Test Engineering & Metrology Manager
Energetic Components New Product Development - Aerospace & Defense
DepartmentNew Product Development / Energetics Engineering
Reports ToNPD Director of Engineering
Direct ReportsTest Engineers, Senior Test Technicians, Test Technicians
FLSA StatusExempt
ClearanceTravelApproximately 10%, including domestic test ranges and supplier/customer sites
Position SummaryThe Test Engineering & Metrology Manager is a hands-on technical leader responsible for building, leading, and maturing the test engineering and metrology function that supports new product development (NPD) of energetic components-including initiators, igniters, propellants, pyrotechnic actuators, and related energetic subassemblies-for aerospace and defense customers. This role owns the full test lifecycle, including development testing, design verification and product validation (DV/PV), environmental and safety testing, first article testing, production acceptance testing, test data integrity, and final reporting. The manager leads engineers and technicians while remaining technically engaged, ensuring testing is completed safely, accurately, and on schedule in a fast-moving environment with changing customer and program priorities.
Key Responsibilities- Lead, coach, and develop a mixed team of test engineers and test technicians, including hiring, performance management, technical mentoring, career development, and hands-on support when needed.
- Own the NPD test strategy, priorities, and execution plan; develop test plans, procedures, qualification matrices, and schedules that trace to system requirements, customer specifications (MIL-STD, AOP, STANAG), and contractual DV/PV requirements.
- Direct and, when necessary, participate in development, qualification, first article, production acceptance, and lot acceptance testing for energetic components, including environmental (temperature/humidity, vibration, shock), safety (drop, friction, ESD, thermal stability), ballistic, electrical, and performance testing.
- Ensure all test operations comply with explosive safety siting, DoD explosives safety standards, OSHA process safety management, site-specific hazard classifications, quantity-distance limits, security requirements, and approved operating procedures.
- Partner with Design Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Program Management, and other shared-resource organizations to translate test results into design dispositions, root-cause and corrective actions (RCCA/8D), and design maturation decisions ahead of formal design reviews.
- Manage test facility, fixture, and equipment readiness, including test bay scheduling, calibration and metrology controls, capital planning, test-space expansion, and recommendations for new or upgraded test capability.
- Own test data integrity and reporting, including statistical analysis of results, qualification test reports, test procedures, first article inspection data packages, and documentation suitable for customer, DCMA, and government review.
- Represent Test Engineering in program reviews, technical interchange meetings, and issue-resolution discussions; communicate technical findings clearly to engineering teams, management, customers, and government stakeholders as needed.
- Maintain compliance with ITAR/EAR export control requirements for all test data, technical exchanges, and visitor access to test facilities.
- Drive continuous improvement in test throughput, prioritization, fixture standardization, metrology controls, test automation, data acquisition, and reporting. Apply Lean, Six Sigma, statistical methods, RCCA, and 8D tools to reduce cycle time and prevent recurrence.
- Help shape the future organization and operating model for NPD testing, including resource planning, process development, capacity expansion, shared-equipment coordination, and evaluation of emerging tools such as AI-enabled test procedure and report generation.
Required Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related technical discipline. The bachelor's degree is required and may not be replaced by experience alone.
- 8+ years of progressively responsible test engineering experience within energetics, ordnance, propulsion, aerospace, defense, or another highly regulated hardware development environment, including at least 3 years in a supervisory or team-lead capacity.
- Demonstrated experience developing and executing qualification test programs against military, aerospace, or equivalent highly regulated specifications, such as MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-331, AOP-series, MIL-DTL-23659, or customer-specific requirements.
- Working knowledge of explosive safety practices, hazard classification, and DoD or equivalent safety requirements within a test or manufacturing environment.
- Hands-on experience using at least one statistical analysis software package and applying statistical methods to test data, such as reliability demonstration, Weibull analysis, design of experiments, capability analysis, or trend analysis.
- Experience using engineering drafting or CAD software, an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, and electrical circuit simulation software such as PSpice or an equivalent tool.
- Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with the ability to coach developing engineers, influence cross-functional partners, manage shared resources, and drive decisions through organizational complexity and changing priorities.
Preferred Qualifications- Advanced degree in a relevant engineering discipline.
- Active DoD security clearance.
- Direct experience with pyrotechnic actuator devices, initiators, detonators, propellants, airbags, or other energetic-material qualification testing.
- Experience standing up or expanding physical test infrastructure, including test bay design, facility siting, equipment acquisition, capital justification, and capacity planning.
- Certification or working knowledge of ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory accreditation and ANSI/NCSL Z540 calibration requirements.
- Six Sigma Green Belt or higher, Lean certification, formal RCCA/8D training, experience with automated test systems, or familiarity with AI-enabled engineering documentation tools.
- Experience with multiple statistical analysis, CAD/drafting, ERP, circuit-simulation, PLM/PDM, or automated test/data acquisition platforms.
Working Conditions & Physical Requirements- Regular presence in test bay and manufacturing environments involving energetic materials; must complete and maintain site-specific hazardous-materials, explosive-safety, security, and access-control training.
- Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) and comply with all safety, security, and access-control procedures for restricted test areas.
- Occasional exposure to outdoor test-range conditions, travel of approximately 10%, and non-standard work hours to support critical test schedules or off-site events.
- Ability to lift up to 25 lbs and stand for extended periods during test setup and execution.
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Ralliant Corporation OverviewRalliant, originally part of Fortive, now stands as a bold, independent public company driving innovation at the forefront of precision technology. With a global footprint and a legacy of excellence, we empower engineers to bring next-generation breakthroughs to life - faster, smarter, and more reliably. Our high-performance instruments, sensors, and subsystems fuel mission-critical advancements across industries, enabling real-world impact where it matters most. At Ralliant we're building the future, together with those driven to push boundaries, solve complex problems, and leave a lasting mark on the world.
About PacSci EMCPacific Scientific Energetic Materials Company (PacSci EMC), a Ralliant Corporation (NYSE: RAL) operating company, makes critical missions possible. From concept to demonstration to delivery, we provide leading-edge energetic materials, devices and subsystems for use in military and commercial applications. With engineering and manufacturing capability in Arizona and California, our associates work together to solve the toughest technical challenges with a dedication to Safety First, Quality Every TimeTM. We enable success for innumerable missions on a daily basis, impacting the lives of military personnel, law enforcement officers, commercial airline pilots, astronauts, and oil field operators. For nearly a century, PacSci EMC's experience and expertise has been relied upon in the times When Milliseconds MatterTM. For more information, go to PacSci EMC is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, sex, religion, age, national origin, color, disability, or veteran status. Nonetheless, ship is a requirement for this position due to U.S. Government contractual requirements. We are committed to providing a workplace free of any discrimination or harassment. We all have a role in building a community where everyone belongs. Where you can speak your mind, be yourself, and feel supported. It's how we achieve more together - for each other, for our customers, and for the world.
We Are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Ralliant Corporation and all Ralliant Companies are proud to be equal opportunity employers. We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or other characteristics protected by law. Ralliant and all Ralliant Companies are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Individuals who need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment application process, please contact us at
Pay RangeThe salary range for this position (in local currency) is 104300.00-193700.00
Is this role subject to ITAR?The essential duties of this position require adherence to U.S. Government export control regulations. While the company encourages all interested applicants to apply, please be aware that ongoing employment is dependent upon obtaining the appropriate government export authorizations.
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