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Operational Test Director Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Shure

Systems Test Engineer

Skokie, IL · On-site

Validate transmitter and receiver operation across diverse frequency bands, power levels, and ... Direct experience with professional wireless audio systems and/or RF products is highly desirable.

Caterpillar

Senior Test & Validation Engineer

Mossville, IL · On-site

$112K - $169K/yr

... Operations & Testing Team located on Caterpillar's Technical Center campus in Mossville, IL. The ... Directing work and establishing collaboration with external labs/universities * Writing test ...

Saigepartners

Test Automation

Champaign, IL · On-site

$95 - $125/hr

This is a direct-hire position. Key Responsibilities * Own and manage technical testing projects ... operational excellence. * Clearly communicate testing results, risks, and recommendations to both ...

Saige Partners

Test Automation

Champaign, IL · On-site

$95K - $125K/yr

This is a direct-hire position. Key Responsibilities: Own and manage technical testing projects and ... operational excellence. Clearly communicate testing results, risks, and recommendations to both ...

Playbook

Director of Operations

Chicago, IL · On-site

$110 - $120/hr

The right person will speak the language of operational rigor, but understands the soul of premium ... Lead pilots and beta tests from site selection to post‑mortem. Do not move to a "Full Rollout ...

fleetpulse.com

Director of Operations

Chicago, IL · On-site

$150 - $210/hr

We are hiring a Director of Operations to own Hardware & Field Operations end to end, the area ... Build an RMA and re-test process that meets enterprise service expectations, starting with the ...

FleetPulse

Director of Operations

Chicago, IL · On-site

$165K - $175K/yr

We are hiring a Director of Operations to own Hardware & Field Operations end to end, the area ... an RMA and re-test process that meets enterprise service expectations, starting with the ...

Honeywell

Advanced EMC Test Engineer

Freeport, IL · On-site

You will report directly to our Director of Engineering and you'll work out of our Freeport, IL ... Our solutions help customers optimize operations, reduce costs, and enhance productivity in complex ...

Honeywell

Advanced EMC Test Engineer

Freeport, IL · On-site

You will report directly to our Director of Engineering and you'll work out of our Freeport, IL ... Our solutions help customers optimize operations, reduce costs, and enhance productivity in complex ...

Rfamec

Embedded Software Test Engineer

Chillicothe, IL · On-site

$75 - $115/hr

... direct hire by our customers, and additional opportunities within our own organization. Embedded ... operation under normal, boundary, and fault conditions. * Support verification and validation ...

Posted today

Saige Partners

Test Automation Engineer

Champaign, IL · On-site

$95K - $125K/yr

This is a direct-hire position. Key Responsibilities: Own and manage technical testing projects and ... operational excellence. Clearly communicate testing results, risks, and recommendations to both ...

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Operational Test Director information

What is an operational test director?

An Operational Test Director is a professional responsible for planning, executing, and overseeing operational testing of systems, equipment, or processes, often within military, defense, or aerospace environments. Their primary role is to ensure that a system or product meets performance requirements under realistic operational conditions. They coordinate test activities, manage resources, analyze results, and provide recommendations based on test outcomes. The position often requires strong leadership, communication, and analytical skills, as well as in-depth knowledge of testing protocols and relevant regulations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an operational test director?

To thrive as an Operational Test Director, you need expertise in test planning, data analysis, and systems evaluation, often supported by a degree in engineering, science, or a related field. Familiarity with test management software, data collection tools, and relevant certifications such as ISTQB or DAU credentials is typically required. Strong leadership, effective communication, and problem-solving skills help coordinate teams and manage complex test scenarios. These skills are crucial to ensure operational effectiveness, accurate test results, and successful project outcomes in high-stakes environments.

What are some common challenges faced by operational test directors during multi-phase testing programs?

Operational Test Directors often encounter challenges such as coordinating across multiple teams, managing tight testing schedules, and adapting to evolving test requirements. Balancing the need for thorough evaluation with limited resources and time constraints can be demanding. Additionally, ensuring effective communication among stakeholders—such as engineers, analysts, and program managers—is crucial for identifying and addressing issues quickly. Successful Operational Test Directors typically excel at problem-solving, prioritization, and fostering collaboration in high-pressure environments.

What is the difference between Operational Test Director vs Test Engineer?

