Engineering Environmental Test Lead

Hansell Tierney is partnering with an innovative aerospace engineering organization to identify a Engineering Environmental Test Lead to join their growing team.

Location: Southern California – onsite (Relocation support is available)

Benefits: Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional development.

Compensation: The anticipated annual base salary range for this role is $175,500 – $230,000, plus equity. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, qualifications, and performance.

Position Overview

We’re partnering with a high-growth aerospace engineering organization seeking a Engineering Environmental Test Lead to lead a team responsible for the testing and validation of critical components used in advanced aerospace vehicle programs. In this leadership role, you will oversee all aspects of environmental and functional testing, from strategic planning and execution to root cause analysis and compliance. The ideal candidate is a seasoned test engineer with strong leadership skills, deep knowledge of aerospace test standards, and experience driving complex test campaigns through to successful flight readiness.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead operations of the Environmental Test division, including personnel oversight, facility infrastructure, and budget management
• Provide technical direction, mentorship, and performance leadership for a team of engineers and specialists
• Review and approve technical deliverables, ensuring quality, accuracy, and compliance with internal and external requirements
• Oversee the creation, review, and execution of environmental test plans, procedures, and reports
• Support and manage environmental testing efforts both onsite and at partner facilities
• Lead root cause and corrective action (RCCA) investigations and implement solutions to ensure reliability and safety
• Serve as the primary interface with regulatory bodies to support test documentation and approval processes
• Manage development and deployment of automated test systems and data acquisition platforms
• Oversee procurement, maintenance, and operation of environmental test equipment (e.g., vibration tables, thermal chambers)
• Guide the long-term development and capability roadmap of the Environmental Test division

Qualifications & Skills

Required:

• Background in one or more of the following: electrical engineering, software engineering, avionics, experimental flight systems, or launch vehicle integration
• Strong understanding of environmental test standards (e.g., DO-160, MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-461, SMC-S-16)
• Demonstrated experience with environmental acceptance and qualification testing
• Experience developing test system software and designing instrumentation systems
• Proven leadership, team-building, and personnel management skills
• Excellent communication skills and stakeholder management experience
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to work independently and manage complex projects in dynamic environments
• U.S. citizenship and eligibility to obtain a DoD security clearance

Preferred:

• Experience with automated test systems and data acquisition platforms
• Familiarity with electrical and mechanical schematics
• Experience testing RF components (e.g., transmitters, antennas, GPS, cabling)
• Integration experience with aerospace electrical systems
• EMC testing experience per MIL-STD-461 or equivalent
• Hands-on experience with NI cRIO/cDAQ, Curtiss-Wright KAM-500, and IADS
• Experience developing digital test procedures and CAD models (e.g., SolidWorks)
• Familiarity with electrical design tools such as Capital or Zuken

Technical Skills

Required:

• MS Office Suite
• Programming skills in Python, C/C , LabVIEW, or MATLAB

Preferred:

• Experience with Jira (issue tracking) and Git (configuration management)
• Proficiency with command-line and scripting languages

Education & Experience

• Staff Level: Bachelor’s degree with 10–20 years of engineering experience, or equivalent
• Principal Level: Bachelor’s degree with 20 years of engineering experience, or equivalent

Work Environment

• Full-time onsite position based in Southern California
• Occasional travel (less than 10%) required

About Hansell Tierney:

Hansell Tierney is one of the premier staffing and recruiting companies in the Pacific Northwest. Launched in 2001, we are a woman-owned business that serves and staffs Northwest organizations by doing things the right way, not just the easiest way. Hansell Tierney partners with candidates and clients to match the best candidates with interesting local opportunities. We navigate every relationship with the highest level of discretion and service while holding ourselves accountable to our promises. Our business thrives on our deep understanding of the job market and our ability to skillfully tailor our recruitment process to meet our clients' unique needs.