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# Systems Test Engineer

- **Company:** CACI International Inc.
- **Location:** Los Gatos, United States
- **Experience:** Expert
- **Salary:** $103,800.0 - $218,100.0
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** Systems Engineering, Automation of Tests, Bit Error Rate, Code Coverage, Python (Programming Language), NumPy, Requirements Traceability, SciPy, Systems Integration, Performance Testing, Hardware Testing, Software Troubleshooting, System-level Testing, Pandas, Matplotlib, Pytest, Yield Optimization
- **Published:** October 3, 2026
- **Apply:** https://www.dice.com/job-detail/e6262d46-5d2c-44a4-a7fb-3c4ff8bfc04b

## About the Role

* Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Physics, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
 * Ten or more years of experience in systems integration, electro-optical test, communications test, aerospace hardware test, or a related discipline.
 * Expert-level Python skills, including automated test frameworks, instrument control, data acquisition, analysis, and reporting.
 * Strong knowledge of free-space optical communications, including link budgets, acquisition, pointing and tracking, photodetection, modulation, and BER.
 * Expert hands-on experience integrating, aligning, adjusting, and troubleshooting optical bench opto-mechanics.
 * Demonstrated experience developing and executing system-level test plans for DVT, qualification, acceptance, and production.
 * Experience planning and executing thermal-vacuum and vibration testing for electro-optical or aerospace systems.
 * Experience with optical, electrical, mechanical, communications, and environmental test equipment.
 * Strong troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, technical documentation, and cross-functional communication skills.

Desired:

 * Experience with FSO systems for aerospace, defense, UAV, VTOL, satellite, or other demanding applications.
 * Experience with Python tools such as PyVISA, NumPy, SciPy, Pandas, Matplotlib, pytest, or equivalent.
 * Experience transitioning DVT or qualification test methods into production, including yield improvement and test-time reduction.
 * Knowledge of laser safety, fiber optics, RF communications, or hardware-in-the-loop testing.

## Description

The Systems Test Engineer will lead the integration, verification, and validation of free-space optical communication systems across IRAD, DVT, qualification, and production programs. They will take ownership of system-level test strategies and the automated test infrastructure, overseeing all execution from initial prototype bring-up through final release into production. In this role, the engineer will apply expert hands-on experience with optical bench opto-mechanics, electro-optical integration, and communications performance testing to ensure that each system meets its technical and performance requirements. They will plan and carry out environmental testing activities, including thermal-vacuum testing and vibration testing. Additionally, the Systems Test Engineer will serve as a senior technical resource for cross-functional teams, collaborating closely with systems, optics, electrical, mechanical, software, manufacturing, and quality engineering groups., * Lead hardware, software, and optomechanical integration of FSO communication systems.

 * Develop and execute system-level verification plans, DVT procedures, qualification plans, and production test methods.
 * Create Python-based automation for instrument control, data acquisition, test sequencing, analysis, and reporting.
 * Perform hands-on optical bench integration, alignment, adjustment, calibration, beam routing, and troubleshooting.
 * Conduct FSO performance testing, including link margin, received power, acquisition, pointing and tracking, throughput, and bit-error rate.
 * Plan and execute TVAC and vibration testing, including test readiness, instrumentation, functional checks, execution, and post-test analysis.
 * Lead system bring-up, failure investigation, root-cause analysis, and corrective-action verification.
 * Develop test fixtures, harnesses, instrumentation configurations, and automated test procedures.
 * Generate and maintain test plans, procedures, requirements traceability, reports, and anomaly documentation.
 * Transition validated DVT and qualification methods into production while improving test coverage, yield, and test time.
 * Support IRAD efforts by developing new test methods and evaluating emerging FSO technologies.
 * Mentor engineers and technicians in systems test, Python automation, optical bench practices, and environmental testing.