Test Program Manager Jobs in South Dakota (NOW HIRING)

We develop mission-critical high-altitude balloon systems that operate in demanding real-world environments and integrate mechanical, structural, aerodynamic, thermal, and flight-critical technologies into operational platforms. Aerostar, a business unit of TCOM, is seeking a Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering Manager to lead the technical execution and strategic direction of our mechanical and aerospace engineering efforts.

This role combines engineering leadership, technical oversight, and organizational coordination. You will lead a multidisciplinary engineering team responsible for the design, analysis, integration, testing, and sustainment of aerospace structures and mechanical systems across the full product lifecycle.

The ideal candidate brings a strong engineering foundation, sound technical judgment, and the ability to align engineering execution with program priorities and long-term business strategy. This role requires someone who can lead both technically and organizationally: driving system-level engineering decisions, managing engineering execution, and ensuring teams deliver high-quality solutions on schedule.

You will work closely with systems engineering, manufacturing, software, electrical engineering, flight operations, and program management to ensure successful delivery of reliable, maintainable, and mission-ready systems.

What You’ll Do:

• Provide technical leadership and vision for mechanical and aerospace system design across multiple programs
• Lead and manage mechanical and aerospace engineering resources, including project planning, staffing, prioritization, execution tracking, and technical coordination
• Develop project estimates, resource plans, schedules, and progress reporting to support program execution and organizational planning
• Support program execution through cost, schedule, technical, and risk oversight
• Guide the development of mechanical architecture, structural designs, aerodynamic concepts, and system integration approaches
• Oversee engineering activities related to structural analysis, thermal analysis, environmental considerations, and mechanical performance
• Prepare and present technical materials for major program reviews, including Preliminary Design Reviews (PDRs) and Critical Design Reviews (CDRs)
• Collaborate with manufacturing, test engineering, and operations teams to ensure designs are producible, testable, maintainable, and operationally effective
• Oversee the integration, testing, analysis, and documentation of mechanical and aerospace systems
• Serve as a technical interface to customers for mechanical and aerospace engineering-related program activities
• Analyze existing systems and recommend improvements, enhancements, and modernization strategies
• Build relationships with external partners, suppliers, and technology providers to strengthen strategic capabilities

What We’re Looking For:

You are an experienced engineering leader with a strong technical background and the ability to lead complex engineering efforts from concept through operational deployment.

You have experience developing aerospace or mechanical systems for demanding operational environments and can guide teams through challenging technical and programmatic problems.

You are comfortable balancing technical leadership with project execution responsibilities, including planning, estimation, staffing, prioritization, progress tracking, and customer communication.

You can operate effectively at both strategic and tactical levels, helping define long-term technical direction while ensuring day-to-day engineering execution remains on track.

You communicate effectively with engineers, program leadership, customers, manufacturers, and operations personnel and can clearly present complex technical concepts during program reviews and customer engagements.

A strong engineering background is required. Experience or education in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or related technical disciplines is highly valued.

You value engineering rigor, accountability, and collaboration and can help teams deliver reliable systems under real-world operational constraints.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, mathematics, or a related technical field, or equivalent experience
• Typically, 7+ years of experience in aerospace, mechanical, or systems engineering
• Prior technical leadership or engineering management experience required

Preferred Experience:

• Aerospace structures and mechanical system design
• Structural, thermal, or aerodynamic analysis
• Mechanical system integration and environmental qualification testing
• CAD and engineering analysis tools
• Design for manufacturability and producibility
• Requirements development and technical documentation
• Program execution in aerospace, defense, or other regulated industries
• Project planning, estimation, scheduling, and resource management
• Experience preparing for and participating in PDR/CDR and other formal technical reviews

How We Work:

We are not a startup, but we operate with ownership and technical rigor.
We are building serious aerospace systems, and we expect strong engineering discipline.

Strong preference for onsite collaboration. Hybrid may be considered. Remote candidates will not be prioritized.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions:

• Physical Requirements: Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, and reach. Reasonable accommodation may be provided for individuals with disabilities.

Working Conditions: Primarily in a standard office environment, with occasional exposure to labs, production areas, flight hardware, and field integration activities, including noise, fumes, moving machinery, and varying temperatures. Occasional travel to field sites within the United States or overseas may be required to support system deployment, integration, testing, or troubleshooting activities.

Benefits: TCOM offers a variety of benefits, including health and disability insurance, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts/HSAs, EAP, tuition reimbursement, parental leave, paid time off (PTO), and company-paid holidays. Programs and eligibility may vary based on hire date, classification, and schedule.