Hire Test and Evaluation Engineers

Time to shortlist is typically 2 weeks from scoping call. Total time to placement (shortlist through offer acceptance) is typically 3–5 weeks. Sitting T&E engineers rarely leave mid-campaign and cleared candidates carry access-transfer timelines; we manage both as part of the search. If you have a range slot, a qualification start or a milestone review on the calendar, tell us on the call and we prioritize candidates who can start inside the window.

Most US Test and Evaluation Engineers with three to seven years on defense or space systems land between $105K and $145K base depending on metro and program. Lead and manager-level T&E engineers who own a full campaign, carry the range relationship and sign the report typically run $145K–$190K base plus bonus or equity at venture-backed defense-tech and space companies, with clearance premiums on top. These are market bands; we confirm live market bands for your program during scoping. See our test engineer salary guide for adjacent bands.

An Integration and Test Engineer owns the article through integration, environmental test and acceptance on the floor or in the chamber. A Test and Evaluation Engineer owns the campaign that proves the system meets its requirements — developmental and operational test planning, range events, qualification, and the report a program office accepts. On a satellite program the two seats often merge until qualification; on a munitions or UAS program with government test events they are distinct.

A Propulsion Test Engineer owns hot fire and cold flow on a test stand. A Test Engineer owns a specific test — fixture, procedure, data, pass/fail. A Test and Evaluation Engineer sits at the system level and plans the campaign those tests feed, with the acquisition customer in the loop. If the hire has to write the plan, book the range and defend the report, hire the T&E profile.

Developmental test (DT) proves the system meets its specification under controlled conditions and is usually run by the contractor with government witnesses. Operational test (OT) proves it works for real users in a representative environment and is run by an operational test agency with DOT&E oversight on programs that require it. Most T&E engineers we recruit lead DT and support OT; we scope which you need on the call and shortlist accordingly.

No. Most candidates hold a BS in aerospace, mechanical or electrical engineering, and DAU T&E certification or range safety credentials are useful signals we verify when claimed, but reference-verified campaign ownership outweighs certificates. Where the seat runs hazardous operations — live fire, energetics, pressurized systems, flight test — we do weight documented safety qualifications heavily.

Yes. We screen for US-person status where the program requires it, document any active clearance held (Secret, Top Secret, TS/SCI), and verify prior work under ITAR, CUI, DCMA and program-office oversight. We do not shortlist candidates who cannot meet the access requirements on your call.

Yes. Every Test and Evaluation Engineer placement carries a replacement guarantee. Guarantee terms are confirmed in writing at engagement start. The guarantee applies across direct-hire, embedded and RPO engagements alike.

Yes. Multi-hire builds (T&E lead plus developmental and flight test engineers, Integration and Test Engineers, Propulsion Test Engineers and test technicians) route through embedded recruiting or RPO. Directors of test route through executive search. Single retained searches route through aerospace and defense engineering search.