Project Engineer | Weapons Test Engineering

Position Overview

The Project Engineer – Weapons Test Engineering provides project leadership and technical coordination supporting research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) activities for propulsion systems, missile subsystems, and energetic technologies within the Weapons Analysis and Evaluation Division. This role focuses on planning, coordinating, and executing engineering projects that support weapons testing activities conducted in test engineering laboratories and outdoor test range environments. The Project Engineer manages the lifecycle of test engineering projects—from planning and supplier coordination through fabrication, assembly, test execution, and post-test reporting.

The position requires close collaboration with engineers, machinists, technicians, and external fabrication partners to ensure that specialized hardware, instrumentation systems, and test fixtures required for laboratory and range testing are delivered on schedule and assembled efficiently.

While the primary emphasis of this role is project management and coordination of test engineering programs, successful candidates will benefit from a strong technical foundation in a relevant engineering discipline and familiarity with rapid-prototyping environments commonly found in experimental test laboratories.

Projects are frequently executed in fast-paced test engineering laboratories and outdoor test ranges, where schedules are aggressive and hardware must be fabricated, assembled, and prepared for test events within strict timelines. The Project Engineer ensures these efforts remain aligned with technical objectives, safety requirements, and mission priorities.

About Cypress Lake Solutions

Cypress Lake Solutions is a mission-driven small business based in North Alabama near Redstone Arsenal, serving the heart of the U.S. defense and aerospace community. Our mission is to serve with integrity, lead with compassion, and deliver with excellence—putting people first in every solution we provide. We are more than a service provider; we are stewards of trust who value meaningful relationships with our clients, employees, and community. Rooted in faith and principles of servant leadership, we strive to operate with humility, transparency, and the belief that doing what is right always comes before doing what is easy. Our culture is shaped by four guiding priorities:

Faith: We lead with integrity and a commitment to ethical decision-making.
Family: We support employees’ responsibilities at home and encourage healthy work-life balance.
Fulfillment: We help our team pursue meaningful work and grow professionally.
Fellowship: We value camaraderie, teamwork, and celebrating achievements.

Employees at Cypress Lake are treated as trusted professionals and empowered to excel in their mission.

Location

This position supports the U.S. Army DEVCOM Aviation & Missile Center (AvMC) Technology Development Directorate at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, neighboring Huntsville, AL.

Work environments may include engineering laboratories, machine shops, fabrication facilities, and outdoor weapons test ranges supporting propulsion and weapon system testing.

Job Description

The Project Engineer – Weapons Test Engineering manages projects supporting the planning and execution of propulsion and weapon system testing activities conducted in test engineering laboratories and outdoor test ranges. The role focuses on coordinating the fabrication, procurement, scheduling, and assembly of specialized hardware and instrumentation systems required to support test programs.

Responsibilities include planning and executing projects while managing cost, schedule, scope, risk, and quality to ensure successful delivery of test objectives.

The Project Engineer works closely with government researchers, test engineers, machinists, technicians, and external suppliers to translate engineering requirements into executable project plans supporting laboratory testing and range-based test operations. Projects frequently involve the fabrication and integration of custom test hardware used in propulsion and weapon subsystem testing programs. Testing activities may involve propulsion systems, energetic materials, instrumentation systems, and other specialized experimental hardware used in RDT&E programs. Work environments may include machine shops, engineering laboratories, instrumentation facilities, and outdoor test ranges where propulsion systems and weapon technologies are evaluated.

Production Management of Outside Suppliers & Vendors

The Project Engineer coordinates fabrication and delivery of specialized hardware used in laboratory and test range environments through external suppliers and fabrication partners.

Responsibilities include:

• Vendor sourcing and management: identifying and coordinating with fabricators, suppliers, and subcontractors to support project requirements
• Procurement oversight: ensuring purchase orders are issued and outsourced components are tracked through fabrication and delivery
• Production monitoring: tracking supplier progress and verifying fabrication schedules align with upcoming laboratory tests or range test events
• Risk mitigation: proactively identifying supplier delays, fabrication issues, or capacity constraints and developing recovery plans
• Quality verification: ensuring vendor deliveries meet engineering specifications and fabrication requirements using standard measurement tools such as calipers, micrometers, and gauges

Scheduling & Assembly Coordination

The Project Engineer develops and maintains integrated schedules that align supplier lead times with internal assembly activities and scheduled test events.

Responsibilities include:

• Developing and maintaining master project schedules using tools such as Microsoft Project
• Integrating supplier fabrication timelines with internal assembly schedules and planned test range operations
• Coordinating logistics for receiving materials, fabricated components, and test hardware required for laboratory or range testing
• Supporting planning and sequencing for assembly and integration of complex test hardware and instrumentation systems
• Acting as the coordination link between purchasing, engineering teams, fabrication shops, and test operations personnel

Project Leadership & Communication

The Project Engineer maintains visibility across all aspects of the project lifecycle and ensures effective communication between stakeholders involved in test programs.

Responsibilities include:

• Maintaining project documentation, including bills of material (BOMs), vendor quotes, receiving documentation, engineering drawings, and change orders
• Preparing status reports and progress updates for internal leadership and government stakeholders
• Supporting cost management activities, including monitoring budgets, invoices, and project expenses
• Coordinating with engineering teams to ensure technical requirements are clearly communicated to suppliers and fabrication partners
• Supporting post-test documentation including engineering reports, briefings, and technical summaries

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in a relevant engineering discipline (Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or similar field)
• 4–10 years of relevant engineering, project engineering, or technical program management experience
• Experience managing technical projects involving hardware fabrication, integration, or testing
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in fast-paced engineering environments supporting laboratory testing and range operations
• Must be a U.S. Citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
• Ability to work safely around energetic materials with proper training and oversight
• Willingness to work in test engineering laboratories, machine shops, and outdoor test range environments
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary engineering team

Desired Skills and Experience

• Experience supporting propulsion, missile systems, or weapons testing programs
• Experience working in test laboratories and outdoor weapons test ranges
• Experience managing fabrication efforts with machine shops or engineering suppliers
• Familiarity with rapid prototyping or skunkworks-style engineering environments
• Experience with mechanical CAD design tools such as SolidWorks (preferred)
• Familiarity with instrumentation systems used in test environments such as pressure sensors, thermocouples, load cells, and data acquisition systems
• Experience supporting Department of Defense RDT&E programs
• Four or more years of experience in test engineering
• Four or more years of experience in project engineering or project management

What We Offer

• 401(k) retirement plan with generous company matching
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Employer-paid life and disability insurance
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Paid parental leave
• Flexible scheduling including a 9/80 schedule where mission and contracts allow
• Tuition reimbursement for approved programs
• Performance bonus and merit increase eligibility
• Direct access to leadership in a supportive small-business environment

Equal Opportunity Employer

Cypress Lake Solutions, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person