AspectOperational Test DirectorTest Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's degree in engineering or related field; often with security clearancesUsually holds a bachelor's or master's degree in engineering, computer science, or related disciplines
Work EnvironmentLeads testing programs in military, aerospace, or defense settings, overseeing operational testing processesConducts testing, analysis, and troubleshooting in labs or field environments
Employer & IndustryPrimarily employed by defense contractors, government agencies, or aerospace companiesWorks for similar organizations, focusing on product testing and quality assurance

The Operational Test Director oversees large-scale operational testing programs, ensuring systems meet mission requirements, while the Test Engineer focuses on designing, executing, and analyzing specific tests. Both roles require technical expertise, but the Director has broader managerial and oversight responsibilities in complex testing environments.

What are popular job titles related to Operational Test Director jobs in Illinois?

For Operational Test Director jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Operational Test Director jobs in Illinois look for?

The top searched job categories for Operational Test Director jobs in Illinois are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Operational Test Director jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Operational Test Director job openings:

Operational Test Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Operational Test Director job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution.

Systems Test Engineer

Shure

Skokie, IL • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 19 days ago

Job description

Overview
We are looking for a Systems Test Engineer, that will be driving world-class audio performance at Shure!
Shure is seeking a hands-on Systems Test Engineer to champion the performance, reliability, and overall user experience of our industry-leading professional wireless microphone systems. In this role, you will take ownership of end-to-end system quality, ensuring seamless integration across receivers, transmitters, RF performance, audio/DSP processing, firmware, networking, control software, and the broader ecosystem.
Acting as a true customer advocate for sound engineers, performers, and broadcast professionals, you will play a critical role in delivering flawless wireless audio on the world's most demanding stages and live events. This is a unique opportunity to directly influence the performance and dependability of products trusted globally, driving innovation while upholding Shure's reputation for excellence in professional audio.
This position will be onsite (5 days/week) in our Skokie, IL office.
Responsibilities
  • System Verification Strategy & Execution: Plan and execute comprehensive end-to-end testing for Shure's Professional Wireless Microphone Systems, covering transmitter-receiver pairs, RF links, audio pathways, DSP features, network/control interfaces, and broader ecosystem. Develop detailed test plans and test cases simulating real customer workflows in live sound, touring, broadcast, theater, and corporate AV use cases to validate performance, reliability, and user experience under real-world conditions.
  • Quality Ownership & Defect Management: Act as the product quality champion and voice of the customer throughout the development process. Proactively identify, isolate, document, and track defects (with logs, RF spectrum captures, and audio recordings as evidence). Maintain a strong backbone in advocating for the timely resolution of quality issues, clearly articulating the customer impact and ensuring priority fixes. Collaborate with cross-functional teams - Hardware, Firmware, Software (Wireless Workbench & mobile apps), RF Systems, Audio/DSP Engineering, Product Management, and Customer Support - to ensure critical issues are resolved before product release.
  • RF Performance & Wireless Link Verification: Rigorously test RF wireless performance of professional microphone systems in dense RF environments. Conduct spectrum scanning, frequency coordination, intermodulation analysis, and interference simulations to verify system resilience and coexistence with other wireless devices. Validate transmitter and receiver operation across diverse frequency bands, power levels, and regional regulations, including wide-tuning ranges and High Density modes (when applicable). Perform range testing, multipath/droput scenarios, and diversity/Quadversity performance to ensure rock-solid signal stability and coverage in large-scale events.
  • Audio & DSP Feature Testing: Verify audio quality and DSP functionalities across the wireless system. Measure and analyze audio performance metrics (frequency response, noise floor, signal-to-noise ratio, dynamic range, total harmonic distortion (THD), latency, etc.) under various RF conditions to ensure crystal-clear, low-latency audio output. Test microphone acoustics (capsule frequency response, polar patterns, maximum SPL handling) in lab and stage environments. Validate DSP algorithms and processing chains (gain structure, equalization, limiter/compressor behaviors, encryption, tone/key signals for squat switching, monitoring features) to ensure all processing features operate correctly and transparently contribute to superior audio quality.
  • System Integration & Networked Control Testing: Validate the seamless integration of professional wireless systems within networked audio and control ecosystems. Test network-enabled features such as Dante™/AES67 digital audio and network control & monitoring via Wireless Workbench® software, ShurePlus™ Channels mobile app, and ShowLink® remote control (for Axient Digital ADX transmitters) to ensure reliable connectivity, device discovery, firmware updates over network, remote monitoring, and control functionality (e.g., frequency coordination, real-time parameter adjustments, battery monitoring). Simulate multi-system and multi-channel deployments to ensure scalability and interoperability across multiple receivers and transmitters, and robust performance under heavy load or challenging network conditions.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Wireless Communications, Music Technology, or a related field required. A Master's degree is a plus.
  • 10+ years of experience in system verification, quality assurance, hardware testing, software testing, or related disciplines. Experience in professional audio, wireless systems, RF electronics, or similar industries is strongly preferred.
  • Direct experience with professional wireless audio systems and/or RF products is highly desirable.

