Test Engineering Manager

Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense; Moorpark (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense is seeking a Test Engineering Manager to lead a team of test engineers across environmental, mechanical, and explosive testing at Moorpark, CA. This first-shift, on-site role reports to the Director of Engineering and focuses on safe, rigorous testing throughout the product life cycle.

You will mentor engineers, drive test planning, RCCA, and continuous improvement while coordinating with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and customers to support

Qualifications

• BS/MS in Engineering or related technical discipline.
• 8+ years of engineering experience including test engineering in high-reliability environments.
• 3+ years of technical and/or people leadership experience in engineering, manufacturing, or lab settings.
• Strong problem-solving, troubleshooting, and root-cause analysis skills.
• Experience with 3D CAD and 2D drawings; SolidWorks preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead safe and effective environmental, mechanical, and explosive testing.
• Mentor and develop Test Engineers, building a collaborative, accountable team.
• Set priorities, goals, and performance expectations aligned with EBAD objectives.
• Lead test planning, resource allocation, scheduling, and readiness reviews.
• Ensure rigorous engineering practices for test planning, data analysis, documentation, and configuration control.
• Maintain visibility of schedules and risks, escalate issues early, coordinate cross-functional solutions.
• Support proposals, cost/scope estimates, customer interactions, witness testing, and technical reviews.
• Improve test processes, equipment, fixtures, tooling, instrumentation, and laboratory capabilities.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Project management

Problem solving

Communication

Root cause analysis

Test engineering

Education

BS/MS in Engineering or related technical discipline

Tools

SolidWorks

Oscilloscopes

Data acquisition systems

VR9500 or similar systems

Job description

At Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company (EBAD), we believe that our strengths are built on our most important resource - our people. Join EBAD and you'll be a part of a team who creates cutting edge technology that will blast us into the future. No other company can match the innovative energetic solutions that we provide. At EBAD you will actively contribute to successful missions putting men, women and satellites into space, and protecting our armed service men and women around the world. If this is the culture and work environment you are seeking, then EBAD is the place for you!Job DescriptionEBAD is seeking an experienced Test Engineering Manager to lead a team of Test Engineers supporting environmental, mechanical, and explosive testing across the product life cycle. Reporting to the Director of Engineering, this role combines technical leadership, people development, and operational execution to ensure safe, rigorous, and efficient testing.The Test Engineering Manager works closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, EHS, Program Management, and customers to support product development, qualification, production, troubleshooting, and failure analysis.This is a first-shift, on-site position in Moorpark, CA.Responsibilities:Lead the safe and effective execution of environmental, mechanical, and explosive testing.Lead, mentor, and develop Test Engineers while building a collaborative, accountable, and high-performing team.Establish priorities, goals, and performance expectations aligned with EBAD business objectives and customer commitments.Lead test planning, resource allocation, scheduling, Test Planning Meetings, and Qualification Test Readiness Reviews.Ensure rigorous engineering practices for test planning, execution, data analysis, documentation, and configuration control.Maintain visibility of schedules and risks, escalate issues early, and coordinate solutions across cross-functional teams.Drive structured problem solving, RCCA, standard work, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement.Support proposals, cost and scope estimates, customer interactions, witness testing, and technical reviews.Improve test processes, equipment, fixtures, tooling, instrumentation, and laboratory capabilities.Support capital planning for test equipment, infrastructure, and capability expansion.Requirements:BS/MS in Engineering or a related technical discipline.Minimum of 8 years of relevant engineering experience, including test engineering experience in aerospace, defense, energetic systems, medical devices, or another high-reliability technical environment.Minimum of 3 years of technical and/or people leadership experience in an engineering, manufacturing, laboratory, or test environment.Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop engineers and technical personnel.Strong problem-solving, troubleshooting, and root cause analysis skills.Strong project management, resource planning, and prioritization skills.Effective written, verbal, technical, and customer-facing communication.Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, test requirements, and test data.Experience with 3D CAD and 2D drawings; SolidWorks preferred.Knowledge of manufacturing processes, rapid prototyping, and product development.Preferred Experience:Environmental and mechanical testing, including vibration, shock, altitude/vacuum, temperature, humidity, tensile, and compression testing.Test instrumentation including oscilloscopes, thermocouples, accelerometers, pressure transducers, data acquisition systems, and VR9500 or similar systems.Explosive materials, energetic devices, and/or explosive testing.Experience improving engineering processes, standard work, test methods, or laboratory operations.Compensation:Salary Range: $150,000–$190,000 per year. Actual compensation will be determined based on education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, internal equity, and alignment with market data.Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, national origin, or veteran status.