Job Description
Job Description
Build a Career with Purpose at Advanced Programs Inc. (API)
Since 1969, Advanced Programs Inc. (API) has been developing secure, mission-critical solutions that serve the United States, NATO, and allied partners. As a small, agile company supporting national security initiatives, we offer a tight-knit environment where each employee plays a meaningful role in real-world impact.
Join a team that moves quickly to respond to evolving defense and intelligence challenges—often working directly with government stakeholders to translate urgent needs into engineered solutions. You'll have the chance to make a difference, but you'll also be expected to bring initiative, flexibility, and technical curiosity every day.
Position Summary
We are seeking an experienced Engineering Manager to lead our engineering test lab and provide hands-on technical leadership across new product certification, production testing, and process improvement. This role offers a clear growth opportunity into broader engineering management responsibilities based on demonstrated performance, leadership capability, and organizational needs.
The ideal candidate is a technically strong leader who can drive execution today while developing the people-management and organizational skills required for an expanded leadership role over time.
Key Responsibilities
RF Test Lab Team Management
- Manage day-to-day operations of the RF testing team.
- Develop and maintain detailed budgets & schedules for new product designs, and test lab audit testing.
- Determine required test lab equipment, technical staffing, and training needs to support current and future engineering initiatives.
- Ensure the validity and appropriateness of test methods, procedures, and tools used by testing staff.
- Review and validate team deliverables for technical accuracy, completeness, and compliance with standards.
- Ensure lab operates within security and other regulatory requirements. Support related audits and inspections.
- Coordinate test activities with the manufacturing and quality assurance teams, along with other managers, departments, and stakeholders.
- Communicate project status, risks, and results to leadership and cross-functional teams.
Leadership & People Management (Growing Responsibility)
- Hire, manage, and mentor technical staff.
- Provide technical direction, coaching, and feedback to lab personnel.
- Support employee training and professional development path aligned with organizational needs.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Travel
- Travel as required to other company sites, support customer and regulatory agency meetings. Visit government sites to support engineering programs in coordination with other locations (approximately 3–4 trips per year).
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering with 5-10 years of engineering management experience.
- Strong experience in engineering, product development, and testing environments.
- Demonstrated ability to develop engineering plans, schedules, and budgets.
- Proven leadership skills with the ability to supervise and develop technical staff.
- Strong communication, organizational, and coordination skills.
- Security Clearance: Active DoD clearance preferred; eligibility to obtain clearance required.
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior experience managing a large group of engineers, technicians, and/or RF test lab personnel.
- TEMPEST or RF design experience.
- Certified TEMPEST Professional (CTPI or CTPII).
- Experience working across multiple engineering/design locations.
- Experience with Microsoft Project Scheduler.
- Experience with NetSuite MRP.
- Background in regulated, high-reliability, or security-sensitive environments.
What Success Looks Like
- TEMPEST Test lab operations are safe, efficient, and technically sound.
- Tasking is completed on schedule and within budget.
- Security and regulatory requirements are continually monitored, met and reported.
- Technical staff are well-supported, trained, and produce high-quality work.
- Lab operations are continually subject to process improvement and automation.
API is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.
The likely salary range for this position is $150,000 to $170,000. This is not, however, a guarantee of compensation or salary. Rather, salary will be set based on experience, geographic location and possibly contractual requirements and could fall outside of this range.
The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, API considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.