Senior Test Engineer & Manager

Mtsi Va; Dayton (OH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO 20 days

10 holidays

Health insurance

Flexible schedules

ESOP

401k match

Annual education reimbursement

Bonus program

Job summary

Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. (MTSI) seeks a Senior Test Engineer & Manager to lead ground and flight tests for AFWERX SBIR/STTR programs. You will guide startups through test plans, safety reviews, and Air Force approvals while coordinating across AFRL, test ranges, and stakeholders.

You will also mentor diverse teams, develop documentation, and drive automation with SharePoint, Power Automate, and Power BI, enabling rapid, safe testing and reporting.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship with an active Secret clearance (ability to obtain TS).
• BS and MS in engineering or a related technical discipline.
• 10+ years of test engineering or related experience.
• Experience leading or conducting complex flight testing.
• Experience with SharePoint, Power Automate, and Power BI workflows.
• Ability to work with diverse partners from startups to Air Force safety authorities.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, schedule, and execute ground and flight tests for emerging aerospace systems.
• Manage multiple test programs at different planning/execution stages.
• Guide SBIR-funded startups through test plan development and safety reviews.
• Assess teams’ test experience and tailor mentorship accordingly.
• Develop and submit test plans, safety packages, and briefing materials.
• Obtain test approvals through AFRL, ranges, and Air Force stakeholders.
• Advise on test methodologies, data collection, and best practices.
• Analyze, interpret, and report test results for various systems.
• Use SharePoint, Power Automate, and Power BI to automate tracking and reporting.
• Collaborate with AFRL Operations, Safety, AFWERX Compliance, and other partners.
• Drive continuous improvement of AFWERX test processes and automation.
• Serve as senior technical leader while performing hands-on engineering tasks.

