Senior Test Engineer i Electro Mechanical & Optical Systems

Kratos Defense & Rocket Support Services, Inc; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Kratos Defense & Rocket Support Services, Inc. is seeking a Senior Test Engineer to serve as a technical lead for system‑level integration and test activities of advanced electro‑mechanical and optical missile systems.

You will architect test approaches, develop comprehensive documentation, oversee readiness, and execute functional and environmental campaigns. This role requires deep familiarity with missile subsystems, including guidance electronics, optical assemblies, and structural hardware.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience developing detailed test documentation including test plans and post-test reports for defense/ aerospace systems.
• Proven ability to lead system-level integration and test activities involving electrical interfaces, optics, mechanics, and embedded hardware/software.
• Experience in environmental test preparation and execution (vibration, thermal cycling, ESS).
• Active DoD SECRET clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead development, review, and maintenance of test plans, procedures, and documentation for system-level integration and testing.
• Define methodologies ensuring reliability, repeatability, and traceability across subsystems.
• Oversee integration and checkout activities—including electrical interfaces, optical alignment, and environmental readiness.
• Direct test campaigns, ensuring data capture, proper configuration control, and safety/quality compliance.
• Coordinate test resources and schedules across teams to maximize efficiency.
• Conduct readiness assessments at internal and supplier locations for integration and equipment prep.
• Serve as SME for environmental test requirements such as vibration, thermal cycling, and ESS.
• Maintain robust test configuration management and discrepancy closure processes.

Skills

System-level integration

Test documentation development

Environmental test execution

Discrepancy management

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

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.

Keyword: Electro-Mechanical, Optical Engineering

Required Experience

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 mult discipline integration coordination.
• Knowledge of system reliability practices, environmental stress screening strategies, and test data interpretation for system performance validation.

Education and Experience

Bacheloris 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

From: Kratos Defense