Job Description Summary

The Lead Test Systems Design Engineer – Avionics will own the design and delivery of automated production test systems for complex electronic aerospace products. This role combines technical leadership, hands-on development, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure safe, high-quality, and cost-effective test solutions that support manufacturing and new product introduction. This includes developing test software for full automation, managing requirements, and integrating hardware and software into complete systems.

Location: Grand Rapids, MI

This position, which offers a blend of onsite and hybrid work arrangements, is based in Grand Rapids and necessitates a presence in the office for 2-3 days each week. An extensive corporate relocation package is also available for eligible candidates.

Job Description

Essential Responsibilities :

• Lead the design and development of production test equipment for complex electronic aerospace products, from concept through deployment. 

• Architect and implement system-level automated test solutions, including hardware, software, and data flows, to achieve high test coverage and throughput. 

• Own the full test system lifecycle: planning, requirements, architecture, hardware/software design, integration, verification, release, and sustainment. 

• Influence overall test strategy and coverage, including test data analytics, design-for-test (DFT) input, and board-level test strategies in manufacturing. 

• Develop and maintain test software using National Instruments TestStand, C/C++/C# in Microsoft Visual Studio, and C in LabWindows/CVI (or equivalent tools). 

• Provide hands-on technical support to manufacturing, including debug of test systems, test failures, and equipment issues. 

• Create and maintain test design documentation, including requirements, test specifications, schematics/drawings, procedures, test software documentation, verification procedures, and reports. 

• Collaborate closely with R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, and Product Engineering to align test solutions with product requirements, safety, and quality standards. 

• Contribute to and lead elements of new product introduction (NPI), process improvement, and lean/continuous improvement initiatives within test engineering and manufacturing. 

• Mentor and coach other test engineers in tools, architecture, design practices, and development processes; provide technical direction within project teams. 

• Communicate status, risks, and mitigation plans clearly and proactively to project and functional leadership. 

• Prepare and deliver technical material for customer and internal design/test reviews and presentations. 

• Plan and manage own work and assigned resources to meet schedule, cost, quality, and compliance objectives. 

• Participate in and sometimes lead cross-functional teams to address organizational initiatives and drive improvements in test capability, productivity, and quality. 

 

Required Qualifications :

• BS degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent. 

• Minimum 5 years of experience designing automated test systems for complex electronic products or electrical systems in a production or high-reliability environment. 

• Knowledge and experience in software development using C, C++, C#. 

• Circuit design capability for test equipment, including signal conditioning, signal conversion, stimulus generation, filtering, and cable/harness design. 

• Demonstrated ability to analyze and resolve complex technical problems, including hardware, software, and system-level issues.