Job Information
Actalent Engineering Vehicle Test Lead in Mojave, California
Job Title: Engineering Vehicle Test Engineer
Job Description
The Engineering Vehicle Test Lead serves as a senior-level test engineer responsible for leading hypersonic vehicle testing, with a strong focus on vehicle integration and test. In this role, you collaborate closely with a multi-disciplinary engineering team and program leadership to define, plan, and execute test campaigns that ensure the vehicle meets all technical and performance requirements. You will guide test strategy, drive data review and analysis processes, and uphold high standards for test planning, documentation, and technical integrity.
Responsibilities
Lead vehicle integration and test activities for hypersonic vehicles, ensuring all efforts align with program objectives and requirements.
Collaborate with systems engineering, test responsible engineers, and program leadership to define and implement comprehensive vehicle integration and test plans.
Work with a multi-disciplinary engineering team to create, maintain, and continuously update a detailed test objective database.
Ensure the vehicle is tested in a manner that thoroughly verifies and validates vehicle requirements and performance criteria.
Participate in test planning activities, including development of test plans, procedures, and schedules.
Lead or support Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs) to confirm readiness of the vehicle, ground systems, and test team prior to execution.
Oversee and participate in test execution, including ground tests and flight tests, as applicable.
Troubleshoot vehicle issues during integration and test, coordinating with subsystem owners to identify root causes and corrective actions.
Conduct and lead post-test data reviews, ensuring that test results are accurately captured, analyzed, and communicated.
Architect and optimize data review methodologies, as well as data review and data analysis tools, to improve test efficiency and insight.
Understand and manage connections and dependencies between subsystems, ensuring integrated performance and identifying potential interface issues.
Set and maintain standards for test planning, documentation, and reporting, and ensure these standards are consistently met across the team.
Contribute to design and technical reviews by providing test and integration perspectives, including risk identification and mitigation strategies.
Demonstrate honesty, responsibility, and integrity in all commitments and interactions, fostering a culture of accountability and trust.
Essential Skills
Proven experience working in small, dynamic engineering teams where each member assumes multiple responsibilities.
Previous test experience in one or more of the following: vehicle integration testing, ground testing, and/or flight testing.
Hands-on familiarity with avionics, instrumentation, software, fluid systems, liquid rockets, and/or structures, with priority placed on avionics and instrumentation.
Ability to quickly adapt to changing priorities and evolving program needs.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills for effective interaction with engineering teams and program leadership.
Ability to acquire and maintain a security clearance.
Proficiency with MS Office tools, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Familiarity with CAD tools, with SolidWorks preferred.
Familiarity with configuration management systems such as Jira.
Familiarity with requirements management systems such as DOORS or similar tools.
Technical experience in vehicle integration, vehicle test, test execution, and requirements analysis.
Experience with flight test environments and associated processes.
Understanding of instrumentation and fluid systems used in aerospace testing.
Ability to participate in and support design reviews.
Knowledge of hypersonic systems and associated testing considerations.
Ability to identify and communicate technical risks related to testing and vehicle performance.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Experience as a Test Conductor, leading or directing test operations.
Experience contributing to systems engineering content for major technical reviews such as System Requirements Review (SRR), Preliminary Design Review (PDR), or Critical Design Review (CDR).
Experience maintaining aerospace industry standards for vehicle configuration control and configuration changes.
Experience with air-launched hypersonic vehicle development.
Experience with technical risk identification, management, and mitigation in an aerospace environment.
Experience defining, managing, and verifying requirements for hypersonic vehicles with hot-structure airframes.
Current Department of Defense Secret security clearance.
Programming experience in Matlab and Python for data analysis and test automation.
Advanced experience with CAD tools, particularly SolidWorks.
Deeper experience with configuration management systems such as Jira.
Extensive experience with requirements management systems such as DOORS or comparable platforms.
Comfort working in a fast-paced, highly collaborative test environment.
Interest in contributing to cutting-edge hypersonic technology development.
Eligibility for and interest in participating in tuition reimbursement programs for continued professional development.
Work Environment
This role is based in Mojave, California, within a hands-on aerospace test and development environment focused on hypersonic vehicles. You will work closely with a small, dynamic engineering team that values collaboration, adaptability, and technical excellence. The position involves regular interaction with systems engineering, test engineers, and program leadership, as well as frequent engagement with tools and technologies such as MS Office, SolidWorks or other CAD software, configuration management systems like Jira, and requirements management tools such as DOORS. Work includes both office-based planning and analysis and on-site support of vehicle integration, ground tests, and potentially flight tests. Travel is estimated to be less than 10% in support of program activities. The organization offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage, paid maternity and parental leave, a 401(k) savings plan with a generous company match, and tuition reimbursement to support ongoing education and professional growth. The culture emphasizes integrity, responsibility, and clear communication, providing an environment where engineers can take ownership of critical test campaigns and contribute directly to the success of advanced hypersonic programs.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Mojave, CA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $125000.00 - $210000.00/yr.
9/80 schedule Healthcare (medical, dental, vision, prescription drugs) Paid Maternity and Parental Leave 50% company match per contributed dollar into 401(k) savings plan, up to $11,500 Tuition reimbursement
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Mojave,CA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Apr 22, 2026.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through:
Hiring diverse talent
Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
Ensuring growth opportunities for our people
Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we’ve helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC—with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000+ extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day.
Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.