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Test & Evaluation Engineer 3

PDS Defense

Taft, CAContract / Temporary$71–76/hrSeen 1w agoSeen in employer's feed 4 days ago

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At a glance

Compensation
$71–76/hr
Location
Taft, CA
Schedule
Contract / Temporary
Work Authorization
US work authorization required

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Requirements

Credentials this posting asks for.

TS/SCI clearance

Job overview

PDS Defense seeks a Test & Evaluation Engineer 3 in Taft, California, to integrate propulsion test execution requirements and resources for pressure testing and clean room operations. The role collaborates with leadership, propulsion test engineering, and customers, and works under general direction. The posting lists a bachelor’s degree in specified fields, experience in test laboratory operations, propulsion testing, and precision cleaning, plus an active U.S. Top Secret/SCI clearance.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Test Laboratory OperationsPropulsion TestingPrecision CleaningClean Room OperationsPropellant and Chemical Handling

Qualifications

Bachelor of Science in Engineering or Related7+ Years Test Laboratory Operations7+ Years Propulsion Testing4+ Years Precision CleaningActive U.S. Top Secret/SCI ClearanceU.S. Citizenship4+ Years Clean Room OperationsLead, Supervisor, or Manager ExperienceBachelor's+7, Master's+5, or PhD Experience

Benefits

401(k) Match
Paid Time Off

Full job description

Engineering

Test & Evaluation Engineer 3 Taft, CA Posted: 8/20/2026

Job Description

Job ID#:

225093

Job Category:

Engineering

Position Type:

Associate - W2

Duration:

52

Shift:

1

PDS Defense, Inc. is seeking a Test & Evaluation Engineer 3, in Taft, CA. Job ID#225093

Pay Rate: $71 - $76/hr

Job Description:

The selected candidates will integrate Prop Test execution requirements and resources to conduct pressure testing and clean room operations. This role will mainly collaborate with the SSL Leadership & Prop Test Manager, Prop Test engineering, and internal/external customers.

Position Responsibilities:

  • Supports the development and tracking of performance metrics, tracks trends, and works with leadership to develop actions plans

  • Aids in development of a test execution plan that includes resource allocation, top level schedule that tracks usage of equipment and floor space, test support requirements, and near or long-term program milestones

  • Improve overall communication and collaboration through a communication plan that provides status of current test & cleaning activities in relation to supporting upcoming test activities

  • Supports the development, creation, and maintenance of test and cleaning documentation that supports test execution and cleaning requirements

  • Tracks current & upcoming test phases to status cleaning & testing activities to meet program need dates

  • Coordinate/collaborate with propulsion test management & engineers daily

  • Works under general direction

Required Skills:

  • Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited course of study in engineering, engineering technology (includes manufacturing engineering technology), chemistry, physics, mathematics, data science, or computer science

  • 7+ Experience in test laboratory operations

  • 7+ years of experience performing propulsion testing in any of the following regimes: propulsion systems, pressure and fluid systems, and vacuum systems

  • 4+ years of precision cleaning of hardware experience

  • An active U.S. Top Secret/SCI Security Clearance (U.S. Citizenship Required). (A U.S. Security Clearance that has been active in the past 24 months is considered active)

Preferred Skills:

  • 4+ years of clean room operations

  • Experience as a lead, a supervisor, or a manager

  • Propellant and chemical handing/storage requirements

Education / Experience: Bachelor's degree and typically 7 or more years' experience in an engineering classification or a Master's degree with typically 5 or more years' experience in an engineering classification or a PhD degree with experience in an engineering classification.

Benefits offered to vary by the contract. Depending on your temporary assignment, benefits may include direct deposit, free career counseling services, 401(k), select paid holidays, short-term disability insurance, skills training, employee referral bonus, affordable medical coverage plan, and DailyPay (in some locations). For a full description of benefits available to you, be sure to talk with your recruiter.

Job Requirements

Minimum Security Clearance:

Top Secret

Military connected talent encouraged to apply.

VEVRAA Federal Contractor / Request Priority Protected Veteran Referrals / Equal Opportunity Employer / Veterans / Disabled

To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please visit http://www.tadpgs.com/candidate-privacy/ or https://pdsdefense.com/candidate-privacy/

The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

  • The California Fair Chance Act

  • Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance

  • Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers

  • San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

VEVRAA Federal Contractor / Request Priority Protected Veteran Referrals / Equal Opportunity Employer / Veterans / Disabled

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