Test Engineer III

Sierra Nevada Corporation; Hagerstown (MD); On-site; USD 104,000 - 142,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision plans

401(k) with 150% match up to 6%

Life insurance

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Sierra Nevada Corp seeks a Test Engineer III to lead development and execution of comprehensive test plans for advanced aerospace and defense systems. You will manage multiple test projects, ensure product compliance and drive rigorous system testing across mission equipment including communications, computing, navigation, and surveillance systems.

The role emphasizes hands-on testing, documentation, collaboration with systems engineering and program management, and mentoring junior engineers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Aerospace or Systems Engineering or related field.
• 6+ years of aerospace or defense test engineering experience.
• Advanced understanding of test and evaluation principles and methodologies.
• Experience with verification and validation activities.
• Ability to read schematics and follow test procedures.

Responsibilities

• Plan and document flight test plans, procedures, and reports.
• Coordinate test strategies, schedules, risk, and resources.
• Execute development, qualification, and flight test activities for aircraft mission systems.
• Operate RF and electronic test equipment including spectrum analyzers and multi-meters.
• Integrate, troubleshoot, and support aircraft integration and test anomalies.
• Participate in TRR, Safety Review Boards, and post-test data analysis.
• Collaborate with systems engineering, avionics, software, and program management; mentor junior engineers.

Skills

Test engineering

Verification & Validation

Technical leadership

Documentation

Reading schematics

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field

Tools

RF test equipment

Spectrum analyzers

Network analyzers

Multi-meters

Data acquisition units

Accelerometers

Job description

Do you have an eye for detail and enjoy working with amazing products and tools? Join us in championing and protecting explorers and heroes! As a Test Engineer III, you will lead the development and execution of comprehensive test plans for advanced aerospace and defense systems. This role requires in-depth expertise in testing methodologies and the ability to manage multiple test projects simultaneously, ensuring product compliance and performance. Our testing approach evolves with the design maturity, extending from initial stages through to post-production follow-ups on subsequent articles. The role involves extensive system testing, aimed at assessing a broad spectrum of mission equipment such as communication, computing, navigation, and surveillance systems, to ensure they meet design and functionality standards. Please note, this role does not require any knowledge or skills related to software or automation testing.

The Mission Solutions and Technologies (MST) business area provides affordable, turn-key command/control, communications, integrated ISR, force protection and security solutions worldwide. The MST team has a long legacy of supporting the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, commercial and international customers with years of experience in platform operations, engineering and full lifecycle management across domains – air, land, sea, space and cyber.

Responsibilities

• Planning & Documentation Develop and maintain flight test plans, test procedures, and test reports in accordance with program and customer requirements.
• Support program-level test planning, including strategies, schedules, risk identification, and resource coordination.
• Hands-on Testing Execute developmental, qualification, and flight test activities for aircraft mission systems and avionics.
• Operate RF and electronic test equipment, including spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, multi-meters, data acquisition units, and various transducers and accelerometers.
• Integration & Troubleshooting Support aircraft integration, subsystem checkout, and test anomaly investigation and resolution.
• Participate in Test Readiness Reviews (TRR), Safety Review Boards, and post-test data analysis.
• Collaboration & Leadership Interface with systems engineering, avionics, software, and program management to ensure test activities align with technical, cost, and schedule objectives.
• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to junior test engineers.

Qualifications You Must Have

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 6+ years of experience in aerospace or defense test engineering.
• Higher level relevant degree may substitute for experience.
• Advanced understanding of test and evaluation principles and methodologies.
• Proven knowledge of engineering principles and practices.
• Experience working in multi-disciplinary design and development teams.
• Experience with planning, conducting and documenting Verification and Validation (V&V) activities.
• Ability to read schematics, use service manuals, follow test procedures, and use logical trouble shooting techniques.
• FAA Class III Medical Certification required. Candidates without current certification must obtain it prior to hire.
• Ability to complete Altitude Chamber training and qualification.
• Hands‑on experience with RF and electronic test equipment (spectrum/network analyzers, multi‑meters, data acquisition units, transducers, accelerometers).
• Experience developing and executing ground and flight test plans and procedures.
• Strong background in requirements management (derivation, traceability, verification, and selloff).
• Excellent technical documentation and communication skills.
• Familiarity with aircraft avionics systems, architectures, and integration.
• Active United Stated Secret security clearance.
• Ability to obtain Top Secret clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) eligibility.

Qualifications We Prefer

• Experience supporting DoD programs, ISR platforms, and/or missionized aircraft.
• Familiarity with MIL-STD and aerospace standards (e.g., DO-160, MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-461).
• Experience supporting FAA and/or military (DoD) certification efforts.
• Knowledge of requirements management tools (DOORS, Jama).
• Prior experience in a lead test or integration IPT role.
• Familiarity with Product and Quality Assurance principles and experience in generation and disposition of product non-conformances.
• Experience with various testing equipment, standards, and methodologies, including manual and automated testing.

Essential Functions

• Ability to work on a computer for extended periods.
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs regularly.
• Occasional travel may be required.
• Ability to work in an office, lab, hangar, or offsite environment.

This posting will be open for application for a minimum of 5 days and may be extended based on business needs.

Estimated Starting Salary Range: $103,565.21 - $142,402.17. Compensation varies depending on a wide array of factors, such as candidates' key skills, relevant work experience, and education/training/certifications. The disclosed range estimate may be adjusted for any applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled.

Benefits

• SNC offers a generous benefit package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with 150% match up to 6%, life insurance, 3 weeks paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and more.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This position requires current/active Secret U.S. Security Clearance. U.S. Citizenship status is required as this position needs an active U.S. Security Clearance for employment. Non-U.S. Citizens may not be eligible to obtain a security clearance. The Department of Defense Consolidated Adjudications Facility (DoD CAF), a federal government agency, handles the adjudicative aspects of the security clearance eligibility process for industry applicants. Adjudicative factors which affect the outcome of the eligibility determination include, but are not limited to, allegiance to the U.S., foreign influence, foreign preference, criminal conduct, security violations and illegal drug use. Learn more about the background check process for Security Clearances.

SNC is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to an environment free of discrimination.

Employment decisions are based on merit without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law.

SNC is a global leader in aerospace and national security committed to moving the American Dream forward. We’re known and respected for our mission and execution focus, agility, and disruptive and rapid innovation. We provide leading edge technologies and transformative solutions that support our nation’s most critical security needs. If you are mission-focused, thrive in collaborative environments, and want to make our country stronger with state-of-the-art technologies that safeguard freedom, join our team! SNC is a trusted global leader in aerospace and national security. Our innovative solutions enable connected protection through command, control and communications systems, as well as ISR, cyber, electromagnetic spectrum management, and other high capabilities for systems across all domains – sea, land, air, space and cyber. As a longstanding leader in defense technology, SNC is the optimum intersection of commercial, defense and non-traditional contractors. We are one of the only privately owned mid-tier A&D contractors and we pride ourselves on our ability to invest early and often to ensure mission success on or ahead of schedule. It’s part of our mission to always stay one step ahead; working on solutions today to solve the problems of tomorrow. Founded in 1963, SNC is owned by Chairwoman Eren Ozmen and CEO Fatih Ozmen.