Test & Verification Engineer III

Department: Engineering

Location: Pinehurst, NC

Employment Type: FullTime

ABOUT KRAKEN KINETICS

Kraken Kinetics designs and manufactures advanced kinetic solutions that enable modern warfighting capabilities for the United States Armed Forces and its allies. We specialize in mission-tailored warheads and firing systems for unmanned and autonomous weapon platforms, delivering production-ready solutions at speed to address urgent national security challenges.

Our team brings decades of specialized Department of War experience across the full lifecycle of kinetic system development—from concept and design through testing, manufacturing, and operational deployment. Built on a foundation of work that helped lead the DoW into the era of kinetic drones, Kraken Kinetics combines commercial agility with deep technical expertise to deliver DEFINITIVE LETHALITY™ when it matters most.

Kraken Kinetics is seeking a Test & Verification Engineer III to develop and execute test activities that support product development, design verification, production acceptance, and product improvement. This role will work across mechanical, electrical, firmware, systems, and production teams to ensure Kraken’s products are tested with increasing rigor, repeatability, and traceability.

The Test & Verification Engineer will help mature Kraken’s test practices by developing test plans, procedures, fixtures, data collection methods, and verification documentation. This role is ideal for an engineer who enjoys hands-on testing and wants to help build the verification discipline required to transition complex defense products from prototype to production.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Develop, refine, and execute test plans and procedures for development, design verification, and production acceptance testing.

• Work with systems engineering to ensure requirements are testable, traceable, and properly verified.

• Design and implement test setups, fixtures, instrumentation approaches, and data collection methods.

• Support electrical, firmware, mechanical, environmental, and system-level testing.

• Collect, analyze, and document test data clearly and accurately.

• Troubleshoot test failures and support root-cause investigations with cross-functional engineering teams.

• Develop test reports, verification records, and supporting documentation for internal and customer-facing needs.

• Improve test repeatability, data quality, fixture usability, and procedural clarity.

• Support production test development and acceptance test process improvement.

• Contribute to the development of Kraken’s verification processes, test readiness practices, and test documentation standards.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline.

• 4+ years of experience in test engineering, design verification, product validation, or related engineering work.

• Experience developing and executing engineering test procedures.

• Familiarity with test equipment such as oscilloscopes, DAQs, power supplies, environmental chambers, sensors, or instrumentation systems.

• Ability to analyze test data and communicate results clearly.

• Experience troubleshooting technical issues across hardware, software, or electro-mechanical systems.

• Strong attention to detail, safety awareness, and commitment to repeatable test execution.

• Ability to work effectively across engineering disciplines in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with defense, aerospace, robotics, electronics, automotive, medical device, or other high-reliability product testing.

• Experience with MIL-STD environmental, EMI/EMC, shock, vibration, thermal, ingress protection, or similar testing.

• Experience with Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, or other data analysis / test automation tools.

• Experience developing production acceptance tests or automated test fixtures.

• Experience supporting range, field, or energetics-adjacent testing environments.

• Familiarity with requirements traceability matrices, verification matrices, or formal qualification documentation.

• Experience with failure analysis, root cause investigation, and corrective action processes.

• Interest in helping build test processes and infrastructure in a growing engineering organization.

Benefits included:

• Generous PTO policy

• Comprehensive medical coverage (80% company-paid for employee + dependents).

• Vision & dental (100% company-paid)

• Short and long-term disability coverage (100% company-paid)

• Generous 401(k) retirement plan

• Company-paid life insurance

• Great teammates and well stocked snacks

LIFE IN MOORE COUNTY, NC (PINEHURST AREA)

Kraken Kinetics is based in Moore County, North Carolina, home to Pinehurst, a nationally recognized destination offering an exceptional quality of life.

Employees benefit from a low cost of living, minimal congestion, and a strong sense of community, with easy access to larger metropolitan areas, including Raleigh-Durham.

Whether you're looking to accelerate your career or put down long-term roots, the Pinehurst area offers a compelling alternative to traditional tech and defense hubs.

We are committed to supporting relocation for the right candidates.

Watch what it’s like to live here:
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EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Kraken Kinetics is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and welcome applicants of all backgrounds.