Principal Electrical Test Engineer

Leidos Holding$107K — $195K *
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related discipline
  • 8-12 years of relevant experience (6-10 years with Master's)
  • Strong understanding of analog/digital electronics, RF design, and embedded hardware
  • Experience developing verification and qualification procedures
  • Familiarity with automated test equipment and laboratory instrumentation
  • Ability to interpret technical documents such as schematics and layouts
  • Strong technical writing and communication skills

Responsibilities

  • Develop and execute electrical integration and test plans
  • Design and fabricate electrical/mechanical test fixtures and adapters
  • Implement electrical test architectures for defense systems
  • Create automated test solutions using LabVIEW, MATLAB, or Python
  • Troubleshoot and integrate electrical hardware
  • Perform verification testing with specialized lab instruments
  • Support environmental qualification testing in line with military standards

Benefits

  • Professional development opportunities
  • Mentorship programs
  • Collaboration with multidisciplinary engineering teams
  • Opportunity to work on advanced defense systems
  • Engagement with government and military stakeholders
Full Job Description

The Defense Systems Group has an immediate opening for a Principal Electrical Test Engineer to support the development, integration, verification, qualification, and production of advanced defense electronic systems for Department of Defense (DoD) and national security customers.

This position supports the electrical integration and test of complex military hardware including embedded electronics, RF and microwave systems, Software Defined Radios (SDRs), phased array antennas, electronic warfare systems, secure communications equipment, and mission-critical C4ISR platforms. The successful candidate will develop and execute comprehensive test strategies that ensure products meet stringent military performance, reliability, environmental, and interoperability requirements.

Working as part of a multidisciplinary engineering team, the Senior Electrical Test Engineer will lead electrical integration activities from prototype development through qualification and production while interfacing directly with systems engineering, hardware design, software development, manufacturing, quality, and government customers.

Key Responsibilities

  • Develop and execute electrical integration, verification, validation, qualification, and production acceptance test plans and procedures.
  • Design, develop, and fabricate electrical and mechanical test fixtures, interface adapters, harnesses, and breakout boxes to support engineering development, subsystem integration, environmental qualification, and production acceptance testing. Coordinate fixture requirements with hardware design, manufacturing, and quality engineering to ensure repeatable and reliable test execution.
  • Design and implement electrical test architectures for complex defense electronic systems.
  • Develop automated test solutions using LabVIEW, TestStand, MATLAB, Python, or equivalent software tools.
  • Integrate and troubleshoot electrical hardware at the board, subsystem, LRU, and system levels.
  • Perform verification testing using engineering laboratory instrumentation including:
    • Oscilloscopes, Spectrum Analyzers, Vector Network Analyzers, Signal Generators Logic Analyzers, Power Supplies, Electronic Loads.
  • Support system integration activities for military communication systems, RF subsystems, embedded processors, and digital electronics.
  • Analyze electrical performance, identify root cause of failures, and recommend corrective actions.
  • Support environmental qualification testing in accordance with military standards.
  • Perform EMI/EMC pre-compliance and qualification testing.
  • Support Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) and system integration laboratories.
  • Develop automated data acquisition, analysis, and reporting tools.
  • Prepare technical documentation supporting customer design reviews and qualification programs.
  • Support Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), System Acceptance Testing (SAT), and customer witness testing.
  • Interface directly with U.S. Government customers, prime contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers.
  • Mentor junior engineers and technicians while providing technical leadership during integration and test activities.

Clearance Qualifications

  • U.S. Citizenship required.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Security Clearance.
  • Willingness to work in classified laboratory environments and support secure development, integration, and test activities.
  • Ability to comply with all program-specific security requirements, including handling of classified materials and controlled technical data (ITAR/EAR).

Basic Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related engineering discipline.
  • 8–12 years of relevant experience or 6–10 years with a Master's degree.
  • U.S. Citizenship.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Security Clearance (active clearance preferred).
  • Strong understanding of:
    • Analog and digital electronics, RF design, Embedded hardware, Power distribution, Electrical system integration, High-speed digital interfaces.
  • Experience developing electrical verification and qualification procedures.
  • Experience troubleshooting complex military electronic systems.
  • Experience using automated test equipment and laboratory instrumentation.
  • Ability to interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, PCB layouts, and interface control documents (ICDs).
  • Strong technical writing and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Active Secret Security Clearance.
  • Experience performing RF and microwave testing using Vector Network Analyzers (VNAs), Spectrum Analyzers, Signal Generators, Power Meters, Noise Figure Analyzers, and Oscilloscopes.
  • Experience conducting antenna range testing, including near-field and far-field measurements, antenna pattern characterization, gain, EIRP, sidelobe analysis, polarization, beam steering verification, and antenna calibration.
  • Experience operating commercial antenna measurement systems such as NSI-MI, Orbit/FR, or MVG antenna ranges.
  • Experience supporting integration and testing of phased array antenna systems, Software Defined Radios (SDRs), radar, or electronic warfare (EW) systems.
  • Familiarity with RF calibration techniques, uncertainty analysis, and military antenna test methodologies.

Original Posting:
July 20, 2026

For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range:
Pay Range $107,900.00 - $195,050.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

About Leidos Holding

Leidos Holding Careers

Joining Leidos Holding presents an unparalleled opportunity to advance one's career with a leader in innovation and technology. The company offers a plethora of job opportunities aimed at fostering professional growth and development in a diverse and inclusive environment.

Explore Career Opportunities

Leidos Holding is actively seeking skilled professionals who are passionate about leveraging their expertise to drive innovation and leadership in their fields. With a variety of open positions, Leidos Holding provides a platform for individuals to challenge themselves in a dynamic work environment.

Innovation and Professional Growth

At Leidos Holding, innovation is at the core of everything they do. Employees are encouraged to think creatively and push boundaries. The company supports this drive for innovation through comprehensive professional development and diversity training programs that are designed to enhance skills and foster leadership.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Leidos Holding is committed to creating a workplace where diversity is not only recognized but celebrated. With a culture that values and promotes diversity, Leidos Holding ensures that all team members have the opportunity to contribute, learn, and grow.

Internship Programs

For those starting their career, Leidos Holding offers internship programs that provide a robust foundation in the industry. Internships are a great way to develop essential skills, gain valuable work experience, and build professional networks.

Benefits and Culture

Employees at Leidos Holding enjoy a range of benefits designed to support their professional and personal lives. The company culture is built on a foundation of respect and integrity, providing a supportive and collaborative environment where every team member is valued.

Join the Team

Leidos Holding is hiring! Explore job opportunities that match your skills and interests. Leidos Holding looks for driven, curious, and innovative individuals to join their team. Positions are available across various disciplines and experience levels.

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Networking and Career Advancement

Leidos Holding encourages its employees to engage in networking within the company to discover new opportunities for career advancement. The leadership team at Leidos Holding is dedicated to supporting employees in their career paths with ample opportunities for networking and growth.

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