Systems Test Engineer

Job Title:

Systems Test Engineer Job Category:
Engineering Time Type:
Full time Minimum Clearance Required to Start:
None Employee Type:
Regular Percentage of

Travel Required:

None Type of Travel:
None*
*
* The Opportunity:

The Systems Test Engineer will lead the integration, verification, and validation of free‑space optical communication systems across IRAD, DVT, qualification, and production programs. They will take ownership of system‑level test strategies and the automated test infrastructure, overseeing all execution from initial prototype bring‑up through final release into production. In this role, the engineer will apply expert hands‑on experience with optical bench opto‑mechanics, electro‑optical integration, and communications performance testing to ensure that each system meets its technical and performance requirements.

They will plan and carry out environmental testing activities, including thermal‑vacuum testing and vibration testing. Additionally, the Systems Test Engineer will serve as a senior technical resource for cross‑functional teams, collaborating closely with systems, optics, electrical, mechanical, software, manufacturing, and quality engineering groups.

Responsibilities:

Lead hardware, software, and optomechanical integration of FSO communication systems.

Develop and execute system-level verification plans, DVT procedures, qualification plans, and production test methods.

Create Python-based automation for instrument control, data acquisition, test sequencing, analysis, and reporting.

Perform hands-on optical bench integration, alignment, adjustment, calibration, beam routing, and troubleshooting.

Conduct FSO performance testing, including link margin, received power, acquisition, pointing and tracking, throughput, and bit-error rate.

Plan and execute TVAC and vibration testing, including test readiness, instrumentation, functional checks, execution, and post-test analysis.

Lead system bring-up, failure investigation, root-cause analysis, and corrective-action verification.

Develop test fixtures, harnesses, instrumentation configurations, and automated test procedures.

Generate and maintain test plans, procedures, requirements traceability, reports, and anomaly documentation.

Transition validated DVT and qualification methods into production while improving test coverage, yield, and test time.

Support IRAD efforts by developing new test methods and evaluating emerging FSO technologies.

Mentor engineers and technicians in systems test, Python automation, optical bench practices, and environmental testing.

Qualifications:

Required:

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Physics, or a related field, or equivalent experience.

Ten or more years of experience in systems integration, electro-optical test, communications test, aerospace hardware test, or a related discipline.

Expert-level Python skills, including automated test frameworks, instrument control, data acquisition, analysis, and reporting.

Strong knowledge of free-space optical communications, including link budgets, acquisition, pointing and tracking, photodetection, modulation, and BER.Expert hands-on experience integrating, aligning, adjusting, and troubleshooting optical bench opto-mechanics.

Demonstrated experience developing and executing system-level test plans for DVT, qualification, acceptance, and production.

Experience planning and executing thermal-vacuum and vibration testing for electro-optical or aerospace systems.

Experience with optical, electrical, mechanical, communications, and environmental test equipment.

Strong troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, technical documentation, and cross-functional communication skills.

Desired:

Experience with FSO systems for…