Title:  Manager, Test Engineering

VACCO Industries

Job Description

Job Title:                    Manager, Test Engineering

Department:              Engineering

Reports To:                V.P. Engineering

FLSA Status:             Exempt – 222X

Prepared By:                         D. Neff

Prepared Date:          June 6, 2025

Dept. Approval By:   ___________________________   Date:  ________________

H.R. Approval By:    ___________________________   Date:  ________________

SUMMARY:

The Test Engineering Manager is responsible for managing a team of test engineers to ensure high-quality testing of defense and aerospace components and systems. Requires strong proficiency in data acquisition (LabVIEW preferred), programming skills, and experience in manufacturing and team management. Must have a solid foundation in engineering, with both mechanical and electrical background, and experience with flow systems is preferred. Oversees the development, execution, and continuous improvement of test procedures, equipment, and documentation to meet company and customer requirements.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage test engineering team’s time, assignments, and priorities.

• Work closely with Operations to understand testing needs and scheduling requirements.

• Ensure proper documentation and performance of all test stations and equipment.

• Advise and support team on test methods, technical builds, maintenance, and repair of test stations.

• Plan for department growth by proposing new test resources and equipment.

• Participate in procedure and code reviews to uphold quality and consistency.

• Assist with processing and analysis of test data and troubleshooting components under test.

• Serve as a technical resource and mentor to all test engineers on their projects.

ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES:

• Provide input for preparation of budget requests.

• Perform administrative functions such as reviewing and preparing reports to management on the progress/completion of work, approving expenditures, enforcing rules and making decisions about the purchase of materials or services.

• Develop and implement policies, standards and procedures for the engineering and technical work performed in the department.

• Ensure compliance of company policies, procedures and objectives regarding processes, initiatives and assigned projects.

• Establish procedures and develop improved techniques for maintaining high standards of quality, reliability and safety in product designs and applications. 

• Administer personnel functions including recruitment, hiring, review and approval of job descriptions, selection and placement of personnel and performance evaluations. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Directly supervises employees in the Test Engineering Department in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, training and mentoring employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, or related field) required.

• Minimum 5 years of experience in manufacturing or test engineering, including management/supervisory responsibility.

• Proficiency in data acquisition systems and a wide range of sensors, especially those used in flow systems; LabVIEW systems experience preferred.

• Programming skills preferred.

• Solid foundation in both mechanical and electrical engineering principles.

• Experience with flow systems preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage projects, and mentor engineers.

• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and documentation skills.

• Effective communicator with experience collaborating across operations and engineering teams.

Requires U.S. Citizenship or permanent U.S. residency, and requires the ability to obtain a U.S. Government Security Clearance at the appropriate level.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor's degree (B.S) in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering from a four-year college or university; ten years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. An advanced degree in engineering is highly desirable. 

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, customers, and/or boards of directors.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Ability to understand and apply advanced mathematical concepts/models, to analyze the behavior of physical components and systems, and be competent to derive and interpret these notations using this background knowledge and context in order 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. On occasion may be required to enter production/receiving area where the employee may be exposed to moving mechanical parts and/or fumes or airborne particles. Noise level in plant and/or shop work area is usually moderate.

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.