Senior Test Engineer – Electro Mechanical & Optical Systems

Kratos Defense and Security Solutions; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance

401(k) Savings Plan

Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)

Paid Time-Off (PTO)

Holidays

Education Reimbursement

Job summary

Kratos Defense and Security Solutions is seeking a Senior Test Engineer to lead system-level integration and complex test campaigns for advanced missile systems. You will architect test approaches, develop comprehensive documentation, and oversee integration readiness with tight adherence to safety and quality standards.

The role requires deep familiarity with guidance electronics, optical assemblies, and mechanical structures, plus the ability to coordinate across engineering, manufacturing,

Qualifications

• Extensive experience developing detailed test documentation for complex defense systems.
• Proven ability to lead system-level integration and test activities.
• Strong environmental test preparation and execution capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and close discrepancy reports and maintain configuration control.
• High mechanical aptitude with hands-on integration and test equipment.
• Active DoD SECRET clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead test plans, procedures, and readiness checklists for system-level testing.
• Define methodologies ensuring traceability to requirements across subsystems.
• Oversee integration activities including electrical, optical, and mechanical subsystems.
• Direct execution of test campaigns with data capture and safety standards.
• Coordinate test resources across teams to ensure readiness of hardware and facilities.
• Mentor junior engineers and technicians in test design and data collection.
• Support quality audits and customer reviews with complete test records.

Skills

Test documentation

System integration

Environmental testing

Discrepancy management

Mechanical aptitude

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

Hardware-in-the-loop

Test instrumentation

Job description

GENERAL JOB SUMMARY

The Senior Test Engineer will serve as a technical lead for system level integration and test activities supporting advanced electro mechanical and optical missile systems. The role includes architecting test approaches, developing comprehensive test documentation, overseeing integration readiness, and executing functional, environmental, and hardware in the loop test campaigns. This position requires deep familiarity with complex missile subsystems, including guidance electronics, optical assemblies, mechanical structures, and associated support equipment. The Senior Test Engineer will coordinate with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, and external partners to ensure test rigor, accuracy, and full verification and validation of system performance requirements. This role carries responsibility for establishing repeatable test processes, maintaining configuration control, and providing expert oversight for risk identification and mitigation.

Job Description

GENERAL JOB SUMMARY

The Senior Test Engineer will serve as a technical lead for system level integration and test activities supporting advanced electro mechanical and optical missile systems. The role includes architecting test approaches, developing comprehensive test documentation, overseeing integration readiness, and executing functional, environmental, and hardware in the loop test campaigns. This position requires deep familiarity with complex missile subsystems, including guidance electronics, optical assemblies, mechanical structures, and associated support equipment. The Senior Test Engineer will coordinate with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, and external partners to ensure test rigor, accuracy, and full verification and validation of system performance requirements. This role carries responsibility for establishing repeatable test processes, maintaining configuration control, and providing expert oversight for risk identification and mitigation.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

PRIMARY

• Lead the development, review, and maintenance of detailed test plans, procedures, workflows, and documentation for system?level integration, functional testing, and environmental test readiness.
• Define and implement test methodologies that ensure reliability, repeatability, and full traceability to requirements across electro?mechanical, optical, and guidance subsystems.
• Oversee integration and checkout activities including electrical interface verification, optical system alignment and validation, mechanical assembly readiness, telemetry/sensor checkout, and environmental test preparation.
• Direct execution of test campaigns, ensuring proper data capture, instrumentation usage, test article configuration control, and adherence to established safety and quality standards.
• Coordinate test resources and schedules across multiple teams to maximize efficiency and ensure readiness of hardware, facilities, and personnel.
• Conduct readiness assessments at internal and supplier locations to confirm integration, documentation, hardware status, and test equipment preparation.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for environmental test requirements such as vibration, thermal cycling, ESS, mass properties, and functional performance verification.
• Establish and maintain robust processes for test configuration management, discrepancy documentation, test article tracking, and closure of corrective actions.

SECONDARY

• Lead technical reviews for test documentation, discrepancies, engineering changes, and integration updates.
• Mentor junior engineers and technicians in test design, procedure development, data collection practices, and hardware integration techniques.
• Support quality audits, customer reviews, and compliance assessments by maintaining accurate and complete test records.
• Champion continuous improvement by contributing to Lessons Learned initiatives and driving enhancements to test workflow efficiency, documentation quality, and integration practices.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

Provides technical leadership and day to day guidance to early career engineers and technicians. May oversee small integration or test teams during major test operations.

Experience And Skills

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Required

• Extensive experience developing detailed test documentation, including test plans, procedures, readiness checklists, and post test reports for complex defense, aerospace, electro mechanical, or optical systems.
• Proven ability to lead system level integration and test activities involving electrical interfaces, mechanical structures, optical components, and embedded hardware/software.
• Strong competency in environmental test preparation and execution, including vibration, thermal cycling, thermal vac, or ESS.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and close discrepancy reports, integrate corrective actions, and maintain stringent configuration control.
• High mechanical aptitude and hands on proficiency with integration, checkout, and test equipment for missile class systems.
• Active DoD SECRET clearance.

Preferred

• Prior experience supporting government contract missile or guided weapon programs.
• Familiarity with hardware in the loop architectures, guidance electronics, optical test equipment, and precision environmental test instrumentation.
• Experience with supplier test readiness assessments, hardware acceptance processes, and multi discipline integration coordination.
• Knowledge of system reliability practices, environmental stress screening strategies, and test data interpretation for system performance validation.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline with 10+ years of relevant experience

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in office, integration lab, and environmental test facility environments. Tasks may include extended standing/walking, use of hand tools and specialized test equipment, repetitive integration operations, reaching/stooping, occasional lifting, and compliance with PPE and safety protocols.

TRAVEL

• Up to 30% Domestic

Job Benefits

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance Coverage
• Life/ADD & Short/Long Term Disability Insurance
• 401(k) Savings Plan
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• Paid Time-Off (PTO)
• Holidays
• Education Reimbursement

Kratos Defense is an Equal Opportunity Affidicative Action Employer. EOE, Minorities, Females, Vet, Disabled, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or any other protected class. All qualified job seekers are encouraged to apply. Kratos Defense is committed to America's veterans by providing opportunities for them to continue contributing after service to our nation. We also work to provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities.

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