Test Engineer

Kratos Defense and Security Solutions; Crane (IN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision

Life/Disability Insurance

401(k) Plan

ESPP

PTO & Holidays

Education Reimbursement

Job summary

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. seeks a Test Engineer to lead integration and test activities for hypersonic test vehicles at the Crane, Indiana facility.

You will plan, develop procedures, schedule, and execute system, flight, ground, and simulation tests with close collaboration to Engineering, Manufacturing, QA and external stakeholders. You will manage hardware/software integration, verify performance, and document processes while mitigating safety and schedule risks.

Qualifications

• Experience developing and executing detailed test procedures for complex aerospace, defense, or high performance systems.
• Ability to create, track, complete and close discrepancy reports.
• Familiarity with telemetry checkout equipment and other vehicle/payload ground support equipment operations.
• Strong mechanical aptitude for performing fit checks, integration operations, and hands-on hardware verification.
• Active DoD SECRET clearance.

Responsibilities

• Develop, document, and execute test workflows and procedures.
• Lead end-to-end test campaign lifecycle activities including planning, procedure development, integration, execution, and data capture.
• Lead, oversee, and refine system integration processes for test vehicles and checkout operations.
• Manage test schedules in coordination with fellow Test Engineers and area managers.
• Coordinate with contractors and teams to facilitate testing, integration, and execution of test vehicles.
• Site visits to experimenter locations to confirm readiness for vehicle integration.
• Create and maintain workflows supporting efficient testing operations.
• Provide SME guidance for vehicle readiness, integration readiness, and risk mitigation.

Skills

Test procedures

Discrepancy reports

Telemetry equipment

Mechanical aptitude

DoD SECRET clearance

Education

Bachelor’s degree + 3–5 years

5–7 years experience in lieu of degree

Tools

Telemetry checkout equipment

Job description

Job Description

The Test Engineer will lead system integration and test activities for hypersonic test vehicles and related subsystems. This role is responsible for planning, developing procedures, scheduling, and executing system-level, flight, ground, and simulation tests. Key duties include managing hardware and software integration, ensuring adherence to test standards and protocols, and verifying/validating system performance requirements. The Test Engineer will coordinate closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, and external stakeholders to ensure test readiness, capture and analyze results, document integration processes, and proactively mitigate technical, safety, and schedule risks. The role also includes coordinating test schedules with other missions and Test Engineers to optimize usage of Integration and Environmental Test resources.

Location

• Crane, IN

Essential Job Functions

Primary

• Develop, document, and execute test workflows and procedures.
• Lead end?to?end test campaign lifecycle activities including planning, procedure development, integration, execution, and data capture.
• Lead, oversee, and refine system integration processes for supersonic and hypersonic test vehicles, including mechanical, electrical, avionics, and telemetry checkout operations.
• Manage test schedules in coordination with fellow Test Engineers and area managers.
• Coordinate with contractors, sub-contractors, experiment and project teams to facilitate the testing, integration, and execution of test vehicles.
• Conduct site visits to experimenter locations to confirm readiness for vehicle integration prior to arrival at the Indiana Payload Integration Facility.
• Create and maintain workflows that support efficient testing operations.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for vehicle readiness, integration readiness, test configuration control, and test -related risk identification/mitigation.

Secondary

• Review and contribute to Lessons Learned databases to support continuous improvement across missions.
• Generate and manage discrepancy reports and ensure timely tracking, traceability, documentation and closure.
• Assist with configuration management of test documents, hardware status, and integration records.
• Provide technical mentoring and oversight to early career Test Engineers and integration technicians.
• Support internal and external audits and quality inspections.

Supervisory Responsibility

Limited supervisory responsibility with Subject Matter Expert level oversight for technical activities, process compliance, and mentorship for junior engineers and technicians.

Experience and Skills

Job Skills

Required

• Experience developing and executing detailed test procedures for complex aerospace, defense, or high performance systems.
• Ability to create, track, complete and close discrepancy reports.
• Familiarity with telemetry checkout equipment and other vehicle/payload ground support equipment operations.
• Strong mechanical aptitude for performing fit checks, integration operations, and hands?on hardware verification.
• Active DoD SECRET clearance.

Preferred

• Prior experience supporting DoD or private testing campaigns working on government contracts.
• Hands-on integration experience with hardware and/or software systems.
• Experience supporting rocket launched or high performance systems.
• Familiarity with environmental test systems such as vibration, mass properties, flight safety processes, and telemetry integration.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field with 3–5 years of relevant experience
• OR 5–7 years of relevant experience in lieu of degree

Travel

• Up to 30%

Work Environment

The role operates in office settings, assembly/integration settings, and field operation/test range environments. Office work includes being seated or standing at a desk, operating a computer and reading a monitor. Assembly/integration work includes extended standing/walking; use of hand tools and test equipment; repetitive tasks; reaching/stooping; occasional lifting/moving of equipment or materials; adherence to safety protocols and required PPE.

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

Equal Opportunity Statement

Kratos Defense is an Equal Opportunity Aff…Kratos Defense is an Equal Opportunity 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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