Senior Test Engineer

About the role

You will architect and own the end to end physical test strategy for advanced aerospace and defense programs from initial concept validation through formal compliance and qualification campaigns. You will design, build, and maintain robust test setups that exercise electrical systems, mechanical systems, and electromechanical assemblies under realistic operational and stress conditions. In this hands on engineering role you will lead the execution of demanding test campaigns, capture high fidelity instrumentation data, and drive disciplined failure analysis to uncover root causes and drive corrective actions. You will partner directly with design and systems engineering teams to refine requirements, improve test coverage, and elevate system reliability, performance, and readiness for mission critical applications. Your work will ensure that every hardware deliverable meets stringent technical standards, regulatory compliance, and customer expectations before it ever reaches the field. You will champion continuous improvement by analyzing test results, refining test procedures, and introducing better measurement techniques and tooling that reduce risk and accelerate development cycles. This position demands a disciplined problem solver who thrives on complex hardware, understands how systems fail in the real world, and can translate those insights into actionable test strategies. You will be a trusted technical leader who communicates clearly with both engineering and program teams to keep projects on schedule and within quality expectations.

Key facts

What you'll do

Plan and lead comprehensive physical test campaigns for aerospace and defense hardware including electrical, mechanical, and electromechanical systems.

Develop detailed test plans, procedures, and validation protocols that align with program requirements, standards, and regulatory compliance needs.

Specify, integrate, and validate instrumentation, data acquisition systems, sensors, and control equipment to capture high quality measurement data during testing.

Build, configure, and maintain complex test setups and fixtures that safely apply realistic loads, environmental conditions, and operational profiles to hardware prototypes and production articles.

Execute tests methodically, monitor results in real time, identify anomalies, and coordinate failure analysis investigations with engineering teams to drive corrective actions.

Analyze test data to assess performance, reliability, and compliance, and translate findings into clear reports, recommendations, and design feedback.

Collaborate closely with systems, mechanical, and electrical engineers to refine designs, improve test coverage, and resolve issues before critical milestones and flight hardware delivery.

Support qualification, acceptance, and compliance testing activities, ensuring thorough documentation and traceability from requirements through test results.

Drive continuous improvement by evaluating test methods, tools, and processes, and introducing enhancements that increase efficiency, repeatability, and confidence in hardware reliability.

Act as a technical test leader who mentors junior engineers, coordinates test schedules, manages resources, and communicates status to cross functional stakeholders.

Apply systems thinking to understand how components interact within the broader aerospace system, and validate that integrated hardware meets performance and safety objectives.

Leverage experience with real world hardware testing to anticipate risks, define mitigation strategies, and ensure test campaigns are robust, repeatable, and efficient.

Contribute to the development and maintenance of test standards, best practices, and knowledge base that strengthen the organization's capability across programs.

Support the execution of tests in controlled laboratory environments as well as in field or operational settings when required to validate performance under actual conditions.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, robotics, propulsion, defense, automotive, energy, or complex hardware related field.

You bring a minimum of eight years of hands on experience testing physical hardware in aerospace, defense, automotive, energy, or related mission critical industries.

You possess deep knowledge of electrical, mechanical, and electromechanical systems, including how designs behave under real world loads, environments, and failure modes.

You have a proven track record building and executing test plans, setting up instrumentation, capturing data, and performing rigorous failure analysis.

You are comfortable working with regulatory standards, compliance requirements, and quality processes that govern aerospace and defense hardware testing.

You demonstrate strong analytical skills, using data to draw valid conclusions, isolate root causes, and support objective decision making.

You communicate effectively in both written and verbal form, producing clear test reports and presenting technical findings to engineering teams and program stakeholders.

You are a self starter who thrives in fast paced, mission driven environments and can manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail and high standards.

Nice to have

Experience with advanced data acquisition systems, sensor suites, and automated test equipment is preferred.

Familiarity with modeling and simulation tools that support test planning and results correlation is a plus.

Background in formal test and evaluation processes, including reporting and compliance documentation, is valued.

Knowledge of industry standards and best practices for aerospace, defense, and hardware qualification testing is preferred.

Experience leading test campaigns in controlled laboratory environments or field settings is an advantage.

Practical notes

This is a full time position based in Tucson, AZ.

Travel may be required to support test campaigns, program meetings, or hardware verification activities as needed.

This role is eligible for security clearance sponsorship in accordance with program requirements.

Employment is contingent on successful completion of any required background checks and clearance processes.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship requirements beyond what Tiberius Aerospace is prepared to provide under current policy.