Principal Test Engineer - Millennium Space Systems

Job Description

As a Principal Test Engineer at Millennium Space Systems, a part of Boeing Defense, Space and Security, you will develop manufacturing processes to test satellite avionics and implement test procedures for dynamic and thermal environmental testing of components, subsystems, and satellite products. You will guide the investigation of complex test anomalies, leverage design for testability, and drive continuous improvement to deliver space‑grade avionics at a high rate and low cost while ensuring personnel safety and product reliability.

Our missions have a direct impact on global security, such as missile warning and Earth observation. The team values curiosity, boldness, and innovation, constantly exploring new techniques and technologies and challenging the status quo.

• Architect spacecraft hardware test procedures and test readiness frameworks; serve as the senior escalation point for complex issues that arise during qualification and acceptance test campaigns.
• Lead cross‑functional initiatives to identify systemic improvement opportunities that enhance safety, product quality, cycle time, and labor efficiency across environmental test operations.
• Serve as the organization’s senior technical authority for root‑cause analysis of environmental test anomalies, driving systemic corrective actions and preventative measures across programs.
• Champion production autonomy by challenging requirements at the organizational level, driving process simplification across product lines, and sponsoring automation initiatives that reduce human error and manual intervention.
• Serve as the principal subject‑matter expert and technical authority for environmental test processes and equipment, representing the organization in design reviews, customer engagements, and industry forums.
• Influence product design teams to incorporate design‑for‑test principles early in the development lifecycle, reducing downstream test complexity and cost.

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline.
• Minimum of 10 years in a hardware test environment.
• Demonstrated experience leading, mentoring, or technically guiding teams of engineers.
• Extensive hands‑on experience with thermal chambers, TVAC chambers, and/or vibration shakers.
• Proven track record of authoring test procedures, driving process improvements, and managing non‑conformances at scale.
• Strong technical writing, verbal communication, and cross‑functional stakeholder management skills.
• Capability to obtain a U.S. Security Clearance (U.S. citizenship required); interim and/or final clearance post‑start is required.

• Master’s degree in an engineering discipline.
• Minimum of 12 years of experience in environmental testing, with deep expertise in vibration, thermal ambient, and thermal vacuum testing.
• Expert‑level knowledge of standards such as SMC‑S‑016, MIL‑STD‑1540, GSFC‑STD‑7000A, or similar, with the ability to interpret, tailor, and negotiate requirements with customers.
• Proven experience scaling environmental test operations from development to full‑rate production in a high‑throughput manufacturing environment.
• Expert‑level understanding of root‑cause analysis methodologies (Five Whys, Fishbone/Ishikawa Analysis, 8D, FMEA, etc.).

Successful candidates must satisfy the Company’s Conflict of Interest (COI) assessment process.

Millennium Space Systems, a Boeing Company, is a Drug‑Free Workplace where post‑offer applicants and employees are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria are met under company policy.

Millennium Space Systems offers a competitive total rewards package that includes base pay, variable compensation, health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance, and paid and unpaid time‑off programs. Pay is based on candidate experience, qualifications, market, and business considerations.

• Level 5: $137,000 – $244,000
• Level 6: $167,000 – $298,000