Senior Test Engineer - Electro Mechanical & Optical Systems Kratos Defense - 3.4 Birmingham, AL Job Details Full-time 18 hours ago Benefits AD&D insurance Employee stock purchase plan Paid holidays Disability insurance Health insurance Dental insurance 401(k) Tuition reimbursement Paid time off Vision insurance Qualifications Quality control corrective actions Laboratory testing protocol documentation Electro-mechanical components Performance testing in mechanical engineering Test Case Documentation (Quality assurance practices) Technical documentation Configuration management Quality reports Optics Policy & process development Bachelor's degree in engineering Electronics test documentation Electrical reliability testing Engineering environmental testing Mechanical knowledge Test Planning (Quality assurance practices)
Full Job Description Job Description:
Shift:
First Shift
GENERAL JOB SUMMARY
The Senior Test Engineer will serve as a technical lead for system level integration and test activities supporting advanced electro?mechanical and optical missile systems. The role includes architecting test approaches, developing comprehensive test documentation, overseeing integration readiness, and executing functional, environmental, and hardware?in?the?loop test campaigns. This position requires deep familiarity with complex missile subsystems, including guidance electronics, optical assemblies, mechanical structures, and associated support equipment. The Senior Test Engineer will coordinate with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, and external partners to ensure test rigor, accuracy, and full verification and validation of system performance requirements. This role carries responsibility for establishing repeatable test processes, maintaining configuration control, and providing expert oversight for risk identification and mitigation.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
PRIMARY:
Lead the development, review, and maintenance of detailed test plans, procedures, workflows, and documentation for system?level integration, functional testing, and environmental test readiness. Define and implement test methodologies that ensure reliability, repeatability, and full traceability to requirements across electro?mechanical, optical, and guidance subsystems. Oversee integration and checkout activities including electrical interface verification, optical system alignment and validation, mechanical assembly readiness, telemetry/sensor checkout, and environmental test preparation. Direct execution of test campaigns, ensuring proper data capture, instrumentation usage, test article configuration control, and adherence to established safety and quality standards. Coordinate test resources and schedules across multiple teams to maximize efficiency and ensure readiness of hardware, facilities, and personnel. Conduct readiness assessments at internal and supplier locations to confirm integration, documentation, hardware status, and test equipment preparation. Serve as a subject matter expert for environmental test requirements such as vibration, thermal cycling, ESS, mass properties, and functional performance verification. Establish and maintain robust processes for test configuration management, discrepancy documentation, test article tracking, and closure of corrective actions.
SECONDARY
Lead technical reviews for test documentation, discrepancies, engineering changes, and integration updates. Mentor junior engineers and technicians in test design, procedure development, data collection practices, and hardware integration techniques. Support quality audits, customer reviews, and compliance assessments by maintaining accurate and complete test records. Champion continuous improvement by contributing to Lessons Learned initiatives and driving enhancements to test workflow efficiency, documentation quality, and integration practices.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
Provides technical leadership and day to day guidance to early career engineers and technicians. May oversee small integration or test teams during major test operations.
Experience and Skills:
EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
Required:
Extensive experience developing detailed test documentation, including test plans, procedures, readiness checklists, and post?test reports for complex defense, aerospace, electro?mechanical, or optical systems. Proven ability to lead system level integration and test activities involving electrical interfaces, mechanical structures, optical components, and embedded hardware/software. Strong competency in environmental test preparation and execution, including vibration, thermal cycling, thermal vac, or ESS. Demonstrated ability to manage and close discrepancy reports, integrate corrective actions, and maintain stringent configuration control. High mechanical aptitude and hands on proficiency with integration, checkout, and test equipment for missile class systems. Active DoD SECRET clearance.
Preferred:
Prior experience supporting government contract missile or guided weapon programs. Familiarity with hardware in the loop architectures, guidance electronics, optical test equipment, and precision environmental test instrumentation. Experience with supplier test readiness assessments, hardware acceptance processes, and multi discipline integration coordination. Knowledge of system reliability practices, environmental stress screening strategies, and test data interpretation for system performance validation.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline with 10+ years of relevant experience
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed in office, integration lab, and environmental test facility environments. Tasks may include extended standing/walking, use of hand tools and specialized test equipment, repetitive integration operations, reaching/stooping, occasional lifting, and compliance with PPE and safety protocols.
TRAVEL:
Up to 30%
Domestic 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 Kratos Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws. Disability Accessibility Accommodation If you require an accommodation to navigate or apply to our careers site, please send your request to or call 858-964-2916. Any inquires not related to requesting an accommodation will be discarded. Pay Transparency The company will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Job Applicant Privacy Notice For applicants in the EU and California residents, please review our privacy notice.
