common Tools and Platforms

• MATLAB
• Simulink
• STK
• JIRA
• Confluence
• Cameo Systems Modeler
• Tableau
• Power BI

Leadership Responsibilities

• Lead technical teams and experimentation efforts across multiple projects.
• Establish experimentation strategies, standards, and best practices.
• Coordinate with government sponsors, program managers, and operational users.
• Provide technical oversight and quality assurance for experimentation activities.
• Mentor and develop engineering and analytical personnel.