Test Engineer - Multiple Levels

AeroVironment, Inc.; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 75,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) matching

9/80 work schedule

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. in Albuquerque, NM is seeking experienced Test Engineers to advance development, integration, verification, and qualification of aerospace and defense systems on site.

You will design test methods, execute verification activities, analyze results, and resolve issues across RF, electrical, mechanical and environmental domains, with opportunities to mentor teammates and lead test campaigns.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Systems, or Test Engineering or equivalent.
• Experience in test engineering, hardware integration, verification and validation, or product development.
• Ability to develop and execute test plans and procedures.
• Familiarity with test equipment, data acquisition, and troubleshooting.
• Strong problem-solving, documentation, and communication skills.
• U.S. citizen; ability to obtain security clearance if required.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute test plans and reports for components to full systems.
• Support hardware integration, functional testing, and production qualification.
• Design test setups, fixtures, instrumentation, and data acquisition systems.
• Perform electrical, RF, mechanical, environmental, and system-level testing.
• Analyze test data and drive root-cause investigation and corrective actions.
• Collaborate with systems, RF, electrical, software, and manufacturing teams.
• Review requirements and develop traceable verification methods.
• Support environmental testing (temp, vibration, humidity) and test readiness reviews.

Skills

Test engineering

Hardware integration

Verification & validation

Lab testing

Test automation

Systems verification

RF testing

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

LabVIEW

Python

MATLAB

Oscilloscopes

Job description

Worker Type Regular Job Description Summary AV is continuously seeking talented Test Engineers to work onsite at our Albuquerque, New Mexico office and support the development, integration, verification, and qualification of advanced aerospace, defense, RF, and electromechanical systems. Test Engineers at AV help transform innovative designs into reliable, mission-ready products by developing test methods, executing verification activities, analyzing results, and resolving technical issues. This posting is intended for candidates at multiple experience levels, with responsibilities and seniority aligned to qualifications, experience, and program needs. Whether your expertise is in RF testing, electrical systems, environmental qualification, hardware integration, test automation, or systems verification, AV offers opportunities to work on challenging products with a direct impact on critical missions.

Position Responsibilities

Depending on experience and program requirements, responsibilities may include:

• Develop and execute test plans, procedures, methods, and reports for components, assemblies, subsystems, and complete systems.
• Support hardware integration, functional testing, verification, validation, qualification, and production acceptance testing.
• Design and configure test setups, fixtures, instrumentation, data‑acquisition systems, and automated test solutions.
• Perform electrical, RF, mechanical, environmental, and system‑level testing.
• Collect, process, and analyze test data to evaluate performance and compliance with requirements.
• Troubleshoot test failures and hardware issues, perform root‑cause investigations, and support corrective actions.
• Collaborate with systems, RF, electrical, software, mechanical, manufacturing, quality, and program engineering teams.
• Review requirements and develop traceable verification methods and objective evidence.
• Support environmental testing, including temperature, thermal cycling, vibration, shock, humidity, and other qualification activities.
• Develop or maintain test scripts, automation tools, data‑processing utilities, and test documentation as applicable.
• Participate in design reviews, test readiness reviews, failure reviews, and production‑readiness activities.
• Support configuration management, revision control, engineering change processes, and test‑equipment calibration requirements.
• Interface with suppliers, customers, and test facilities as needed.
• Provide technical leadership, task ownership, or mentorship based on experience.
• Support occasional travel to customer, supplier, test, or field locations.

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Test Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Relevant experience in test engineering, hardware integration, verification and validation, laboratory testing, or product development.
• Level will be determined by qualifications and experience.
• Experience developing or executing engineering test plans and procedures.
• Familiarity with test equipment, instrumentation, data acquisition, and troubleshooting methods.
• Ability to analyze technical data and communicate clear conclusions and recommendations.
• Strong problem‑solving, documentation, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a hands‑on, multidisciplinary environment.
• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance, if required by the program.

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Experience testing RF, radar, communications, phased‑array, electronic warfare, embedded, or electromechanical systems.
• Experience with RF test equipment, including spectrum analyzers, signal generators, network analyzers, power meters, and oscilloscopes.
• Experience with environmental, vibration, shock, thermal, or qualification testing.
• Experience with automated test equipment, LabVIEW, Python, MATLAB, or similar programming and test‑automation tools.
• Familiarity with requirements management, verification matrices, and traceability processes.
• Experience with manufacturing test, production acceptance testing, or supplier qualification.
• Knowledge of configuration management, PLM/PDM systems, and engineering change processes.
• Familiarity with AS9100, ISO 9001, or other regulated engineering environments.
• Experience with formal failure reporting, root‑cause analysis, corrective actions, and continuous improvement.
• Experience leading test activities, developing test strategies, or mentoring engineers.

Core Competencies

• Test planning and execution
• Hardware integration and troubleshooting
• Requirements verification and validation
• Data collection, analysis, and reporting
• Test automation and instrumentation
• Root‑cause analysis and corrective action
• Cross‑functional collaboration
• Technical documentation and configuration control
• Hands‑on problem solving and task ownership

Career Framework

• Track: Engineering
• Discipline: Test Engineering
• Level: Based on qualifications and experience
• Focus Areas: RF Test, Systems Verification, Hardware Integration, Environmental Qualification, Manufacturing Test, Test Automation, and Field Test Support

Location

This position is based in either Albuquerque, NM.

Salary Range

$75,000 to $185,000 (This range is broad as we are hiring for multiple levels for this role. Salary will be determined within range at Entry, Mid, or Senior‑level based on level of experience.) The pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Determination of official compensation or salary relies on several factors including, but not limited to, level of position, job responsibilities, geographic location, scope of relevant work experience, educational background, certifications, contract‑specific affordability, organizational requirements, alignment with local internal equity as well as alignment with market data.

Benefits

• Our compensation package also includes components designed to support employees’ total well‑being, which should be considered when evaluating our competitive benefits package. These benefits include health insurance, life insurance, disability, company holiday and paid time off, parental leave, 401(k) company match and contributions, professional development/training reimbursements, and other work/life programs.
• AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown.
• For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.
• We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.

ITAR Requirement

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants will be asked to provide specific documentation to verify U.S. person status under the ITAR and the EAR. A “U.S. person” according to their definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee, or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Who We Are

Based in California, AeroVironment (AVAV) is a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Founded in 1971 by celebrated physicist and engineer, Dr. Paul MacCready, we’ve been at the leading edge of technical innovation for more than 45 years. Be a part of the team that developed the world’s most widely used military drones and created the first submarine‑launched reconnaissance drone, and has seven innovative vehicles that are part of the Smithsonian Institution’s permanent collection in Washington, DC. Join us today in developing the next generation of small UAS and tactical missile systems that will deliver more actionable intelligence to our customers so they can proceed with certainty – and succeed.

What We Do

Building on a history of technological innovation, AeroVironment designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services use the company’s hand‑launched UAS to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real‑time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition. We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.

About AV

AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission‑obsessed. The best of the best. We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI‑powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve. Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next. If you’re ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV.

Careers at AeroVironment

Careers at AeroVironment.