Technical Expertise
  • Strong knowledge of UHF RF principles, wireless microphone systems, frequency coordination, spectrum management, TV band planning, intermodulation, and wireless deployment best practices.
  • Hands-on experience testing wireless transmitters, receivers, battery systems, RF performance, range, diversity systems, antenna distribution, and diagnosing RF issues such as interference, multipath, and dropouts.
  • Expertise in digital wireless audio systems, including digital modulation, error correction, latency analysis, dropout recovery, audio quality validation, and AES-256 encryption verification.
  • Strong understanding of microphone acoustics, including frequency response, tonal consistency, self-noise, dynamic range, SPL handling, and low-latency audio performance.
  • Knowledge of audio signal processing, including companding, A/D and D/A conversion, gain structure, DSP features, encryption impacts, and maintaining audio integrity.
  • Experience with networked audio and device management, including Dante™, AES67, QoS, device synchronization, remote configuration, firmware updates, and troubleshooting Ethernet/TCP/IP-based audio networks.

Testing & Quality
  • Proficient in functional, regression, exploratory, stress, reliability, and environmental testing.
  • Skilled at designing real-world test scenarios and evaluating complex interactions across RF, audio, and networking domains.
  • Experienced with professional test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, audio analyzers, oscilloscopes, and network analysis tools.
  • Proficient with defect tracking and test management tools (e.g., JIRA), with strong documentation and defect-reporting skills.

Professional Competencies
  • Strong customer focus with a commitment to reliability, performance, and exceptional user experience in mission-critical environments.
  • Passionate about identifying defects, validating edge cases, and proactively improving product quality.
  • Demonstrated ownership, accountability, and commitment to continuous improvement.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly communicate technical findings to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Proven ability to collaborate effectively across Hardware, RF, Firmware, Software, Product Management, and Customer Support teams, using a data-driven approach to drive quality improvements.

Applicants for this position must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Shure will not sponsor applicants for this position for work visas.
WHO WE ARE
Shure's mission is to be the most trusted audio brand worldwide - and for over a century, our Core Values have aligned us to be just that. Founded in 1925, we are a leading global manufacturer of audio equipment known for quality, reliability, and durability. We engineer microphones, headphones, wireless audio systems, conferencing systems, and more. And quality doesn't stop at our products. Our talented teams strive for perfection and innovate every chance they get. We offer an Associate-first culture, flexible work arrangements, and opportunity for all.
Shure is headquartered in United States. We have more than 35 regional sales offices, engineering hubs, distribution centers and manufacturing facilities throughout the Americas, EMEA, and Asia.
Join Shure and Amplify Your Impact. Explore our unique culture and learn the key pillars that define our legacy of excellence.
THE MIX MATTERS
Don't check off every box in the job requirements? No problem! We recognize that every professional journey is unique and are committed to providing an equitable candidate experience for all prospective Shure Associates. If you're excited about this role, believe you've got the skills to be successful, and share our passion for creating an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible work environment, then apply!
PAY TRANSPARENCY
Shure offers a competitive compensation structure that is reviewed annually to attract, hire, and retain the industry's top talent. Base salaries vary based on qualifications, geography, experience, and expertise in each respective discipline. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum base salary for the opportunity. The base salary for this position ranges from $113,000 to $182,000. This position may also be eligible for our incentive pay program, which varies based on individual and Company performance in the year. If your salary expectations do not align, still apply as we are often flexible on the seniority of posted positions. All positions also include an award-winning benefits package.
WE GOT YOU - Our Benefits
At Shure, we prioritize the well-being of our Associates. We offer competitive rewards packages to full-time and part-time Associates working 24 or more hours a week that address physical, mental, financial, and overall well-being. Our benefits include comprehensive healthcare, mental health and retirement savings plans, generous paid time off programs, employee discounts, professional development opportunities, work-life balance initiatives, employee recognition programs, and volunteering/community involvement opportunities. To learn more, check out our Benefits At A Glance.
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