Background Information:

Innovative Defense Technologies (IDT), provider of cutting-edge cloud-based integration, automated testing and data analysis for complex, mission-critical systems in the US Department of Defense (DOD), is seeking a Field Test Engineer to be based in our Arlington, VA office.

Overview:

The Field Test Engineer will work in a fast paced, customer-focused team that understands the customer’s goals and needs. The Field Test Engineer must possess the desire and skills to work with the team of IDT designers, learn and utilize product features and capabilities and assist in the fielding, testing and operational execution during test and experimentation. They will participate in developing, testing and operating experimental technologies and capabilities for rapid deployment and testing in various test environments. The selected engineer must have sufficient experience working with both hardware and software systems and must be familiar with deploying and operating hardware and applications in a mission-critical environment.

The ideal candidate will have skills applicable to instrumentation and data recording, operational monitoring and assessment against requirements, and training/documentation methods to help the test execution lead understand results and take corrective actions. The Field Test Engineer will learn IDT’s technologies and how to execute them at deployed test sites to accelerate the pace of install, test, deployment, and in-service operation.

All applicants must currently possess an active U.S. Security Clearance.

Responsibilities Include:
- Provide operational and maintenance support of deployed software/hardware infrastructure supporting various DoD and Navy operational and developmental testing and experimentation.
- Perform deployment, installation, training and operational support of new software/hardware infrastructure across various test sites and Navy platforms.
- Coordinate with senior warfighters and government sponsors to plan, schedule and accomplish installation checkouts, operational testing and mission execution.
- Review software designs, generate test plans and procedures, and troubleshoot discrepancies during test events.
- Communicate directly with customers and users to understand needs and drive cross-functional technical issues/challenges during test events

Minimum Required Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, mathematics, physics, or other STEM field; or equivalent full-time professional experience
1-3 years of related experience

Required Skills:

Experience administering and troubleshooting Linux-based systems using command-line interface (CLI) tools and utilities.
Experience supporting software integration, testing, and troubleshooting within virtualized Linux environments.
Experience deploying, configuring, and managing virtualized environments using VMware technologies, including ESXi, vCenter, and virtual machine administration.
Ability to learn unique hardware/software deployment configuration and operations to be tested on-site.
Hands-on experience in deploying and maintaining applications in a mission-critical operational environment.
Ability to communicate with senior warfighters and test leads and assist with the test execution.
Understanding of performing test and integration, applying best engineering practices, and developing test and operational methodologies
Ability to apply troubleshooting techniques to systems, network, and processes to determine if exhibited behavior is expected.
Ability to travel up to 50%

Preferred Skills:

Experience working with complex Navy surface warfare systems and applications in an operational setting.
Experience System integration and test experience for tactical applications (Aegis Weapon System, CEC, Link16, etc.).
Have experience working with Aegis Weapon System or NAVSEA tactical applications.
Demonstrated knowledge in related disciplines (e.g., Software Engineering, IT, Networking).
Experience running and testing complex SW systems, especially DoD Systems or large distributed SW Solutions.
Experience developing or testing large, complex systems (e.g., DOD related lab environment).
Experience running codes or scripts in Python, Java, C++ or other languages.
Experience performing test and integration, applying best engineering practices, and executing test methodologies.

Competencies:

Ability to perform concurrent assignments and adapt to changing priorities
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Strong team-centric execution and coordination skills

Pay Range*: $74,000 - $116,000 or $90,000 - $150,000

This amount may not be reflective of actual compensation that may be earned as pay is dependent on a candidate’s experience, skills, and education. The posted range does not include bonuses, commissions, tips, or other benefits. IDT is often looking to place multiple candidates at various levels. Therefore, more than one pay range has been included, commensurate with experience.

About the company

IDT provides automated software testing, data analysis, and cybersecurity solutions for DoD mission-critical systems. Its ATRT technology automates the full testing lifecycle—from component tests to system integration and result analysis—allowing rapid updates of large, complex software. The offering emphasizes repeatable, statistically rigorous testing, rapid configuration validation, and on-demand regression tests in response to cyber threats, with solutions tailored to each customer’s system. The goal is to field new software capabilities faster and more affordably by reducing the time and cost spent on software testing.

Company Size

201-500

Company Stage

Grant

Total Funding

$1.6M

Headquarters

Arlington, Virginia

Founded

2006

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

June 2026 Navy IDIQ reached $748.6 million, extending through June 2031.
May 2026 ONR Paladin contract added $96.3 million for AI testing modernization.
Virginia approved a $19 million Arlington expansion creating 210 jobs in 2026.

What critics are saying

Navy concentration is severe: Project Paladin and June 2026 IDIQ dominate revenue.
Sole-source status creates procurement vulnerability if NAVSEA replaces IDT's toolchain.
Defense hiring expansion to 210 jobs raises execution risk before 2027 deliverables.

What makes Innovative Defense Technologies unique

IDT won Navy sole-source ATRT work in May 2026 and June 2026.
IDT embeds automated test engineering into fleet software, not generic consulting.
IDT spans simulation, virtualized tactical systems, and rugged edge compute for operators.

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Sep 13th, 2026

Awards | SBIR

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IDT to showcase mission integration, operational validation, and edge capabilities at SMD 2026. Innovative Defense Technologies (IDT) will participate in the 2026 Space & Missile Defense Symposium, August 11-13 at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Attendees can visit Booth 1112 to meet the IDT team and learn how the company helps defense customers move software-driven capability into complex operational environments faster. During the symposium, IDT will demonstrate a tactical analysis environment that allows operators to explore mission scenarios, compare courses of action, and evaluate operational tradeoffs. The environment combines simulation, virtualized tactical systems, mission data, and AI-enabled reasoning to analyze more mission permutations than physical testing alone can support. Users define the objectives, assumptions, priorities, and constraints, while operators retain decision authority. Visitors can also explore an interactive experience highlighting IDT's solutions, demonstrated outcomes, and supporting capabilities across the capability lifecycle from design and integration through testing, deployment, and operational decision-making. The booth will also feature a ruggedized, deployable computing platform designed to host virtualized tactical systems, automated testing, analytics, data, and mission applications closer to the operational environment. The display illustrates how significant computing, memory, and storage capacity can be packaged for demanding workloads at the edge or in constrained environments. Across more than 300 defense projects, IDT has helped reduce integration timelines by 75 percent, decrease testing labor by more than 90 percent, and increase test coverage by 350 percent. The 2026 Space & Missile Defense Symposium will take place August 11-13 at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville. Visit IDT at Booth 1112 to meet the team and see these capabilities in action.

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Innovative Defense Technologies

Field Test Engineer

About the job

About the company

Get referred to Innovative Defense Technologies

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

What critics are saying

What makes Innovative Defense Technologies unique

Benefits

Growth & Insights and Company News

6 month growth

1 year growth

2 year growth