Test Engineer
Location: Hagerstown, MD
Payrate: $54.19/HR
Shift: 1st; Monday-Friday
PDS Tech Commercial is seeking an experienced Test Engineer III to join our team remotely, supporting a leader in the aerospace industry. In this high-impact role, you'll lead the planning, execution, and analysis of critical ground and flight testing activities that ensure advanced aircraft systems perform safely, reliably, and as designed. Your expertise will directly contribute to the development and validation of cutting-edge aerospace technologies that shape the future of aviation.
As a Test Engineer III, you'll serve as a technical leader throughout the test lifecycle, partnering with cross-functional teams to deliver successful integration and flight test programs.
Planning & Documentation
Develop and maintain flight test plans, procedures, and reports in accordance with customer and program requirements.
Support program-level test planning, including schedules, test strategies, risk assessments, and resource coordination.
Ensure complete requirements traceability, verification, and documentation throughout the testing process.
Hands-On Testing
Execute developmental, qualification, integration, and flight test activities for aircraft mission systems and avionics.
Operate sophisticated RF and electronic test equipment, including spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, multimeters, data acquisition systems, transducers, and accelerometers.
Collect, analyze, and validate test data to verify system performance.
Integration & Troubleshooting
Support aircraft integration, subsystem checkout, and root-cause investigation of test anomalies.
Read and interpret electrical schematics, service manuals, and technical documentation to troubleshoot complex systems.
Participate in Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs), Safety Review Boards, and post-test data analysis activities.
Collaboration & Leadership
Partner with systems engineering, avionics, software, and program management teams to ensure technical, schedule, and cost objectives are achieved.
Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior test engineers.
Champion best practices in testing, quality assurance, and continuous improvement.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field.
6+ years of aerospace or defense test engineering experience.
FAA Class III Medical Certificate with the ability to complete Altitude Chamber training.
Experience developing and executing ground and flight test plans and procedures.
Hands-on experience with RF and electronic test equipment, including spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, multimeters, data acquisition units, transducers, and accelerometers.
Strong knowledge of aircraft avionics systems, architectures, and systems integration.
Ability to interpret electrical schematics, service manuals, and troubleshoot complex technical issues.
Experience with requirements management, including derivation, traceability, verification, and validation.
Excellent technical writing, communication, and documentation skills.
This position requires an Active TS Security Clearance with SCI Eligibility
Preferred Qualifications
Experience supporting Department of Defense (DoD) programs, ISR platforms, or missionized aircraft.
Familiarity with aerospace and military standards, including DO-160, MIL-STD-810, and MIL-STD-461.
Experience supporting FAA and/or military certification efforts.
Knowledge of requirements management tools such as DOORS or Jama.
Previous experience leading test or Integration Product Team (IPT) activities.
Background in Product and Quality Assurance, including management of product non-conformances.
Experience with both manual and automated testing methodologies.
If you're an experienced Test Engineer III with a passion for solving complex technical challenges and advancing aerospace innovation, we want to hear from you.
Apply today with PDS Tech Commercial and help shape the next generation of aerospace technology while building an exceptional career!
Massachusetts Candidates Only: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
