Manager Test Engineering & Metrology

Chandler, AZ, United States Test Engineering & Metrology Manager Energetic Components New Product Development — Aerospace & Defense Department New  Product Development / Energetics Engineering Reports ToNPD Director of Engineering Direct Reports Test Engineers, Senior Test Technicians, Test TechniciansFLSA Status Exempt Clearance Must  be a U.S. Citizen under ITAR/EAR requirements; ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance

Travel

Approximately 10%, including domestic test ranges and supplier/customer sites

Position Summary The Test Engineering & Metrology Manager is a hands-on technical leader responsible for building, leading, and maturing the test engineering and metrology function that supports new product development (NPD) of energetic components—including initiators, igniters, propellants, pyrotechnic actuators, and related energetic subassemblies—for aerospace and defense customers. This role owns the full test lifecycle, including development testing, design verification and product validation (DV/PV), environmental and safety testing, first article testing, production acceptance testing, test data integrity, and final reporting.

The manager leads engineers and technicians while remaining technically engaged, ensuring testing is completed safely, accurately, and on schedule in a fast-moving environment with changing customer and program priorities.

Key Responsibilities Lead, coach, and develop a mixed team of test engineers and test technicians, including hiring, performance management, technical mentoring, career development, and hands-on support when needed.

Own the NPD test strategy, priorities, and execution plan; develop test plans, procedures, qualification matrices, and schedules that trace to system requirements, customer specifications (MIL-STD, AOP, STANAG), and contractual DV/PV requirements.

Direct and, when necessary, participate in development, qualification, first article, production acceptance, and lot acceptance testing for energetic components, including environmental (temperature/humidity, vibration, shock), safety (drop, friction, ESD, thermal stability), ballistic, electrical, and performance testing.

Ensure all test operations comply with explosive safety siting, DoD explosives safety standards, OSHA process safety management, site-specific hazard classifications, quantity-distance limits, security requirements, and approved operating procedures.

Partner with Design Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Program Management, and other shared-resource organizations to translate test results into design dispositions, root-cause and corrective actions (RCCA/8D), and design maturation decisions ahead of formal design reviews.

Manage test facility, fixture, and equipment readiness, including test bay scheduling, calibration and metrology controls, capital planning, test-space expansion, and recommendations for new or upgraded test capability.

Own test data integrity and reporting, including statistical analysis of results, qualification test reports, test procedures, first article inspection data packages, and documentation suitable for customer, DCMA, and government review.

Represent Test Engineering in program reviews, technical interchange meetings, and issue-resolution discussions; communicate technical findings clearly to engineering teams, management, customers, and government stakeholders as needed.

Maintain compliance with ITAR/EAR export control requirements for all test data, technical exchanges, and visitor access to test facilities.

Drive continuous improvement in test throughput, prioritization, fixture standardization, metrology controls, test automation, data acquisition, and reporting. Apply Lean, Six Sigma, statistical methods, RCCA, and 8D tools to reduce cycle time and prevent recurrence.

Help shape the future organization and operating model for NPD testing, including resource planning, process development, capacity expansion, shared-equipment coordination, and evaluation of emerging tools such as AI-enabled test procedure and report generation.

Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, Chemical Engineering, or…