Combat Systems Test Engineer

Overview

Test Engineer (SSETS-2026-25686):

Bowhead seeks a Combat Systems Test Engineer to join our team supporting the Advanced Sensor Systems Division B40 within the Electromagnetic and Sensor Systems Department (B Department), at Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD).

Responsibilities

The Combat Systems Test Engineer will work directly with the client supporting Navy and Marine Corps systems that include Dual Band Radar (DBR), Ground Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR), AN/SPY-1, AN/SPY-6, Enhanced Radar Data Display System (ERDDS), Enhanced Coherent Data Collection System (ECDCS), Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) and other Sensor Systems.

Job duties include but are not limited in:

• Develop and implement detailed test plans, procedures, and schedules for naval surface systems (e.g., radar, combat systems, weapon systems) in support of the Amphibious fleet.
• Conduct system integration tests, qualification tests, and environmental tests to assess system performance, reliability, and compliance with customer specifications.
• Work with engineering teams to isolate root causes and recommend corrective actions or design improvements.
• Participate in design reviews, test readiness reviews, and other technical meetings.
• Provide recommendations for process improvements, test methodologies, and tools to enhance testing efficiency and system performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, electrical, computer or electronics engineering. Other acceptable majors include mathematics, computer science or physics and 4 or more years of industry and/or DoD experience.
• Navy Combat Systems engineering experience.
• Hands-on experience in system testing, validation, and verification, with emphasis on hardware and software integration.
• Experience in the development and execution of test plans, test procedures, and test reports for complex systems.
• Experience with automated testing tools and data analysis tools (e.g., MATLAB and other modeling programs) for performance validation.
• Strong organizational skills to handle multiple projects, timelines, and priorities.
• Intermediate to advanced level skills in Microsoft Office software suite - Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint
• Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of employees and outside contacts
• Strong interpersonal skills and good judgment with the ability to work alone or as part of a team
• Position requires 100% of work conducted at customer site.  

General Sensor Engineering experience since award of degree:

• Minimum four (5) years if Candidate has a Bachelor’s degree
• Minimum two (3) years if Candidate has a Master’s degree

Specialized Experience:

• Performing complex radar system engineering, design, analysis, or sensor software development.
• Experienced in formulating opinions, decisions and ultimate performance of the engineering tasks associated with the radar/sensor program/project.
• Perform detailed and complex calculations and knowledge of practices/principles necessary to assess advanced radar systems concepts, assess specifications and perform system integration.
• Demonstrated experience in one or more of the following specific knowledge areas (as stated in the technical instruction):

1) Radio frequency hardware design and/or fabrication

2) Demonstrated knowledge of antenna engineering

3) Demonstrated knowledge of signal processing and Electronic Protection (a.k.a. Counter-Counter Measures)

• Demonstrated experience and ability to perform detailed and complex calculations and knowledge of practices/principles necessary to assess advanced radar systems concepts, assess specifications and perform system integration.

Physical Demands:

• Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds
• Must be able to stand and walk for prolonged amounts of time
• Must be able to twist, bend and squat periodically

Target salary is $105,000/annually to $160,000/annually commensurate with experience

SECURITY CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS: Must currently hold a security clearance at the Secret level.  US Citizenship is a requirement for Secret clearance at this location.

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Compensation: 105000 to 160000 (USD)