About The Role:

Innovative Defense Technologies (IDT), a leading defense technology company, is seeking an Engineering Technical Lead to be part of our Integrated Mission Systems team and based out of our San Diego, CA location.

The Engineering Technical Lead will drive and manage a fast-paced, customer-focused test and experimentation team. This role requires deep experience in designing, testing, integrating, deploying, and operating complex software and hardware systems in mission-critical environments. You will lead a team to architect, deliver, and integrate sophisticated DoD systems onboard ships and other Navy assets, ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget. This hands-on role demands strong judgment, adaptability, and technical leadership during high-visibility test events, where you will interface directly with senior warfighters and government sponsors to resolve complex operational issues.

Clearance & Location Requirements:

All applicants must be able to obtain/maintain an active Secret U.S. Security Clearance.
This is an on-site position. Requiring at least 4 days in office, based out of our San Diego, CA location.

What You Will Do:

Lead and Mentor Teams: Provide direct leadership and mentorship to a team of engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence and collaboration. Define team priorities, manage tasking, and support the professional development of team members.
Define and Scope Solutions: Translate stakeholder needs into clear, prioritized requirements and success criteria to guide project outcomes.
Architect and Design Systems: Develop structured, scalable hardware and software system designs that optimize performance, reliability, and long-term sustainability.
Manage Program Execution: Implement scalable processes and tools to enhance efficiency. Assign tasks, forecast skill gaps, and identify procurement efficiencies to ensure coordinated execution across the program.
Integrate and Validate Systems: Lead the deployment, installation, and operational support of complex software and hardware systems. Troubleshoot and resolve advanced system, network, and integration issues during live test and experimentation events.
Leverage Data for Insights: Analyze customer feedback, test results, and performance trends to inform design direction and provide actionable recommendations for corrective actions.
Ensure Quality, Cost, and Schedule Adherence: Develop and manage plans to maintain consistent standards, financial discipline, and schedule alignment.
Collaborate and Communicate: Work directly with senior warfighters, test directors, and government sponsors to define objectives, schedules, and execution plans.

Who You Are (Required):

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, or another STEM field (or equivalent professional experience).
A minimum of 7 years of experience in the design, development, and management of complex software systems for the DoD.
Proven ability to deploy, operate, and sustain Navy software and hardware systems in mission-critical environments.
Strong system integration and test experience, including with distributed and tactical systems.
Experience leading and coordinating test execution activities in the field.
Advanced troubleshooting skills across software, networks, hardware, and operational processes.
Understanding of the Systems Engineering V-Model and standard software development processes.
Ability to travel up to 25% of the time as needed.

What Makes You Stand Out:

Master’s degree in a related field.
Experience working with the U.S. Navy and government contracts.
Experience with logistics processes, including procurement, classified packaging, and spares management.
Experience in proposal development and cost estimation.
Familiarity with Navy C4I systems and/or surface warfare systems and tactical applications (e.g., Aegis Weapon System, CEC, Link-16).
Proficiency in scripting or implementing algorithms in C++, Python, JavaScript, Java, MATLAB, or other languages.
Strong background in Software Engineering, Cybersecurity, IT, or Networking.

If you see yourself reflected in this role and are excited about the impact you could make, we encourage you to apply! If you know someone who may be a great fit, please feel free to share this opportunity with your network.

Pay Range*: $135,000 - $231,000 or $164,000 - $273,000

*Pursuant to California Senate Bill 1162, IDT is required to disclose the “pay scale” or “pay range” associated with a job posting. Notably, however, 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. Click here for additional information about Senate Bill 1162. 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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Benefits

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6 month growth

11%

1 year growth

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2 year growth

11%

SBIR.gov

Sep 13th, 2026

Awards | SBIR

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Innovative Defense Technologies

Aug 6th, 2026

IDT to showcase mission integration, operational validation, and edge capabilities at SMD 2026.

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.

HR TODAY

Apr 16th, 2025

Martha Anderson Promoted to Vice President, Talent Development at Innovative Defense Technologies

Arlington, Virginia, United States, April 2025 - Martha Anderson has been promoted to Vice President, Talent Development at Innovative Defense Technologies (IDT) after more than three years of transformative contributions as Director of Talent Development.

Innovative Defense Technologies

Nov 19th, 2024

IDT Proud to Partner with ONR on Slingshot Experimentation Series

In collaboration with commercial partners Royce Geo and Satellogic, IDT will deliver essential software and rapid updates to facilitate robust Research, Development, Testing & Evaluation of satellite remote sensing capabilities in the first phase of the Slingshot series.

ExecutiveBiz

Sep 28th, 2023

Innovative Defense Technologies Receives Potential $90M Contract to Support Navy's Project Overmatch

Innovative Defense Technologies, a software-based warfare capabilities provider, has secured a potential three-year, $89.8 million contract from the U.S. Navy to support a Department of the Navy project focused on advancing naval technology.

Innovative Defense Technologies

Engineering Technical Lead

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