Senior Manager, Test Engineering

ABOUT THE TEAM

Anduril Rocket Motor Systems (RMS) has a manufacturing facility located in McHenry, MS, just north of the Gulfport/Biloxi metro area, approximately 45 minutes from the Gulf. The site houses dozens of buildings and includes facilities focused on research and development, case preparation, and solid rocket fuel manufacturing. RMS is made of multiple teams including Development Operations, Production Operations, Quality, Supply Chain & Warehouse, Manufacturing Engineering, Tool Engineering, Facilities, and Maintenance. This role would be located onsite as part of the Production Operations organization.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Lead the test operations and engineering organization responsible for development, qualification, and production testing of solid rocket motors and related energetic hardware. Own test planning, test system readiness, safe execution of static fire and related development tests, data quality, and the engineers supporting those campaigns. Partner with Ballistics, Manufacturing, Site Operations, Quality, Safety, and range partners to deliver test results that mature hardware and support production decisions while maintaining an uncompromising safety culture in high-consequence energetic environments.

This position requires that you be comfortable working with and around potentially hazardous operations, can maintain exceptional attention to detail, and, above all else, have the courage to call a “Stop Work” if the situation calls for it. You will also be expected to quickly adapt to new challenges and taskings as a leader in a new and evolving business division.

• Lead the energetics test engineering team, including hiring, mentoring, priorities, and performance for engineers supporting SRM and related energetic testing.
• Own the test engineering roadmap for development, qualification, and production-acceptance testing of solid rocket motors and associated hardware.
• Direct development of test plans, procedures, instrumentation requirements, and success criteria for static fire and related development and qualification tests.
• Ensure test stands, instrumentation, data acquisition, and safety systems are ready, documented, and maintained for scheduled campaigns.
• Oversee real-time test support, data reduction, anomaly investigation, and formal test reporting in partnership with Propulsion and Quality.
• Coordinate with range safety, Site Operations, and external test facilities on schedules, constraints, and test readiness reviews.
• Drive continuous improvement in test efficiency, data integrity, instrumentation standards, and lessons learned across campaigns.
• Ensure compliance with DoD explosive safety standards, ATF requirements, ITAR, range safety, and site energetic-materials protocols.
• Support transition of test methods from R&D campaigns to repeatable production acceptance testing as programs scale.
• Report test readiness, safety, schedule, and technical risk to senior leadership and program teams.
• Partner with Manufacturing and Design on testability, hardware interfaces, and post-test hardware disposition.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field required; master’s degree preferred.
• 8+ years of test engineering experience in aerospace, defense, or propulsion.
• 6+ years leading engineers or serving as a technical lead on energetic, ordnance, or solid rocket motor test programs.
• Demonstrated experience planning and supporting static fire or equivalent high-consequence propulsion tests.
• Basic familiarity with the major elements of DoD 4145 and AS9100
• Mechanical aptitude and experience working with hand-tools and standard industrial adhesives.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and the ability to adapt to new software utilizations quickly.
• Experience evaluating data and information and packaging those inputs into polished presentations for senior and executive leaders.
• Ability to work in a very fast-paced organization with minimal oversight.
• High ownership mentality and willingness to tackle problems that may challenge you.
• Fit enough to deal with regular stair climbing, frequent bending, stooping, kneeling, twisting, turning, and standing for extended periods.
• Capable of lifting at least 40 pounds and withstand frequent repetitive movement of hands with a variety of tooling.
• Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export-controlled information or facilities.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance