Test and Integration Engineer (Navy Submarine Systems)

Test and Integration Engineer (Navy Submarine Systems)

Manassas, VA (On-site) | Full-time | Active Secret clearance required

Ever watched a great program stall because nobody could find the right form, the right lab slot, or the right person to sign off? This role exists to fix that.

Our client is a fast-growing defense technology company modernizing legacy submarine sensor systems. They’re replacing decades-old C code with modern, cloud-native, Rust-based software. Their engineering team builds great software. They’re looking for someone who can get it tested, validated, and accepted inside a complex Navy environment.

As the Test and Integration Engineer, you’ll be the link between the engineering team and the customer. You’ll be the person who knows which door to knock on and isn’t afraid to knock on it.

What you’ll do

• Work through customer bureaucracy so engineers can stay focused on code. That means tracking down forms, approval chains, and the right points of contact.
• Own test coordination: schedule lab time, stand up environments, and confirm the software performs against acceptance criteria.
• Turn customer requirements into clear, actionable guidance for the engineering team, covering performance thresholds, interface specs, and operational constraints.
• Build and maintain a map of stakeholders and escalation paths within the customer organization.
• Represent the company at integration events, demos, and working groups with real technical credibility.
• Catch blockers and integration risks early, and bring solutions before they become program-level problems.
• Document decisions, outcomes, and open items in real time so nothing falls through the cracks.

What we’re looking for

• Experience working in or alongside DoD programs. A program office, defense lab, ship, or submarine all count.
• Enough technical fluency to hold an informed conversation with software engineers. No coding required.
• Strong written and verbal communication. You write emails that get answered and you can brief a room.
• Organized and relentless about follow-through.
• Comfortable walking into an unfamiliar organization and building relationships fast.
• Active Secret clearance required. TS/SCI is a strong plus.

Bonus points

• Navy background in submarine sonar, fire control, or C4ISR (STS, FT, ET ratings, or equivalent officer designators)
• Familiarity with the ARCI lab environment or AN/BYG-1 / submarine C4ISR integration
• Experience with NUWC Newport, NAVSEA, or PEO IWS
• Exposure to message bus architectures (Kafka, Redpanda), or to Rust, C, or Protocol Buffers

Why this role

• Your experience matters more than your years. The client cares more about how well you operate in this environment than about time on a résumé.
• Real impact on the fleet: a small, expert team where your work directly shapes modernization outcomes.
• Clear growth path to Technical Program Manager or Principal Integrator as the program scales.
• Compensation set to match your experience.

Benefits:

• Unlimited PTO plus dedicated sick time and 11 paid holidays.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Performance and referral bonuses.
• Life insurance and disability coverage.
• Home office technology stipend.
• Professional development and certification reimbursement.