Skills

Flight test leadership

Test planning

Safety documentation

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Test program coordination

Mentorship

Education

BS in engineering or related field

MS in engineering or related discipline

Tools

SharePoint

Power Automate

Power BI

Job description

The Senior Test Engineer & Manager for AFWERX leads multiple simultaneous ground and flight test efforts that support innovative small businesses developing emerging aerospace technologies through the Air Force SBIR/STTR program. On a typical day, the candidate will meet with startup teams to guide them through test planning, review technical and safety documentation, coordinate with Air Force Research Laboratory Operations and Safety divisions, and prepare test plans, briefings, and approval packages. They will manage the scheduling and execution of tests across various ranges and test organizations, provide expert advice on test discipline, data collection, and analysis methods, and track program status using SharePoint workflows, Power Automate processes, and Power BI dashboards.The candidate will regularly interact with a broad set of stakeholders—including the AFWERX compliance team, AFRL engineers, technical points of contact, cybersecurity and spectrum specialists, environmental reviewers, contracting personnel, and test range operators—to ensure safe, compliant, and efficient test execution. This role combines senior technical leadership with hands‑on engineering work, requiring adaptability, clear communication, and the ability to help diverse teams navigate Air Force test processes from initial planning through final reporting.How you will contribute to our National Security and Defense missionAs a Senior Test Engineer and Manager supporting AFWERX, you will play a critical role in accelerating the development, testing, and fielding of next‑generation aerospace technologies for the U.S. Air Force. AFWERX partners with small businesses through the SBIR/STTR program to drive innovation, rapid prototyping, and operational capability. In this position, you will guide multiple companies—ranging from first‑time innovators to seasoned flight test professionals—through the full lifecycle of ground and flight testing for cutting‑edge systems.Your work directly impacts the Air Force’s ability to adopt emerging technologies more quickly, safely, and effectively; improves operational readiness; and strengthens America’s strategic advantage in the air and space domains.You’ll be a great fit for this role if:You’re passionate about shaping the future of aerospace and national defense through innovation.You excel at balancing creativity with disciplined safety practices.You are energized by working with diverse teams—from small business innovators to senior Air Force engineers.You thrive in environments with ambiguity, evolving requirements, and rapid iteration.You are a strong, empathetic communicator who adjusts your guidance based on the experience level of each test team.You take pride in continuous improvement, process optimization, and finding smarter ways to work.You want to make a meaningful impact by enabling technologies that will directly benefit Airmen and Guardians in the field.Responsibilities:Your essential responsibilities include, but are not limited to:Plan, coordinate, schedule, and execute ground and flight tests for a wide range of emerging aerospace systems.Manage and oversee multiple test programs simultaneously—each at different stages of planning, approval, execution, and reporting.Guide SBIR‑funded startups and small businesses through test plan development, refinement, safety reviews, and Air Force approval processes.Assess each team’s level of test experience and tailor your mentorship accordingly—ranging from hands‑on coaching to high-level technical guidance.Develop and submit test documentation including test plans, safety packages, briefings, technical review materials, and flight approval artifacts.Obtain test approvals through AFRL, military test ranges, test organizations, and other Air Force stakeholders.Advise companies on ground and flight test methodologies, data collection strategies, and best practices for test discipline.Analyze, interpret, and report on test results for systems such as sUAS, counter‑UAS, electric aircraft, autonomous payloads, navigation and sensor packages, airspace monitoring systems, and related technologies.Utilize Microsoft SharePoint, Power Automate, and Power BI to automate test program tracking, build workflows, and provide reporting dashboards.Collaborate with a broad stakeholder network including AFRL Operations, AFRL Safety, AFWERX Compliance, AF Technical Points of Contact, test ranges, cybersecurity SMEs, spectrum management, contracting officers, and environmental experts.Drive continuous improvement of AFWERX test processes, tools, documentation standards, and automation methods.Serve as a senior technical leader while also performing hands-on engineering tasks — writing plans, conducting reviews, creating briefings, and directly supporting test execution.Required Qualification:U.S. Citizenship.Active Secret clearance, with ability to obtain TS after hiring.BS and MS in engineering or a related technical discipline.10+ years of test engineering or related experience.Demonstrated experience leading or conducting complex flight testing.Experience developing and reviewing test plans, safety documentation, and approval packages.Experience with Microsoft SharePoint, Power Automate, and Power BI for workflow and dashboard development.Ability to work effectively with diverse partners, from startup teams to Air Force safety authorities.Desired Qualifications:Graduate of a military test pilot school or equivalent structured test program.Certifications or formal training in Power BI and Power Automate.Experience applying artificial intelligence or autonomy in aerospace testing or data analysis.Familiarity with test data systems such as telemetry, flight recording systems, sensor packages, geofencing tools, flight termination systems, and digital test card workflowsAdditional NotesTravel up to approximately 15% may be required.This role requires strong adaptability, self‑motivation, attention to detail, and the ability to thrive in an innovation‑driven environmentClearance Requirements: A SECRET Clearance is required.U.S. Citizenship is required#LI-MS1#MTSISecretPerks and BenefitsVacation:New Hires Accrue 20 days of PTO and 10 Holidays per YearHealth Insurance:Zero Deductible Health PlansFlexible Schedules:Flex SchedulesProfessional Development:Up to $10,000 Annual Education/Training ReimbursementESOP:Funded Stock Ownership Plan401k Match+:6% 401k Match + Immediate VestingBonus Program:Semi-Annual Bonus OpportunityMentorship:Career Mentorship ProgramsWhy is MTSI a great place to workInteresting Work:Our co-workers support some of the most important and critical programs to our national defense and security.Values:Our first core value is that employees come first. We challenge our co-workers to provide the highest level of support and service, and reward them with some of the best benefits in the industry.100% Employee Owned:We have a stake in each other's success, and the success of our customers. It's also nice to know what's going on across the company; we have company wide town-hall meetings three times a year.Great Benefits - Most Full-Time Staff Are Eligible for:Starting PTO accrual of 20 days PTO/year + 10 holidays/yearFlexible schedules6% 401k match with immediate vesting up to $9k annuallySemi-annual bonus eligibility (July and Decemeber)Company funded Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) - a separate qualified retirement accountUp to $10,000 in annual educational reimbursementOther company funded benefits, like life and disability insuranceOptional zero deductible Blue Cross/Blue Shield health insurance planTrack Record of Success:We have grown every year since our founding in 1993.Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. (MTSI) is a 100% employee-owned engineering services and solutions company that provides high-demand technical expertise in Digital Transformation, Modeling and Simulation, Rapid Capability Development, Test and Evaluation, Artificial Intelligence, Autonomy, Cybersecurity and Mission AssuranceMTSI delivers capabilities to solve problems of global importance. Founded in 1993, MTSI today has employees at over 20 offices and field sites worldwide.For more information about MTSI, please visitwww.mtsi-va.comEEO StatementMTSI embraces nine core values including our first core value of Employees come first. Consistent with our Core Values, we are committed to Equal Opportunity, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, military/veteran status, disability, or any other characteristics protected by applicable law. MTSI is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with physical and/or mental disabilities.Why is MTSI a great place to workInteresting Work: Our co-workers support some of the most important and critical programs to our national defense and security.Values: Our first core value is that employees come first. We challenge our co-workers to provide the highest level of support and service, and reward them with some of the best benefits in the industry.100% Employee Owned: We have a stake in each other's success, and the success of our customers. It's also nice to know what's going on across the company; we have company wide town-hall meetings three times a year.Great Benefits - Most Full-Time Staff Are Eligible for:Starting PTO accrual of 20 days PTO/year + 10 holidays/yearFlexible schedules6% 401k match with immediate vesting up to $9k annuallySemi-annual bonus eligibility (July and Decemeber)Company funded Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) - a separate qualified retirement accountUp to $10,000 in annual educational reimbursementOther company funded benefits, like life and disability insuranceOptional zero deductible Blue Cross/Blue Shield health insurance planTrack Record of Success: We have grown every year since our founding in 1993.Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. (MTSI) is a 100% employee-owned engineering services and solutions company that provides high-demand technical expertise in Digital Transformation, Modeling and Simulation, Rapid Capability Development, Test and Evaluation, Artificial Intelligence, Autonomy, Cybersecurity and Mission AssuranceMTSI delivers capabilities to solve problems of global importance. Founded in 1993, MTSI today has employees at over 20 offices and field sites worldwide.For more information about MTSI, please visit www.mtsi-va.com