Director of Test

The Director of Test is responsible for leading LEAP's test organization and owning the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the company's rocket engine and stage test programs. This role has overall responsibility for the operation of LEAP's rocket engine and stage test site, including test planning, facility and test stand readiness, test campaign execution, test operations, and post-test activities. The Director also supports structural and environmental testing of launch vehicle hardware performed at LEAP facilities or at external test sites. The Director of Test leads the test operations organization and works closely with Directors of Manufacturing and Launch for continuity of launch vehicle and GSE from conceptual design to recurring build, test, and launch operations.

About LEAP

LEAP is transforming space logistics with rapid-response, mass producible launch solutions designed to eliminate bottlenecks in space access. Leveraging proprietary propulsion technology and modern manufacturing techniques, LEAP delivers scalable and cost-effective, launch solutions for national security, commercial payload deployment, and global point-to-point logistics applications.

Description

Own Core Responsibilities

• Own overall test site readiness and operational capability, including facilities, test stands, GSE, instrumentation, data systems, staffing, procedures, safety systems, and operational support.
• Establish and maintain test operations standards and processes spanning facility startup, test execution, shutdown, post-test recovery, configuration control, and return to service.
• Oversee test stand activation, commissioning, qualification, maintenance, reliability, and operational availability to meet program requirements.
• Lead test risk management, including HAZOPs, FMEAs/FMECA, fault-tree analyses, hazard mitigation, and safe operating practices.
• Own the Test department's operating and capital budgets, workforce planning, staffing, training, and organizational development.
• Partner with Engineering, Facilities, GSE, Manufacturing, Quality, Safety, and Program Management to align test requirements, infrastructure, hardware, resources, and schedules.
• Build a high-performing Test department and culture centered on safety, technical rigor, data quality, accountability, and operational excellence.
• Develop test site readiness criteria, operational procedures, and readiness review packages covering facilities, hardware, GSE, personnel, instrumentation, safety, and data systems.
• Oversee test stand commissioning, qualification, maintenance, reliability, and lifecycle plans, including acceptance criteria and return-to-service requirements.
• Conduct annual and multi-year test operating and capital budgets, staffing plans, and infrastructure roadmaps aligned with company and program requirements.
• Create test campaign plans and schedules defining objectives, resources, dependencies, readiness gates, constraints, and operational risks.
• Perform risk and safety assessment outputs, including HAZOPs, FMEAs/FMECA, mitigations, action closure, and abnormal/emergency response procedures.
• Analyze test data, configuration-control, and traceability standards ensuring test results are accurate, repeatable, and tied to the appropriate hardware, software, facility, instrumentation, and procedures.
• Ensure test performance reporting and post-test reviews cover KPIs, anomalies, root causes, lessons learned, corrective actions, and opportunities for improvement.

Impacts & Outcomes

• Facilities and assets are safe, reliable, available, and ready when required, enabling predictable execution of development, qualification, and production testing.
• Operations consistently achieve program schedule, throughput, capacity, and quality requirements while minimizing avoidable delays and downtime.
• Test readiness is measurable, repeatable, and predictable, with clear standards for determining when personnel, facilities, hardware, GSE, procedures, and data systems are ready.
• Results are accurate, traceable, repeatable, and trusted by Engineering, Quality, Program Management, and company leadership.
• The department identifies and controls operational and technical risks before they become incidents, while responding to anomalies quickly and systematically when they occur.
• Infrastructure, staffing, and capital investments scale ahead of program demand, supporting company growth without creating avoidable capacity constraints.
• The Test department operates as a high-performing, accountable, and scalable capability that continuously improves safety, efficiency, reliability, technical rigor, and operational excellence.

What You Bring to the Team

Required Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 10+ years of experience in aerospace test, propulsion testing, vehicle testing, or another high-energy test environment.
• 5+ years of experience leading test engineering and/or test operations organizations.
• Demonstrated experience operating complex test facilities or test programs.
• Strong understanding of test safety, operational risk management, and configuration control.

Bonus Points

• Experience operating large-scale propulsion test facilities.
• Familiarity with FAA, NFPA, range, or other regulatory requirements applicable to rocket testing.
• Experience with liquid oxygen and hydrocarbon propulsion systems.
• Experience with stage-level testing and integrated vehicle testing.
• Experience building a test organization or test facility from the ground up.
• Experience containerizing mobile fluids systems for remote launch operations.

Compensation

Salary Range: $185,000-$250,000

The estimated salary range for this role reflects various compensation factors. The final offer depends on factors such as work experience, education, training, key skills, and business needs.

In addition, LEAP provides a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees, which includes:

• Equity Program: As an early team member, LEAP’s equity plan gives you a stake in the company’s success, aligning your contributions with long-term growth.
• Retirement Planning: Save for the future with a 401(k) plan that includes competitive company matching.
• Growth Opportunities: Take advantage of a professional development stipend to advance your skills and expertise.
• Flexible Time Off: Enjoy PTO as needed and holiday breaks to help you balance work and life, including two week long company winter breaks and paid leave to support a family member, bond with a new child, or manage your own health needs
• Remote Work Flexibility: Our team operates on a hybrid model. We expect you to work with your team for specific details on work location.
• Health Benefits: LEAP provides comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage at minimal to no cost for employees. Coverage for dependents and HSA are also available.
• Insurance Coverage: We cover basic life and long-term disability insurance, with options to add extra coverage to ensure peace of mind for you and your family.

LEAP is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace in Colorado. Our team brings together exceptionally talented and diverse individuals who are pushing the boundaries of space access and logistics. We welcome all qualified applicants and provide equal consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, Veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law. This includes individuals with a criminal history, in compliance with applicable regulations. We actively encourage applications from minorities, women, Veterans, and people with disabilities. At LEAP, we strive to create a supportive and welcoming environment throughout the hiring process. If you’re excited about making a real-world impact in space technology, we want to hear from you!