Test and Evaluation Instrumentation Engineer

Energetics Technology Center; Maryland; On-site; USD 91,000 - 163,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer-paid medical, dental, and/or—

401(k) with Safe Harbor match

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Energetics Technology Center in Indian Head, MD, seeks a full-time Test and Evaluation Instrumentation Engineer to plan and execute test events, source sensors and data-acquisition hardware, and transform results into clear technical findings for DoW customers.

The role blends hands-on lab and field work with data processing and reporting, requiring strong problem-solving and data-quality discipline and coordination with government and ETC engineers.

Qualifications

• Requires U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain/maintain U.S. SECRET clearance.
• Hands-on experience setting up and operating instrumentation, sensors, DAQ systems, or lab equipment.
• Knowledge of measurement uncertainty, calibration, signal conditioning, sampling, and data quality.

Responsibilities

• Plan and support test and evaluation activities, including setup, data collection, teardown, and post-test analysis.
• Identify, evaluate, and source sensors, instrumentation, data-acquisition equipment, and supporting hardware.
• Develop instrumentation layouts, channel lists, test procedures, and data-collection plans.
• Install, configure, troubleshoot, and operate test equipment and data-acquisition systems in lab and field environments.
• Verify system readiness through calibration checks and data validation.
• Organize, process, and analyze test data using engineering and statistical methods.
• Prepare quick-look products, technical reports, figures, and briefings explaining methods, results, limitations, and conclusions.
• Maintain test records, equipment docs, data files, and configuration information.
• Coordinate with ETC experts when specialized support is needed.

Skills

Instrumentation setup

Data acquisition

Measurement uncertainty

Data analysis

Technical writing

Team coordination

Security clearance

Problem solving

Lab and field work

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Data-acquisition systems

Sensors

Calibration equipment

High-speed cameras

Job description

Test and Evaluation Instrumentation Engineer
Energetics Technology Center (ETC)
Location: 4445 Indian Head Highway, Indian Head, MD 20640

The Energetics Technology Center (ETC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research and engineering organization founded in 2006 and headquartered in Indian Head, Maryland. ETC advances research, innovation, and workforce development in support of defense and national security missions. Working with government agencies, industry, universities, and regional partners, ETC helps strengthen the U.S. industrial base, mature and test critical technologies, and accelerate their transition into use. Its capabilities span energetic materials, warheads and fuzing, propulsion, modeling and simulation, data and digital engineering, test and evaluation, and manufacturing automation and modernization.

ETC is seeking a full-time Test and Evaluation Instrumentation Engineer to support test and evaluation programs for Department of War customers. This role focuses on planning and executing test events from initial setup through final reporting, selecting and integrating instrumentation and data-acquisition systems, collecting high-quality data, and converting test results into clear technical findings.

The work combines hands-on laboratory and field activity with data processing, analysis, and reporting. It requires practical problem-solving, attention to data quality, careful test execution, and close coordination with government and ETC engineers.

This is a full-time onsite position based at ETC's Indian Head office and the customer’s site. Work at customer laboratory and field-test locations will be required. Occasional travel and work outside normal business hours may be necessary to support scheduled test events, and limited remote flexibility may be available based on program and customer requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

• Plan and support test and evaluation activities, including test setup, instrumentation, data collection, teardown, and post-test analysis.
• Identify, evaluate, and source sensors, instrumentation, data-acquisition equipment, and supporting hardware.
• Develop instrumentation layouts, channel lists, test procedures, and data-collection plans.
• Install, configure, troubleshoot, and operate test equipment and data-acquisition systems in laboratory and field environments.
• Verify system readiness through calibration checks, signal validation, and pre-test checkout activities.
• Organize, process, and analyze test data using appropriate engineering and statistical methods.
• Prepare quick-look products, technical reports, figures, and briefings that explain test methods, instrumentation, results, limitations, and conclusions.
• Maintain test records, equipment documentation, data files, and configuration information.
• Coordinate with ETC subject-matter experts and other technical resources when specialized support is required.

Required Education:

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field. A master's degree in a relevant engineering or technical discipline is preferred.

Experience Level:

Minimum 2 years of relevant engineering, instrumentation, test and evaluation experience, or related technical experience; 3-5 years or more preferred.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• U.S. citizenship and current possession of, or eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. SECRET security clearance.
• Hands-on experience setting up and operating instrumentation, sensors, data-acquisition systems, or laboratory test equipment.
• Working knowledge of measurement uncertainty, calibration, signal conditioning, sampling, and data quality.
• Experience processing engineering test data and producing defensible technical analyses and reports.
• Ability to diagnose equipment and data-quality problems during time-sensitive test operations.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a small team in laboratory and field-test settings.
• Strong organization, technical writing, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work safely in laboratory, industrial, and field-test environments.

Desired Skills and Qualifications:

• Experience supporting Department of War test programs, energetics testing, or weapons-related testing.
• Experience with multichannel data-acquisition systems, trigger and timing systems, pressure transducers, high-speed cameras, thermal diagnostics, or comparable dynamic-test instrumentation.
• Relevant instrumentation, data-acquisition, laboratory safety, or test and evaluation training

What We Offer:

Hands-on engineering work supporting R&D test and evaluation programs, along with flexible work schedules, generous paid time off and holidays, employer-paid medical, dental, and vision options, tuition assistance, life and disability coverage, and a 401(k) plan with an immediate Safe Harbor employer match.

Compensation:

Compensation at ETC is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the combination of education, certifications, knowledge, skills, competencies, experience, internal and external equity, location, clearance level, as well as contract-specific affordability, and applicable employment laws. The estimated salary range for this positionis based on full time status.

Estimated Salary Range
USD $91,000.00 - USD $163,000.00 /Yr