Production Test Center of Excellence (COE) Lead SME

We’re engineering the future of aerospace and defense. If you thrive on tackling complex challenges and delivering solutions where precision and reliability are non-negotiable, we want you on our team. Here, your expertise powers mission-critical systems that safeguard lives, advance technology, and push the boundaries of what’s possible. Join us and bring your skills to work where innovation meets impact. 

Quest Defense is seeking an experienced Production Test Subject Matter Expert (SME) to help establish and grow a Production Test Center of Excellence (COE). This individual will provide strategic and technical leadership across the complete production test lifecycle, helping customers define, design, build, deploy, validate, and sustain production test capabilities for complex electronic and electromechanical products.
This role is ideal for a seasoned industry professional with extensive experience in production test engineering, automated test equipment (ATE), manufacturing test systems, test cell architecture, and factory integration. The selected candidate will serve as a trusted advisor to both customers and internal leadership, helping shape technical solutions, guide delivery strategies, and support the growth of a turnkey production test business.
The ideal candidate understands not only how to engineer production test solutions, but also how to define, estimate, price, and deliver complete test capabilities that include hardware, software, automation, integration, installation, validation, and long-term sustainment.

Location: Remote within the U.S. with the ability to travel frequently to customer locations and Quest Defense sites, including McKinney, TX, as required.
Schedule: Approximately 4-20 hours per week. Open to Full-Time Engagement.
Clearance: Active Secret Clearance preferred; ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance required.

What You'll Do
•    Lead the development and maturation of a Production Test Center of Excellence focused on end-to-end production test solutions.
•    Advise customers on production test strategies, methodologies, operating models, and industry best practices.
•    Partner with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and program teams to define production test requirements, specifications, and success criteria.
•    Develop production test roadmaps spanning requirements definition, implementation, validation, deployment, and sustainment.
•    Define test methodologies, acceptance criteria, and production test strategies for electrical, functional, environmental, and system-level testing.
•    Develop front-to-back production test architectures, including test sequencing, workflow design, and test execution strategies.
•    Architect complete production test cells, including instrumentation, fixturing, sensors, switching systems, power systems, signal management, automation platforms, and data acquisition solutions.
•    Guide the development of automated test software, test executive applications, automation frameworks, and production data management solutions.
•    Establish validation processes, quality standards, compliance requirements, maintenance strategies, and operational performance metrics.
•    Support troubleshooting, root cause corrective action (RCCA), yield improvement, and operational excellence initiatives.
•    Develop sustainment plans, preventative maintenance approaches, and long-term support strategies for deployed test systems.
•    Support business development activities, including customer engagement, solution shaping, technical strategy, and capture planning.
•    Assist in developing Statements of Work (SOWs), technical proposals, basis-of-estimate packages, and pursuit strategies.
•    Define complete turnkey production test solutions, including engineering services, test hardware, instrumentation, software, automation, integration, installation, validation, training, and sustainment requirements.
•    Partner with engineering, operations, procurement, suppliers, and business leadership to develop executable delivery plans and comprehensive pricing strategies.
•    Evaluate technical risk, schedule drivers, capital equipment requirements, make-versus-buy decisions, subcontractor needs, and integration complexity to support competitive and executable proposals.
•    Advise leadership on team structures, organizational capabilities, required competencies, and strategic investments needed to expand production test capabilities.
•    Leverage industry expertise and professional networks to identify talent, partners, suppliers, and opportunities that strengthen Quest Defense's production test offerings.

What We're Looking For
•    20+ years of experience in Production Test Engineering, Manufacturing Test Engineering, Automated Test Equipment (ATE), Test Systems Engineering, or related engineering disciplines.
•    Demonstrated experience designing, implementing, and supporting production test environments for complex electronic, electromechanical, RF, communications, avionics, sensor, radar, weapons, or other mission-critical systems.
•    Deep understanding of the complete production test lifecycle, including:
o    Test requirements development
o    Test specifications and standards
o    Test strategy and sequencing
o    Test cell architecture and design
o    Instrumentation and measurement systems
o    Hardware and software integration
o    Test automation
o    Validation and qualification
o    Production deployment
o    Sustainment and maintenance
•    Hands-on experience developing production test hardware and infrastructure, including fixtures, instrumentation, switching systems, sensors, power systems, and data acquisition platforms.
•    Experience with automated test software, test executive platforms, automation frameworks, and production data collection and reporting systems.
•    Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, quality systems, statistical process control, Six Sigma methodologies, and continuous improvement practices.
•    Experience supporting products through transition from development and integration into full-rate production environments.
•    Experience defining solution architectures and execution strategies for production test systems and manufacturing test cells.
•    Experience developing business cases, basis-of-estimate packages, capital equipment assessments, material and labor estimates, integration plans, and turnkey solution pricing models.
•    Strong understanding of the cost drivers associated with engineering services, purchased hardware, instrumentation, software development, system integration, installation, validation, and sustainment.
•    Ability to communicate effectively with executive leadership, engineering organizations, manufacturing teams, suppliers, and customer stakeholders.
•    Proven ability to influence decisions, build trusted relationships, and serve as a strategic technical advisor.
•    Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline required; advanced degree preferred.
•    Willingness and ability to travel frequently based on customer and program needs.

Preferred Qualifications
•    Previous experience supporting major aerospace, defense, space, advanced electronics, or other high-reliability manufacturing organizations.
•    Experience developing, deploying, and sustaining production test solutions for complex electronic, electromechanical, RF, communications, radar, avionics, sensor, or mission-critical products.
•    Demonstrated success establishing or leading production test organizations, Centers of Excellence, or enterprise-wide test standards and processes.
•    Deep familiarity with Automated Test Equipment (ATE), test automation frameworks, instrumentation platforms, data acquisition systems, and manufacturing execution environments.
•    Experience delivering turnkey production test solutions that include engineering services, hardware procurement, instrumentation, software development, automation, system integration, factory installation, qualification, and operational support.
•    Experience working with cross-functional teams including engineering, manufacturing, operations, supply chain, quality, and program leadership.
•    Existing network of industry contacts, suppliers, and technical experts within aerospace, defense, advanced electronics, or high-tech manufacturing industries.
•    Active Secret Clearance preferred.
•    Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.

Success in This Role
The successful candidate will help establish and scale Quest Defense's Production Test Center of Excellence by developing repeatable methodologies, shaping customer solutions, and defining delivery strategies for complex production test systems. They will serve as a trusted technical leader responsible for helping win new business, developing executable and competitive pricing strategies, and ensuring successful delivery of turnkey production test capabilities, from concept and architecture through deployment, validation, and sustainment.

 The QDSS Advantage:  

At QDSS, our advantage is purpose-driven work, collaborative teams, and complex challenges that push boundaries and build lasting impact. You’ll grow your career while contributing to mission-critical programs that demand excellence and shape the future. 

What You’ll Find Here 

• Work That Matters – Next-generation, safety- and mission-critical projects where your contributions have real-world impact. 
• Growth That’s Supported – Competitive compensation, employer-matched 401(k), certification assistance, and clear opportunities for advancement. 
• A Culture That Works – A flexible, collaborative, and people-first environment where teamwork, innovation, and balance are valued.