Senior Test Engineer

Lifecycle Defense Solutions, LLC.; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Lifecycle Defense Solutions, LLC. seeks a Lead Test & Evaluation Engineer to drive verification, qualification, and sustainment strategies for critical defense platforms. You will lead end-to-end T&E across the technology life cycle—from S&T prototypes to formal Program Office integration and fielding.

This role involves complex engineering challenges with legacy systems, incomplete documentation, and subsystem modernization, with selection contingent upon contract award.

Qualifications

• Citizenship & security clearance: U.S. Citizenship with active DoD Secret or eligibility for one.
• Education: BS in Engineering, CS, Physics, or related STEM field.
• Experience: 10+ years in DoD systems engineering, integration, and Test & Evaluation.
• Domain Expertise: DoD program offices, DoD S&T, or defense labs.
• Acquisition Knowledge: experience with TEMPs, test plans, procedures, reports, TRRs.
• Core competencies: analytical writing, root-cause analysis, executive briefings.

Responsibilities

• Test Planning & Strategy Execution: create and maintain TEMPs, VCRMs, test procedures, and test reports.
• Program Office & Stakeholder Alignment: participate in TRRs, WIPTs, TIMs, and CTTs; interface with PEOs and test centers.
• Technical Analysis & System Modernization: manage defect tracking, RCFA, regression tests, and evaluate legacy components; support acquisition packages and risk mapping.

Skills

DoD systems engineering

Test & Evaluation

Root-cause analysis

Technical writing

Executive briefing

Education

Bachelor of Science in Engineering

Tools

MATLAB

Python

Job description

We are seeking a Lead Test & Evaluation Engineer to drive verification, qualification, and sustainment strategies for critical defense platforms. In this role, you will lead end-to-end T&E efforts across the technology life cycle—transitioning innovations from Science & Technology (S&T) prototypes through formal Program Office integration and operational fielding. You will frequently tackle complex engineering challenges involving legacy systems, incomplete documentation, and subsystem modernization.

Please note: Selection for this position is contingent upon contract award.

Key ResponsibilitiesTest Planning & Strategy Execution

• Author, refine, and maintain key acquisition test documentation, including Test & Evaluation Master Plans (TEMPs), verification cross-reference matrices (VCRMs), detailed test procedures, and formal test reporting.
• Translate system, software, cyber, safety, and operational requirements into precise, quantifiable verification parameters.
• Direct developmental, qualification, integration, regression, and system-level test events across laboratory, hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL), and range environments.

Position Type: Full-Time / Exempt Status: Contingent upon Contract Award

Role Overview

We are seeking a Lead Test & Evaluation Engineer to drive verification, qualification, and sustainment strategies for critical defense platforms. In this role, you will lead end-to-end T&E efforts across the technology life cycle—transitioning innovations from Science & Technology (S&T) prototypes through formal Program Office integration and operational fielding. You will frequently tackle complex engineering challenges involving legacy systems, incomplete documentation, and subsystem modernization.

Please note: Selection for this position is contingent upon contract award.

Key ResponsibilitiesTest Planning & Strategy Execution

• Author, refine, and maintain key acquisition test documentation, including Test & Evaluation Master Plans (TEMPs), verification cross-reference matrices (VCRMs), detailed test procedures, and formal test reporting.
• Translate system, software, cyber, safety, and operational requirements into precise, quantifiable verification parameters.
• Direct developmental, qualification, integration, regression, and system-level test events across laboratory, hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL), and range environments.

Program Office & Stakeholder Alignment

• Lead engineering participation in Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs), T&E Working-level Integrated Product Teams (WIPTs), Technical Interchange Meetings (TIMs), and Combined Test Teams (CTTs).
• Interface directly with key acquisition and test stakeholders, including Program Executive Offices (PEOs), service test centers (e.g., ATEC, AEC), DOT&E, and primary defense vendors.
• Review, evaluate, and provide formal recommendations on contractor deliverables (CDRLs), vendor test plans, and verification data packages.

Technical Analysis & System Modernization

• Oversee deficiency identification, root-cause failure analysis (RCFA), corrective action tracking, and regression testing schedules.
• Evaluate replacement components and software upgrades for legacy systems to ensure functional, interface, and operational continuity.
• Provide T&E expertise for acquisition packages, assisting with Performance Work Statements (PWS), Statements of Work (SOW), RFPs, technical evaluations, risk assessments, and schedule mapping.
• Synthesize raw test metrics into actionable executive briefings and status reports for Government decision-makers.

Required Qualifications

• Citizenship & Clearance: U.S. Citizenship with an active DoD Secret security clearance (or verified eligibility to obtain and maintain one).
• Education: Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a closely related STEM discipline.
• Experience: 10+ years of progressive experience in DoD systems engineering, integration, and Test & Evaluation.
• Domain Expertise:
• Proven track record supporting DoD Program Offices, Government S&T organizations, or defense laboratories.
• Direct experience planning and executing developmental, SIL/HWIL, laboratory, and field/platform-level tests.
• Practical experience evaluating, upgrading, or sustaining complex legacy military systems.
• Acquisition Knowledge: Hands-on experience developing formal test artifacts (TEMPs, test plans, procedures, reports) and leading TRRs or equivalent milestone gates.
• Core Competencies: Strong analytical, technical writing, root-cause analysis, and executive briefing skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• DoD Acquisition Framework: Deep understanding of DoD 5000-series acquisition policies, DAU/DAU-equivalent test directives, and Joint test infrastructure.
• Data & Analytics: Proficiency using MATLAB, Python, or specialized data analytics tools to process telemetry, sensor, and high-frequency flight test data.
• Stakeholder Network: Familiarity with Redstone Arsenal defense organizations, program offices, and local engineering stakeholder networks.