Title:  Engineer, Test Sr.

VACCO Industries

Job Description

Job Title:                    Senior Test Engineer

Department:              Project Engineering

Reports To:                Director, Operations

FLSA Status:            

Prepared By:                         D. Neff

Prepared Date:          April 21, 2024

Approved By:           

Approved Date:

SUMMARY:

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Test Engineer to join our dynamic team, specializing in the design, build, and testing of flow systems. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in testing valves, regulators, pumps, and flow meters under varying pressure conditions. Strong hands-on experience with pressure and flow instrumentation, including sensor calibration and system troubleshooting, is essential. Proficiency with benchtop test equipment, thermal chambers, and fluid control components is required. The candidate should be comfortable interpreting mechanical specifications, engineering drawings, and fluid system schematics. Familiarity with data acquisition tools and relevant industry standards is a plus. This role offers an opportunity to lead critical test efforts, drive technical improvements, and support the development of advanced flow control technologies in a collaborative environment. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design, build, and validate high-pressure flow test systems for gas and liquid applications.
• Develop and execute test procedures for components such as valves, regulators, pumps, and flow meters.
• Perform detailed pressure and flow measurements, sensor calibration, and system troubleshooting.
• Document test setups, results, and deviations in accordance with internal and customer requirements.
• Interface with design, quality, and production teams to resolve test-related issues and improve system reliability.
• Maintain test equipment and ensure all setups meet safety standards and pressure handling protocols.
• Support integration of data acquisition tools for monitoring, recording, and analysis of test performance.
• Provide expert-level support for existing programs related to test engineering tasks, underpinning the organization’s commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Mentors other Test Engineers, when needed.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Extensive experience building and testing high-pressure flow systems, including integration of valves, regulators, sensors, and pumps.
• Strong understanding of pressure, flow, and temperature sensors—manual and digital—including calibration and troubleshooting.
• Experienced with thermal chambers, oscilloscopes, and Keysight lab equipment for system performance evaluation.
• Proficient in configuring and controlling solenoid valves, automated regulators, and motor-driven flow control hardware.
• Competence in data processing.
• Knowledge in temperature control systems, leakage detectors, mass flow meters, and both manual and digital sensors, ensuring precise and reliable testing environments.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

B.S. Degree in Engineering (B.ME preferred) from a four-year college or university; a minimum of eight (8) years of test engineering or related experience and/or training, preferably in an Aerospace environment; or an equivalent number of years of education.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents.  Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.  Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and customers.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Ability to apply advanced mathematical concepts/models, to analyze the behavior of physical components and systems; and be competent to derive and interpret these notations using background knowledge and context to design/troubleshoot VACCO products.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for long periods of time, walk and reach with hands and arms.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Majority of work is performed in a typical office environment with no major sources of discomfort.  Essentially a normal controlled working environment with noise levels within acceptable safety limits and acceptable lighting and temperature conditions. 

This description indicates the general nature of the tasks and responsibilities required of positions given this classification.  It is not intended as a complete list of specific duties and responsibilities, nor is it intended to limit or modify the right of management to assign, direct and control specific duties of individuals performing this function.  The Company reserves the right to change, modify, amend, add to or delete from any section of this document as it seems, in its judgment, to be proper.  This description supersedes any previous description for this position.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.