Senior Test Engineer

SENIOR TEST ENGINEER   Reports To: Director of Systems Department: Systems Business Unit (SBU) Location: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia Job Type: Full-time Permanent
SUMMARY: The Senior Test Engineer is responsible for validating the performance, reliability, and integration of our advanced thin line towed array systems used for passive acoustic monitoring in defense and oceanographic applications.   This is a hands-on, hardware-focused role working with technologies such as hydrophone arrays, digitization systems, and embedded electronics. From prototype evaluation through to full system validation, you will be at the center of the SBU's verification and validation efforts, ensuring our products perform reliably under harsh ocean conditions.   You will define and build the testing capability for the Marine Systems portfolio, including tools, software, fixtures, and processes at both component and product level. You will focus on increasing the coverage, efficiency, and accuracy of test activities in design validation, new product introduction (NPI), and production. This includes developing new test procedures and setups, custom hardware fixtures, and software scripts, and supporting their rollout to production and field environments.   RESPONSIBILITIES: ·      Lead end-to-end testing efforts for marine systems, from component validation to full product testing on new and existing hardware. ·      Own system- and subsystem-level test plans and procedures, ensuring clear traceability to product requirements. ·      Actively participate in New Product Introduction (NPI) activities, developing test strategies and providing design-for-test (DFT) feedback to design teams. ·      Design, build, maintain, and operate automated test systems and fixtures that integrate custom hardware, instrumentation, and software. ·      Write, debug, and maintain robust, reusable, and scalable test automation scripts and tools. ·      Perform hands-on electrical and acoustic testing and failure analysis using lab and field equipment such as oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, data acquisition systems, signal generators, power supplies, and amplifiers. ·      Support environmental and durability testing relevant to marine systems, such as pressure, temperature, vibration, and long-duration operation, in collaboration with internal and external labs. ·      Analyze and interpret test data to identify anomalies, root causes, and opportunities for design or process improvement, and present findings clearly to engineering and leadership. ·      Collaborate closely with hardware, software, firmware, and mechanical engineers to understand design intent and ensure product testability across the full system life cycle. ·      Work with production teams to transfer test knowledge, train operators, and ensure that production test setups and procedures are robust, repeatable, and well-documented. ·      Create and maintain clear documentation for test procedures, test reports, test software tools, and calibration records. ·      Participate in design and test reviews, including failure review boards and continuous improvement activities. ·      Occasionally plan, support, and participate in on-water field testing, including test readiness, data collection, and post-trial analysis.   QUALIFICATIONS: ·      Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Physics, or related discipline. · years of professional experience in a test, test automation, or metrology role. Strong candidates with less experience may be considered. ·      Demonstrated experience designing, building, and maintaining automated test systems and tools, including use of Git or similar for version control. ·      Proficiency in at least one relevant programming language for test automation, such as Python, C#, C++, or MATLAB. Experience with other test automation frameworks and instrument-control libraries is an asset.  ·      Hands-on experience with electronic and mechanical test equipment and instrumentation. Experience with hydrophones, acoustic transducers, sonar systems, or underwater acoustics is highly desirable. ·      Experience developing a full stack of internal test tools, from low-level data acquisition and instrument control up to front-end user interfaces suitable for production use. ·      Strong understanding of measurement uncertainty, repeatability, calibration practices, and good metrology discipline. ·      Ability to troubleshoot mechanical and electrical test setups and to work systematically through ambiguous failures. ·      Experience in a highly regulated or quality-focused environment such as defense, aerospace, medical devices, or marine systems is an asset. ·      Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to document clearly and to collaborate effectively with employees at all levels of the organization. ·      Ability and willingness to occasionally travel and participate in at-sea or coastal test campaigns. ·      Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain an industry security clearance when and if requested. ·      Candidates must be legally entitled to work in Canada under relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations.    KEY OUTCOMES:
First 3–6 months ·      Learn the current thin line array designs, test setups, and production constraints, and document a clear verification and validation approach for the first target product line. ·      Deliver initial test plans and manual test procedures for at least one major subsystem or assembly, with clear traceability to requirements. ·      Stand up a basic test data capture and issue tracking flow so that test results and problems are logged in a consistent, searchable way.   6–12 months ·      Design, build, and deploy the first production-ready automated test station for a key subsystem or assembly, and have it in regular daily use. ·      Plan and support on-water trials, including a written test plan and post-trial report with clear recommendations for design or process changes. ·      Start tracking test escapes and significant test issues and use simple trend and root cause analysis to identify test coverage gaps.   12–24 months ·      Extend the verification and validation framework, including standard templates and procedures, across the main marine systems product line. ·      Build and maintain a reusable library of test automation tools and scripts under version control that can be applied across multiple SBU projects. ·      Demonstrate a reduction in repeat or "known" issues by updating test procedures and fixtures based on field and production feedback, supported by trend data and root cause summaries.    Sensor Technology is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status. We encourage you to contact us if you require accommodation in the recruitment process or need this job posting in an alternative format.   While we appreciate all interest, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

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