Senior Test Engineer

Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA), Southwest Division (SWD) is looking for a Senior Test Engineer with significant experience in leading developmental and operational test (DT/OT) qualification efforts. In this role, you will lead and coordinate test activities for assigned projects, collaborating closely with cross-functional engineering teams to define test requirements, create test procedures and reports, develop specifications, coordinate test planning activities, and execute test events.

The ideal candidate is a self-driven test engineering professional with a passion for hands-on testing and field validation. You should be comfortable leading test planning meetings, writing detailed test plans, procedures, and reports while managing test-day operations, and guiding post-test data collection and analysis. Strong communication skills are essential, as you will be expected to produce formal test reports and present findings to customers, internal stakeholders, and government sponsors. You should possess the ability to manage complex test events independently, integrate feedback into test strategies, and support the full test lifecycle from concept through final reporting.

Due to the nature of work performed candidates must be U.S. citizens eligible for a Department of Defense Secret, or higher, level security clearance.

Salary Range: $80,000 - $120,000 (Dependent on Experience)

Responsibilities included but not limited to:

• Generate, author and maintain the review, test concept development, test methodology development, test plan development, test execution, and test reporting, data reduction and analysis, and end-user operational testing.
• Plan and execute mechanical, structural, and environmental tests on DOD components, hardware and full AUR systems (including but not limited to vibration, shock, thermal, flight, sled and fatigue tests)
• Provide expertise and technical completion for MIL-STDs and test procedures for DOD AUR configurations.  
• Analyze test results to identify design weaknesses, material limitations, or integration issues
• Operate basic electronic test equipment such as oscilloscopes, digital multi-meters, signal generators, etc.
• Operate specialized support and handling equipment for system level testing and troubleshooting.
• Support assigned project meetings, reviews and technical interchanges, as required.
• Lead test planning working groups, test readiness reviews and test modeling reviews.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s (or equivalent) degree in Engineering and 8-10 years of relevant experience, or a Master’s with 6-8 years of experience.
• Strong analytic, written, and oral communication skills.
• Works well in a team environment compromised by other technicians, engineers and scientists.
• Strong understanding of structural mechanics, materials, failure modes, and environmental testing standards (e.g., MIL-STD-810)
• Proven ability to manage testing operations and laboratory equipment with a focus on ensuring strict safety protocols and regulatory compliance.
• Ability to review documentation such as technical data packages, standard operating procedures, quality production documents, and other process documentation of significant complexity.
• Physically fit to execute testing in laboratories, hangars, on-ground or in -flight in accordance with approved test plans and test procedures to test, verify, validate, or demonstrate functionality of components, sub-systems, systems, and vehicles.  
• Must be a United States citizen eligible to receive and maintain a Secret or higher Department of Defense Security Clearance.

Desired Attributes:

• Experience with data processing tools such as Python or MATLAB
• Experience with DoD Systems Safety Boards
• Experience with DoD Air Worthiness Offices and Processes
• Experience supporting field testing at government ranges or proving grounds
• Expert on testing marine or defense systems
• Previous involvement in DoD test campaigns, test readiness reviews, or technical reporting

Company Information:

Applied Research Associates, Inc. is an employee-owned international research and engineering company recognized for providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences. The company, founded in Albuquerque, NM in 1979, currently employs over 2,300+ professionals and continues to grow. ARA offices throughout the U.S. and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense, civil, and health technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement.

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