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Systems Test Engineer (Space & Missile Warning) Verified today

Vantor · El Segundo, CA · Production · first seen 2026-10-21
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About the Role

You will test, analyze, evaluate, verify, and validate Missile Warning (MW), Tactical Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (TISR), and Environmental Monitoring (EM) systems developed for the U.S. Space Force. Your work will identify areas requiring urgent mitigation early in system development and contribute to the acquisition and deployment of resilient space sensing capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

  • Plan, execute, and report developmental test and evaluation (DT&E) activities in support of certification of readiness to proceed to operational testing per AFI 99-103
  • Execute tests, perform data analysis and reduction, and generate comprehensive test reports with findings and recommendations
  • Develop and execute Test & Evaluation Master Plans (TEMPs), System Test Plans (STPs), Requirement Verification Plans (RVPs), and Requirement Verification Reports (RVRs)
  • Conduct system of systems tests for space-to-ground and cross-segment integration
  • Organize and facilitate Integrated Test Teams (ITT), Deficiency Review Boards (DRB), Materiel Improvement Project Review Boards (MIPRB), and technical interchange meetings
  • Understand and decompose system requirements and interface specifications, allocate requirements to testable elements, and establish acceptance criteria and success metrics
  • Conduct Test Readiness Reviews (TRR) and communicate with government clients, FFRDCs, prime contractors, and test organizations

Required Qualifications

  • U.S. Citizenship
  • Active Secret clearance
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, or a technology field
  • 10+ years of experience in test and evaluation, verification, or system integration on Major Defense Acquisition Programs, including complex space or ground software and hardware systems
  • 5+ years of experience supporting Government developmental test and evaluation (DT&E) programs as part of the Lead Development Test Organization (LDTO)
  • Experience planning, executing, and reporting DT&E activities per AFI 99-103, including test procedures and artifacts per AFMAN 63-119
  • Experience executing tests, performing data analysis and reduction, and generating comprehensive test reports
  • Experience developing and executing TEMPs, STPs, RVPs, and RVRs
  • Experience conducting system of systems tests for space-to-ground or cross-segment integration
  • Ability to understand and decompose system requirements and interface specifications, allocate requirements to testable elements, and establish acceptance criteria
  • Ability to communicate and establish collaborative relationships with government clients, FFRDCs, prime contractors, and test organizations, with knowledge of systems engineering standards including IEEE 15288.1 and IEEE 15288.2

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with LDTO leadership roles including coordination with operational test agencies and weapon system certification
  • Experience performing requirements decomposition and allocation and developing test scenarios that exercise interface control documents
  • Experience with test data analysis techniques, including statistical analysis and anomaly identification
  • Experience performing systems engineering, integration, and testing on Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) systems, missile warning systems, or space-based remote sensing systems, with direct experience on Next Gen OPIR, NGG, NGP, FORGE, RGS, SBIRS, SGEO, or SHEO programs
  • Experience supporting interoperability test and evaluation programs and portfolio verification, validation, certification, and operational acceptance
  • Experience using Model-Based Systems Engineering tools (DOORS, MagicDraw) to manage system definitions and requirements verification on Government classified networks
  • Experience conducting third-party Independent Verification & Validation (IV&V) of software and database releases
  • Knowledge of DoD 5000 series, MIL-STD-3022, and DoDAF architecture framework
  • Master's degree in Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, or related technical field
  • CTEP or INCOSE Systems Engineering Professional Certifications (ASEP, CSEP, or ESEP)

Work Location and Schedule

Hybrid, requiring at least 2-3 days per week on site in El Segundo, CA. Meetings and schedules may require additional on-site days.

Compensation and Benefits

Base pay for this position in California: $125,000.00 - $167,000.00 - $183,700.00 annually, based on experience, qualifications, skills, location, and market conditions.

Vantor offers a competitive total rewards package including 401(k) with company match, mental health resources, student loan repayment assistance, adoption reimbursement, and pet insurance.

Employment Requirements

U.S. citizenship is required. This position requires an active U.S. Government Secret clearance. Applicants who do not currently hold the required clearance will not be eligible for consideration. Employment is contingent upon verification of clearance status. Certain roles may be subject to U.S. export control laws, requiring U.S. person status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).