Test Team Deputy Director

Company Overview

Allen Control Systems (ACS) is a cutting-edge defense startup founded by two former Navy electrical engineers with a proven track record in robotics and software. We are developing an autonomous gun turret using advanced computer vision and control systems to precisely detect, track, and neutralize enemy drones.

With an engineering-first culture, ACS values technical excellence and innovation. Backed by our founders’ successful exits from two previous ventures acquired for a combined $180M in 2022, we are committed to ensuring that the groundbreaking technologies we develop will have a real-world impact.

About The Role

We are looking for a Deputy Director, Operations Testing to serve as the senior execution leader and trusted second-in-command to the Director of Test Operations. You will translate strategic test objectives into disciplined, safe, and executable field operations, owning the daily operating rhythm for test planning, readiness, field execution, live-fire coordination, demonstration support, and continuous improvement. This is a hands-on leadership role at the intersection of engineering, field operations, and defense testing. The successful candidate leads from the front, drives accountability, enforces disciplined execution, and makes sound decisions in high-consequence field environments. Role is on-site in Austin, TX and requires regular travel in support of field test campaigns, demonstrations, and customer events.

What You’ll Do

• Serve as the Director of Test Operations’ primary execution deputy; convert strategic intent into detailed operational plans, schedules, readiness gates, and field execution frameworks; own day-to-day synchronization across engineering, safety, range control, logistics, instrumentation, and external evaluators; act as the Director’s delegate in internal meetings, customer engagements, and government-facing events.

• Lead detailed planning for test events, live-fire operations, and customer demonstrations; develop and manage test plans, operations orders, schedules, risk assessments, and safety documentation; lead operational risk management to ensure hazards are identified, mitigations implemented, and safety controls verified before execution.

• Oversee on-range execution to maintain tempo, safety, communication discipline, and scenario integrity during dynamic field events; provide real-time decision-making during live-fire, autonomous system, and counter-UAS demonstrations; serve as primary on-site interface for commercial customers, U.S. government personnel, and foreign government representatives.

• Integrate across mechanical, electrical, software, autonomy, controls, perception, and weapons engineering disciplines to ensure test events produce credible, traceable, decision-quality data; maintain alignment between customer expectations, engineering readiness, safety requirements, and schedule realities.

• Build scalable test operations processes to support increasing test volume, more complex demonstrations, and concurrent government or customer efforts; lead post-event debriefs and after-action reviews; identify execution bottlenecks and recurring failure modes and drive corrective actions into future planning cycles.

What You’ll Need

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Robotics, or a closely related technical field.

• 8+ years in test operations, system testing, range operations, defense field operations, or similarly complex technical environments; including 3+ years leading teams or coordinating multi-disciplinary field operations in high-tempo, high-consequence conditions.

• Strong technical fluency across complex hardware/software systems; demonstrated ability to translate leadership intent into executable plans, readiness gates, and field execution rhythms while managing competing priorities under pressure.

• Strong understanding of safety processes, operational risk management, range discipline, and compliance requirements in field or high-hazard environments; excellent communication skills for briefing senior leaders and aligning stakeholders during dynamic field operations.

• Active Secret clearance or higher, with the ability to obtain and maintain additional clearances required for classified test environments.

You’ll Stand Out

• Direct experience testing or operating autonomous systems, robotics, unmanned systems, counter-UAS systems, weapon systems, or integrated hardware/software defense platforms.

• Background in counter-UAS, directed energy, kinetic defeat systems, air defense, ground robotics, or advanced weapons programs.

• Prior military service, especially in test, range operations, fires, air defense, special operations support, or unmanned systems roles.

• Experience supporting U.S. government evaluations, foreign military sales demonstrations, or international partner field events; active Top Secret clearance or TS/SCI eligibility.

• Master’s degree in Engineering, Systems Engineering, Robotics, or a related technical discipline.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary

• ACS Equity Package

• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance

• Paid Time Off

Allen Control Systems is an Equal Opportunity Employer, providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Allen Control Systems prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. #LI-AS1