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About the Role

ACS is seeking a Director of Test Operations to lead the test enterprise for its autonomous weapon systems. This role involves setting strategic direction, building the necessary organization, infrastructure, and processes to scale test capabilities, and ensuring systems are rigorously validated. It is a hands-on leadership position at the intersection of engineering, field operations, and defense testing, requiring sound decision-making in high-consequence field environments.

Responsibilities

Own the Test Operations directorate end to end, setting strategic test objectives, defining the operating rhythm, and building planning, readiness, and execution frameworks.
Lead and develop a multi-disciplinary team of test engineers, operations technicians, and drone operators, including hiring, qualification, and career development.
Set and drive the test strategy across all test lines, ensuring test independence to produce honest data.
Build test capability ahead of demand by forecasting and securing necessary infrastructure, instrumentation, range access, and personnel.
Scale test throughput to keep pace with manufacturing and delivery by modeling capacity, identifying bottlenecks, and driving corrective actions.
Represent test to senior leadership, commercial customers, and government personnel, briefing on capability, gaps, results, and risk.
Serve as the primary on-site authority during live-fire, autonomous system, and counter-UAS demonstrations.
Own the safety posture for all test activity, serving as the responsible authority for live-fire operations, risk management, and safety documentation.
Lead post-event debriefs and after-action reviews to drive systemic corrective action into future planning, engineering processes, and manufacturing handoffs.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Robotics, or a closely related technical field.
10+ years in test operations, system testing, range operations, defense field operations, or similarly complex technical environments.
5+ years leading multi-disciplinary teams conducting field operations in high-tempo, high-consequence conditions.
Demonstrated experience building or scaling a test organization, including processes, qualification pipelines, and infrastructure.
Strong technical fluency across complex hardware/software systems.
Proven ability to set direction, translate strategy into executable plans, and manage competing priorities under sustained pressure.
Working proficiency with Linux and the command line.
Ability to read, troubleshoot, and reason about production code (C++ or equivalent) to hold credible technical conversations.
Deep understanding of safety processes, operational risk management, range discipline, and compliance requirements in field and high-hazard environments.
Track record of holding safety standards under schedule and customer pressure.
Excellent communication skills for briefing senior leaders, customers, and government stakeholders, and for aligning cross-functional partners.

Skills

Computer vision
Control systems
Linux
C++

Location

Austin, TX

Work Type

On-site
Requires regular travel

Experience Level

10+ years
5+ years leadership

Education Level

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Robotics, or a closely related technical field.
Master's degree in Engineering, Systems Engineering, Robotics, or a related technical discipline (preferred)

Salary/Compensations

Competitive salary

Benefits

ACS Equity Package
Health, Dental, Vision Insurance
Paid Time Off

About the Company

Allen Control Systems (ACS) is a cutting-edge defense startup founded by former Navy electrical engineers specializing in robotics and software.
We are developing an autonomous gun turret using advanced computer vision and control systems.
ACS has an engineering-first culture valuing technical excellence and innovation.
The company is backed by founders with successful exits totaling $180M in 2022.
We are committed to developing groundbreaking technologies with real-world impact.

Equal Opportunity

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.