Sierra Nevada Corporation

Sr Test Engineer

Sierra Nevada Corporation$113K — $155K *
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's of Science in Engineering or related field
  • 10+ years of experience in test engineering or related role
  • FAA Class III Medical Certificate
  • Expert understanding of test and evaluation principles
  • Thorough understanding of engineering principles and practices
  • Strong knowledge of aircraft avionics systems and architectures
  • Active United States Top Secret Security clearance with SCI eligibility required

Responsibilities

  • Develop and maintain comprehensive test artifacts including flight test plans and procedures
  • Pilot program-level test strategy development and resource alignment
  • Execute qualification and flight tests for mission systems and sensors
  • Operate and configure RF and electronic test equipment
  • Lead aircraft system integration and end-to-end verification
  • Conduct test anomaly investigations and implement corrective actions
  • Coordinate with various teams to ensure alignment with project objectives

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision plans
  • 401(k) with 150% match up to 6%
  • Life insurance
  • 3 weeks paid time off
  • Tuition reimbursement
Full Job Description
Do you have an eye for detail and enjoy working with amazing products and tools? Join us in championing and protecting explorers and heroes! As a Senior Test Engineer, you will be responsible for leading the most complex and critical testing projects within the organization. You will develop sophisticated test plans, mentor junior engineers, and ensure the highest level of product performance and compliance with industry standards.

Our testing approach evolves with the design maturity, extending from initial stages through to post-production follow-ups on subsequent articles.

The role involves extensive system testing, aimed at assessing a broad spectrum of mission equipment such as communication, computing, navigation, and surveillance systems, to ensure they meet design and functionality standards.

Please note, this role does not require any knowledge or skills related to software or automation testing.

The Mission Solutions and Technologies (MST) business area provides affordable, turn-key command/control, communications, integrated ISR, force protection and security solutions worldwide. The MST team has a long legacy of supporting the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, commercial and international customers with years of experience in platform operations, engineering and full lifecycle management across domains - air, land, sea, space and cyber.

Responsibilities:
Planning & Documentation
  • Develop, review, and maintain comprehensive test artifacts, including flight test plans, test procedures, and test reports, in accordance with program, regulatory, and customer requirements
  • Pilot program-level test strategy development, including schedule planning, risk identification, configuration management coordination, and resource alignment.
Hands-On Testing
  • Execute developmental, qualification, and flight test activities for mission systems, sensors, and avionics across SIL, ground, and aircraft test environments.
  • Operate and configure RF and electronic test equipment, including spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, multimeters, data acquisition systems, transducers, and accelerometers.
Integration & Troubleshooting
  • Lead aircraft system integration efforts, subsystem functional checkout, and end-to-end system verification.
  • Lead test anomaly investigations, root-cause analysis, and corrective action coordination.
  • Champion in Test Readiness Reviews (TRR), Safety Review Boards, Flight Readiness Reviews (FRR), and post-test data analysis activities.
Collaboration & Leadership
  • Coordinate with systems engineering, avionics, software, program management, and quality teams to ensure test activities align with technical, cost, and schedule objectives.
  • Provide technical guidance, mentorship, and leadership to junior test engineers and support personnel.


Qualifications You Must Have:
  • Bachelor's of Science in Engineering or related field.
  • 10+ years of experience in test engineering or a related role.
  • Higher level relevant degree may substitute for experience.
  • FAA Class III Medical Certificate, with the ability to complete Altitude Chamber training.
  • Expert understanding of test and evaluation principles and methodologies.
  • Thorough understanding of engineering principles and practices.
  • Experience leading multi-disciplinary design and development teams.
  • Advanced proficiency with RF and electronic test equipment, including spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, multimeters, data acquisition units, transducers, and accelerometers.
  • Strong knowledge of aircraft avionics systems and architectures, including integration of mission systems, communication, navigation, surveillance, and related subsystems.
  • Ability to interpret engineering schematics and technical data, troubleshoot complex systems, and apply structured diagnostic methods.
  • Experience developing, executing, and documenting ground and flight test plans and procedures, from planning through requirements-based verification and selloff.
  • Demonstrated capability in requirements management, including derivation, allocation, traceability, verification, and compliance documentation.
  • Excellent technical communication and documentation skills, with the ability to produce clear test artifacts, reports, and engineering correspondence
  • Active United States Top Secret Security clearance with SCI eligibility required.


Qualifications We Prefer:
  • Experience supporting DoD programs, ISR platforms, and other missionized aircraft efforts.
  • Strong familiarity with MIL-STD and aerospace environmental and electromagnetic standards, including DO-160, MIL-STD-810, and MIL-STD-461.
  • Hands-on experience supporting FAA and/or military airworthiness certification activities.
  • Proficiency with requirements management tools, such as DOORS or Jama, for requirement traceability and verification.
  • Proven experience serving in a lead test engineering or integration IPT role, including coordination across multidisciplinary engineering teams.
  • Working knowledge of Product and Quality Assurance principles, including the creation, analysis, and disposition of non-conformance reports.
  • Broad experience with test equipment, standards, and methodologies, including both manual and automated test execution.


Essential Functions:
  • Ability to work on a computer for extended periods.
  • Ability to lift up to 25 lbs regularly.
  • Occasional travel may be required.
  • Ability to work in an office, lab, hangar, or offsite environment.


This posting will be open for application for a minimum of 5 days and may be extended based on business needs.

Estimated Starting Salary Range: $113,428.57 - $155,964.28. Compensation varies depending on a wide array of factors, such as candidates' key skills, relevant work experience, and education/training/certifications. The disclosed range estimate may be adjusted for any applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled.

SNC offers annual incentive pay based upon performance that is commensurate with the level of the position.

SNC offers a generous benefit package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with 150% match up to 6%, life insurance, 3 weeks paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and more.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:
This position requires current/active Top Secret with SCI eligibility U.S. Security Clearance. U.S. Citizenship status is required as this position needs an active U.S. Security Clearance for employment. Non-U.S. Citizens may not be eligible to obtain a security clearance. The Department of Defense Consolidated Adjudications Facility (DoD CAF), a federal government agency, handles the adjudicative aspects of the security clearance eligibility process for industry applicants. Adjudicative factors which affect the outcome of the eligibility determination include, but are not limited to, allegiance to the U.S., foreign influence, foreign preference, criminal conduct, security violations and illegal drug use.
Learn more about the background check process for Security Clearances.

About Sierra Nevada Corporation

Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) is an American privately held electronic systems provider and systems integrator specializing in microsatellites, telemedicine, and commercial orbital transportation services. The company was founded in 1963 and is headquartered in Sparks, Nevada. SNC has a workforce of over 4,000 employees and operates in 33 locations in 19 U.S. states, United Kingdom, Germany, Turkey, and Australia. The company's products and services include spacecraft, aircraft, electronics, and cyber security. SNC is committed to providing innovative solutions that help customers achieve their goals.
Learn more about Sierra Nevada Corporation
Size
4,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1980

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