Principal Test Engineer; IV

Position: Principal Test Engineer (IV)
Location: De Leon Springs

Sparton is an innovative defense contractor headquartered in DeLeon Springs, Florida, with a rich heritage dating back to 1900. Renowned for our exceptional manufacturing capabilities, we specialize in producing high-quality sonobuoys critical to the United States' undersea warfare arsenal, enhancing national security against current and future adversaries. But we are more than manufacturers; we are problem solvers. Our team of dedicated engineers and skilled professionals tackles some of the most challenging issues in defense technology.

Our expertise includes advanced research systems, maritime solutions, sophisticated sensor technologies and payload delivery capabilities.

Job Summary

Join a high-impact engineering team developing advanced automated test systems that support mission-critical defense products. As a Principal Test Engineer, you will architect, design, and lead the development of sophisticated software-controlled hardware test solutions used to validate some of the industry's most complex technologies.

This role offers the opportunity to own test system architecture from concept through deployment, influence technical strategy, and shape best practices across the organization.
You will work at the intersection of hardware, software, and systems engineering-leading ATE development, defining test requirements, creating robust test automation, and ensuring product readiness for deployment in demanding DoD environments. If you are an experienced engineer seeking a technically challenging role with real-world mission impact, the freedom to innovate, and the ability to mentor and elevate a growing test engineering team, we want to meet you.

Responsibilities and Tasks

• Identify internal and external customer test requirements and specifications. Develop product test plans, scenarios, scripts, and procedures to optimize output, usability, manufacturability, and product flow.
• Create a Statement of Work.
• Formulate test plans to functionally test and or calibrate the product to meet requirements.
• Create list of COTS equipment and materials needed for test system.
• Create Electrical Schematics for I/F Panels and cables.
• Provide conceptual mechanical ideas for test fixtures.
• Write Coding S/W in NI Lab-Windows CVI, C# (preferred)
• Write TP, ATP, IQ, OQ, PQ, TMV documents.
• Provide technical support to the manufacturing test support group.
• Lead the identification and interpretation of internal and external customer test requirements and specifications for complex product lines, ensuring alignment with business and regulatory standards.
• Architect and develop comprehensive product test strategies, including test plans, scenarios, scripts, and procedures, to optimize product performance, usability, manufacturability, and production flow.
• Author and review Statements of Work (SOW) for test system development and implementation projects.
• Design and validate advanced functional and calibration test plans to ensure products meet or exceed all defined requirements and industry standards.
• Specify and approve lists of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) equipment and materials necessary for test system development and deployment.
• Develop and review detailed electrical schematics for interface panels and cables, ensuring robust and reliable test setups.
• Generate conceptual mechanical solutions and collaborate with design teams to create effective test fixtures.
• Design, implement, and maintain complex test automation and data acquisition software using NI Lab Windows/CVI, ensuring scalability and maintainability.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive test documentation, including Test Procedures (TP), Acceptance Test Procedures (ATP), Installation Qualification (IQ), Operational Qualification (OQ), Performance Qualification (PQ), and Test Method Validation (TMV) documents.
• Serve as a technical resource and provide expert-level support to the manufacturing test support group, troubleshooting complex test and system issues.
• Mentor and guide junior engineers, fostering technical excellence, knowledge sharing, and process improvement within the team.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives and contribute to the development of best practices, standards, and technical innovation in test engineering.

Education, Experience, Licenses and Certifications

• 4-year degree from an accredited university in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science or Computer Engineering or related field OR a combination of education and relevant experience.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in designing automated test equipment systems in an electrical testing environment within a contract manufacturing or OEM environment.
• Experience developing test software applications using NI Lab Windows CVI in a windows environment.

Skills and Abilities

• US Citizenship is required
• Must be able to obtain and maintain U.S. security clearance.
• Must have knowledge of data acquisition concepts and instrument control including complex test, measurement, calibration algorithm development, definition, and…