Test Engineering Manager

$140,000 - $180,000 – San Diego, California – Onsite

This role is for an expanding Space Sector organisation who develop critical electronics and subsystems that power space and defence platforms. The mission is to deliver robust, dependable hardware that operates flawlessly under demanding conditions – from PCBAs and modules to box‑level systems. The test organisation ensures quality, reliability, and compliance across every product before deployment.

They are seeking a hands‑on Test Engineering Manager to lead their test engineering team and drive test strategy, execution, and automation.

• Lead, mentor, and manage a small but highly skilled team of test and automation engineers.
• Design, implement, and maintain comprehensive test strategies and procedures covering PCBA, subsystem, and full‑system integration.
• Develop, build and maintain test racks, test harnesses, and automated test equipment (ATE).
• Define and execute environmental, stress, reliability and functional testing to validate products against specification and mission requirements.
• Work closely with design, manufacturing, quality assurance, and program stakeholders to ensure test readiness, schedule alignment, and technical compliance.
• Drive continuous improvement – enhance test coverage, reduce cycle time, optimise workflows, and evolve test infrastructure.
• Oversee test lab operations, resource allocation, equipment calibration and maintenance.
• Provide clear reporting on test status, risk assessments, and quality metrics to senior leadership.

• Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Electrical / Electronic / Aerospace / Systems or equivalent engineering discipline.
• Several years’ experience in hardware test engineering or test automation – ideally including PCBA, subsystem and system‑level testing.
• Proven ability to build or work with test racks and automated test equipment (ATE), test harnesses, and test software/infrastructure.
• Familiarity with environmental stress testing, reliability testing, functional and integration test methodologies.
• Strong leadership, team management, and cross‑functional collaboration skills.
• Excellent problem‑solving, analytical thinking and communication skills, capable of interfacing with engineering, manufacturing, and programme management teams.
• Experience defining and driving test strategy, planning, execution, test automation, and continuous improvement.

• Background in aerospace, defence, space systems or high‑reliability electronics.
• Experience with test automation frameworks / software, configuration management, and cross‑disciplinary testing (electronics, RF, thermal, environmental).
• Hands‑on understanding of schematics, electronics, PCBA, and system integration.

If you’re passionate about turning cutting‑edge designs into space‑ready, reliable hardware—and enjoy leading a smart, dedicated team while staying hands‑on—this could be your next mission.