Test Engineering Manager

Manager Of Test Engineering

The Manager of Test Engineering leads the full lifecycle of environmental and functional testing for systems operating in harsh or critical climates. This role emphasizes people leadership while maintaining strong technical oversight, ensuring testing meets contractual, quality, and budget requirements. The Manager fosters a high-performing, inclusive, and forward-looking team culture.

Responsibilities include creating and executing comprehensive staff growth, technical development, and succession plans to ensure organizational depth and readiness. Provide structured coaching and mentoring that raises both technical expertise and professional maturity across the team. Establish and enforce clear role definitions, balanced workloads, and performance accountability. Build and sustain strong relationships with customers, vendors, and suppliers. Act as a visible leader who sets expectations, addresses performance issues directly, and develops future leaders within the organization. Promote and model a culture of candid feedback, constructive debate, and mutual respect. Serve as the primary advocate for the Test Engineering organization within the company. Lead and oversee all environmental and functional testing, ensuring compliance with applicable standards. Maintain holistic control of the testing process from procedure development through execution. Manage calibration, preventive maintenance, and upgrades for lab equipment. Plan, forecast, and manage budgets for capital improvements, staffing, and operating costs. Identify and implement test capability enhancements aligned with future program needs. Lead external customer-facing presentations and technical communications.

Essential skills include test engineering expertise with 12+ years technical experience and 5+ years direct leadership. BS degree in engineering. Proven track record of technical delivery and customer engagement. Direct experience with environmental and functional testing, including humidity, temperature, shock, vibration, airborne noise, structureborne noise, enclosure, pressure, EMI / EMC. Hands-on experience with compliance standards like the person-STD-901, the person-STD-810, the person-STD-461. Additional skills and qualifications include proven ability to grow people and develop future leaders. Solid organizational skills with the ability to juggle multiple test programs and priorities. Comfortable with clear and confident written and verbal communication. Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite, test management tools, and configuration / data management systems. Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

Work cross-functionally in an engineering services company in the defense space. The work environment promotes an inclusive culture with a focus on cognitive diversity where all voices are heard without judgment. The role requires collaboration with engineering, programs, quality, procurement, and technical customers.

This is a contract position based out of Burnsville, MN. The pay range for this position is $55.00 - $65.00 / hr. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following : medical, dental & vision; critical illness, accident, and hospital; 401(k) retirement plan pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available; life insurance (voluntary life & AD&D for the employee and dependents); short and long-term disability; health spending account (HSA); transportation benefits; employee assistance program; time off / leave (PTO, vacation or sick leave).