Test Engineer

Leidos; California; On-site; USD 87,000 - 157,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Health and Wellness programs

Income Protection

Paid Leave and Retirement

Job summary

Leidos’ Undersea Systems Division is seeking a skilled Test Engineer to support and lead tasks with a large project team of engineers for Navy-sponsored, at-sea devices.

The role is hands-on and mechanical, requiring lab and field testing, materials management, and regulatory approvals. It is on-site in California with periodic travel.

Candidates should have a mechanical/ocean engineering background, be able to work independently, and obtain a SECRET clearance.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a SECRET security clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, ocean, or marine engineering.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a nautical-related engineering position.
• Hands-on electrical and mechanical assembly experience; willingness to assemble in shop.
• Willingness to travel four times per year.
• Physical ability to navigate lab, dockside, and vessel environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead test logistics, design and documentation, and test readiness meetings.
• Manage bills of materials, vendor solicitations, and purchase orders.
• Prepare technical documentation for approvals and interface with authorities.
• Design and execute lab testing of mechanical and electrical devices.
• Assist in designing fixturing and other mechanical/electrical devices.

Skills

Hands-on

3‑D CAD experience

Mechanical assembly

Independent work

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical/ocean/marine engineering

Tools

3‑D CAD software

Lab testing tools

Job description

Position Overview Leidos’ Undersea Systems Division is seeking a skilled Test Engineer who will be responsible for supporting and leading various tasks in conjunction with a large project team of engineers. The project team supports multiple Navy sponsors in designing, building, testing and fielding various devices at sea. The ideal candidate is hands‑on, mechanically inclined, organized, and comfortable operating in dynamic field and marine environments.

Skills & Key Responsibilities

• Test Director: Lead test logistics prep, design & documentation. Gaining water-space & environmental approvals. Lead test readiness meetings. Lead test mobilization, execution, demobilization & analysis.
• Mechanical Production Support: Managing bills of material, vendor solicitations, and purchase orders. Mechanical assembly & documentation. Managing technician labor. Performing pressure testing & pressure certification documents.
• Naval Install Specialist: Preparing technical documentation for approvals. Interacting with approving authorities. Installing/Uninstalling project materials on various Naval platforms.
• Lab Testing Support Designing & executing lab testing of mechanical / electrical devices. Operating gauges & instruments for measurements. Perform write‑ups & presentations of results.
• Mechanical Design Support Collateral duties in designing fixturing & various other mechanical / electrical devices.

Required Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a SECRET security clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, ocean or marine engineering.
• Minimum 1‑2 years’ experience aboard sea‑going vessels & ships handling equipment.
• Familiarity with basic configuration control and manufacturing practices.
• Familiarity and experience with 3‑D CAD software packages.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a nautical‑related engineering position.
• Hands‑on experience in electrical and mechanical assembly, with the willingness to perform assembly tasks in a shop environment.
• Ability to work independently or within a large group.
• Willingness to travel 4 times per year.
• Willingness to obtain US Passport.
• Physical ability to: Navigate lab, office, and warehouse environments—including frequent movement around piers, docks, and facility spaces with the ability to stoop, kneel, reach for extended periods, and transport objects weighing up to 50 lbs. across the facility.
• Use hands to precisely operate machinery, tools, and computer equipment.
• Climb ladders up to 20 ft and work comfortably in loud production environments, various temperatures, and inclement weather.
• This includes a willingness to work aboard marine vessels of various sizes, occasionally on an overnight basis.

Work Environment & Schedule

This position requires a combination of laboratory, fabrication shop, dockside, and at‑sea operational support. Candidates should be comfortable working in fast‑paced technical environments with shifting priorities and mission‑driven schedules. The work schedule is 9/80B, which includes every other Friday off. The work is on‑site only.

About Leidos – Undersea Systems Division

The Leidos Undersea Systems Division develops and supports advanced maritime and undersea technologies for national security, oceanographic research, and defense applications. Our teams deliver innovative engineering and operational solutions supporting critical undersea missions worldwide.

SUBSEAMSS

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Pay Range

Pay Range $87,100.00 - $157,450.00 The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers.

• competitive compensation
• Health and Wellness programs
• Income Protection
• Paid Leave and Retirement

More details are available here.

For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Securing Your Data

Leidos will never ask you to provide payment‑related information at any part of the employment application process. And Leidos will communicate with you only through emails that are sent from a Leidos.com email address. If you receive an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment‑related information or any other personal information, please report the email to [e-mail].

Commitment and Diversity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.