Test Operations Lead

CHAOS Industries; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401k with company match

Free daily lunch

No meeting Fridays

Unlimited PTO

Job summary

CHAOS Industries is seeking a Test Operations Lead to organize, schedule, and execute test activities for next-generation radar systems. This role focuses on coordination, logistics, and ensuring smooth operations, translating the Chief Engineer’s plans into actionable steps.

You will manage resources, facilitate communication across teams, and support successful test execution in a fast-paced environment. Willingness to travel up to 50% and ability to obtain a security clearance are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, physics, or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in radar systems, RF systems, or defense sensor development.
• Proven track record leading complex system test programs in fast-paced environments.
• Understanding radar systems and RF fundamentals, system integration and verification, test design and data analysis.
• Deep experience running field tests and working in operational environments.
• Ability to debug across hardware, firmware, and software.
• Strong ownership mindset to take systems from concept to proven capability.
• Travel up to 50% as needed and ability to obtain a security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Support the Chief Engineer in implementing test plans and strategies by managing schedules, resources, and logistics.
• Coordinate test campaigns by arranging facilities, travel, equipment, and personnel.
• Serve as the main point of contact for test logistics, ensuring stakeholders are informed and aligned.
• Prepare and distribute test documentation, schedules, and reports as directed by the Chief Engineer.
• Manage communication and timelines with external partners, such as drone or aircraft pilots.
• Track progress on test objectives, milestones, and deliverables, providing updates to the Chief Engineer.
• Organize and facilitate meetings, reviews, and after-action debriefs.
• Assist with procurement and shipment of test materials and equipment.
• Help maintain records of test activities and outcomes.

Skills

Radar systems

RF fundamentals

System integration

Test design

Instrumentation

Data analysis

Debug across stack

Ownership mindset

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, physics, or related field

Job description

CHAOS Industries is redefining modern defense with a multi-product portfolio that gives the ultimate advantage—domain dominance. The company's products are powered by Coherent Distributed Networks (CDN™), empowering warfighters, commercial air operators, and border protection teams to act faster, adapt rapidly, and stay ahead of evolving threats.

CHAOS Industries was founded in 2022 and has raised a total of $1 billion in funding from leading investors, including 8VC, Accel, and Valor Equity Partners. The company is headquartered in Los Angeles, with offices in Washington, D.C., San Francisco, San Diego, Seattle, and London. For more information, please visit www.chaosinc.com.

Role Overview

We are seeking a Test Operations Lead to work closely with the Chief Engineer, providing essential support in organizing, scheduling, and executing test activities for next-generation radar systems. This role is primarily focused on coordination, logistics, and ensuring smooth operations, rather than technical engineering or design. You will help translate the Chief Engineer’s plans into actionable steps, manage resources, and facilitate communication across teams to ensure successful test execution.

Responsibilities

• Support the Chief Engineer in implementing test plans and strategies by managing schedules, resources, and logistics
• Coordinate test campaigns by arranging facilities, travel, equipment, and personnel
• Serve as the main point of contact for test logistics, ensuring all stakeholders are informed and aligned
• Prepare and distribute test documentation, schedules, and reports as directed by the Chief Engineer
• Manage communication and timelines with external partners, such as drone or aircraft pilots
• Track progress on test objectives, milestones, and deliverables, providing regular updates to the Chief Engineer
• Organize and facilitate meetings, reviews, and after-action debriefs
• Assist with procurement and shipment of test materials and equipment
• Help maintain records of test activities and outcomes
• Support the Chief Engineer in balancing priorities and resolving issues as they arise
• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, physics, or related field
• 10+ years of experience in radar systems, RF systems, or defense sensor development
• Proven track record leading complex system test programs in fast-paced environments
• Understanding of:
  • Radar systems and RF fundamentals
  • System integration and verification
  • Test design, instrumentation, and data analysis
  • Deep experience running field tests and working in operational environments
  • Ability to debug across the stack: hardware, firmware, and software
• Strong ownership mindset—you take systems from concept to proven capability
• Travel up to 50% as needed to support product and customer objectives
• Ability to obtain a security clearance

Preferred Requirements

• Experience with multi-static or phased array radar systems
• Background in DoD programs, military testing, or classified systems
• Experience building test organizations in a startup or rapid-development environment
• Familiarity with autonomy, tracking systems, or sensor fusion
• Active security clearance

Why CHAOS?

• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision benefits 100% paid for by the company
• Additional benefits: 401k (+ 50% company match up to 6% of pay), FSA, HSA, life insurance, and more
• Our Perks: Free daily lunch, ‘No meeting Fridays’, unlimited PTO, casual dress code
• Compensation Components: Competitive base salaries, generous pre-IPO stock option grants, relocation assistance, and (coming soon!) annual bonuses
• Team Growth: 250 employees and counting across 5 global offices

Salary Information

Salary Range: $170,000 - $220,000

The stated compensation range reflects only the targeted base compensation range and excludes additional earnings such as bonus, equity, and benefits. If your compensation requirements fall outside of the range, we still encourage you to apply. The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations.

Please note this position does not necessarily require eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.

As set forth in CHAOS Industries’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.