Senior Test Engineering Developer - Project Lead at General Dynamics - Spider Only – Nepean, Ontario

Build bold. Deliver impact. Win together.

At General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada, we’re not just engineering technology — we’re shaping the future of defence and security. Our teams design and deliver advanced, mission-critical solutions that enhance national security, strengthen communities, and protect the people we serve.

If you’re looking for meaningful work that contributes to a safer, more secure world, you’ll find purpose here. Every day, your skills will directly impact programs that matter.

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Test Engineer to join our team in Ottawa, ON. As a Senior Test Engineering Developer - Project Lead, you will have a duo-mandated role in providing both technical leadership and project management leadership in the developing and supporting of test systems and processes, utilized for product design verification and manufacturing test. You will lead and work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure that products meet quality, reliability, and performance standards.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and plan test‑development projects, providing day‑to‑day direction for Test Engineers and Technologists, and proactively remove obstacles to meet project, program, and business goals.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to the development team.
• Manage performance and development of the project Test Engineering team members, conducting quarterly reviews that clarify roles, set objectives, and support career growth, mentoring, and training.
• Support the creation and execution of mid‑ and long‑term test‑engineering strategic plans and goals.
• Enhance project‑management capability across the team.
• Define project schedules in partnership with the Test Engineering Manager and Program Management, and ensure execution against the approved plan.
• Estimate development budgets for Test Engineering projects and tasks, and monitor spend against the approved budget.
• Set project team goals, establish priorities, and monitor and evaluate results.
• Align the team to departmental standards of excellence and KPIs, ensuring continuous improvement and real‑time performance reporting.
• Develop and implement process‑improvement plans that enhance the automated‑test environment and capabilities.
• Collaborate with Design Engineering to define optimal component, sub‑assembly, and unit‑level test requirements and strategies.
• Assist Engineering and Project teams with new product concept evaluation and development.
• Facilitate alignment of test strategies between Design Verification Test (DVT) and Production Test.
• Initiate and maintain alignment with Production and Engineering to continuously improve product and process capabilities.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate technical and schedule risks associated with test‑development activities.
• Lead the evaluation, recommendation, and procurement of test equipment.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Computer, or Software Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in test engineering or a closely related discipline.
• Proven experience leading engineering teams, including hiring, coaching, and performance management.
• Demonstrated ability to foster a collaborative environment, coordinate technical and non‑technical stakeholders, and drive project success through strong relationship‑building, effective facilitation, and superior written and verbal communication.
• Demonstrated skills in leadership, planning, organization, problem solving, and customer focus
• Extensive experience designing, developing, and deploying Automatic Test Equipment (ATE) hardware and software.
• Proven track record communicating project status and technical impacts to internal and external stakeholders, including senior management and customers.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Project, Agile/Waterfall project‑management methodologies, JIRA, and Statistical Process Control (SPC).

Desirable Skills:

• Strong knowledge of Design‑for‑Test (DFT) principles and test‑strategy planning, with a demonstrated ability to reduce end‑to‑end test costs.
• Experience collaborating with Circuit Card Assembly (CCA) contract manufacturers throughout development and production phases.
• Familiarity with defense‑industry standards (e.g., MIL‑STD, NATO, ITAR) and related compliance requirements.
• Hands‑on experience with Environmental Stress Screening (ESS) equipment and methodologies.
• Working knowledge of Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) concepts as they apply to test data analysis and automation.
• Proficiency with Agile development practices and version‑control tools (e.g., Git).
• Experience with data‑analysis/visualization tools.

The hiring range for this position $105,500 - 132,000. Our goal is to provide a fair and competitive offer based on an assessment of internal equity and your qualifications, including:

• Relevant experience
• Technical and non-technical skills
• Education and certifications

Benefits
As a full-time employee at General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada, you’ll enjoy a competitive total rewards package that supports your professional and personal well-being:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and eligible dependents from day one (no cost), including flexible benefits options (HCSA) emergency travel insurance, and 24/7 virtual care services.
• Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP), onsite fitness facilities, and employee resource groups.
• Defined Contribution Pension Plan with employer contributions after 3 months, RRSP access from day one, and financial planning support.
• Flexible time off including vacation, holidays, parental leaves with top-up options, sick leave, and disability programs.
• Career development through learning platforms, educational assistance, mentoring, and reimbursement of professional memberships.
• Additional perks such as employee discounts, free onsite parking, social clubs, and an annual scholarship program for employees’ children.

Why join us?

• Purposeful Innovation: You’ll work on innovations that genuinely make a difference. You’ll apply advanced thinking, design expertise, and practical problem-solving to help equip military and allied forces with leading-edge systems. You’ll be surrounded by some of the brightest minds in the defence sector, contributing to next-generation technologies in an environment that celebrates creativity, new ideas, and modern solutions.
• Connection: We believe people do their best work when they feel they belong, and their ideas can flourish. Different perspectives, experiences, and ways of thinking help us innovate and grow. Strong relationships with our teammates help us unite, overcome challenges, and deliver the world-class quality we’re known for. Here, we are committed to inclusivity and ensures every individual feels valued, respected, and empowered.
• Challenging and Rewarding Career Pathways: Your career path matters to us. From mentorship and regular check-ins with your leader to educational support, professional certifications, and continuous training, you’ll have the resources you need to thrive. We encourage internal mobility so you can explore different business areas, broaden your skillset, and expand your network. You’ll be working on high-profile, impactful projects that challenge your skills, expand your expertise, and allow you to both learn from mentors and guide others along the way.

Accommodation
If you require accommodation during any stage of the application process, please contact Human Resources via recruitment@gd-ms.ca.

Closing Date
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.