Mechanical Test Equipment Engineer
Published 10.05.2026
Company : Safran Electronics & Defense Job field : Mechanics Location : Irvine , California , United States Contract type : Permanent Contract duration : Full-time Required degree : Bachelors Degree Required experience : More than 8 years Professional status : Professional, Engineer & Manager Salary range : 115000-155000 ITAR : ITAR Controlled position
# 2026-189249
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Published 10.05.2026
Job Description
For us, working at Safran is more than just a job; its a passion. There is a unique opportunity to contribute to the development, qualification, and production of advanced aerospace and defense systems while helping create a safer and more sustainable world.
The Mechanical Test Equipment Engineer is responsible for the design, analysis, fabrication, integration, and sustainment of mechanical test equipment, fixtures, tooling, and automated test systems used to validate aerospace and defense products throughout their lifecycle. This role combines mechanical engineering, manufacturing, machine shop operations, and test automation to develop robust, safe, and repeatable test solutions.
The successful candidate will work closely with Design Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Program Management, and Operations teams to develop custom test fixtures and automated test equipment that support product development, qualification testing, production, and sustainment activities.
Essential Job Functions
- Design and develop mechanical test fixtures, adapters, holding fixtures, and automated test equipment for aerospace and defense products to support acceptance and qualification testing.
- Create detailed mechanical designs using 3D CAD software and review design drawings in accordance with ASME Y14.5 standards.
- Review engineering analyses including stress, fatigue, vibration, and thermal assessments to validate fixture designs.
- Perform engineering analyses including tolerance stack-up and structural assessments to validate fixture designs.
- Develop innovative test equipment solutions that improve safety, reliability, efficiency, repeatability, and throughput.
- Design fixtures and tooling with a strong focus on manufacturability, serviceability, and cost effectiveness.
- Operate and support machine shop activities including machining, fabrication, assembly, and troubleshooting of prototype and production test fixtures.
- Collaborate with external suppliers to manufacture and assemble custom test equipment.
- Select appropriate materials, hardware, bearings, actuators, sensors, and pneumatic and/or electromechanical components for test systems.
- Develop assembly procedures, maintenance instructions, calibration documentation, and test equipment operating procedures.
- Support root cause investigations and corrective actions involving test equipment failures or inaccuracies.
- Participate in design reviews, risk assessments, DFMEA/PFMEA activities, and engineering change management processes.
- Work directly with technicians and operators to commission, troubleshoot, and improve test systems.
- Define equipment requirements based on internal and external customer requirements.
- Integrate mechanical systems with data acquisition, instrumentation, controls, and automated test software.
- Support integration of sensors, motion-control systems, load cells, actuators, and instrumentation hardware.
Job Requirements
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Mechanical Engineering
- Strong understanding of mechanical design principles and engineering fundamentals.
- Ability to create and interpret engineering drawings and GD&T per ASME Y14.5.
- Experience reviewing mechanical analysis including:
o Stress and strength calculations
o Vibration and fatigue analysis
o Mechanism and motion analysis
- Experience in preforming mechanical analysis including:
o Tolerance stack-up analysis
- Knowledge of materials selection and manufacturing processes.
- Understanding of design for manufacturability (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA).
Manufacturing & Machine Shop
- Hands-on experience with manual and CNC machining processes.
- Familiarity with mills, lathes, grinders, drill presses, and fabrication equipment.
- Experience specifying machining operations and reviewing manufacturing drawings.
- Knowledge of welding, sheet metal fabrication, additive manufacturing, and conventional manufacturing techniques.
- Ability to troubleshoot and repair mechanical test equipment.
Test Automation
- Experience with automated test systems and data acquisition platforms.
- Understanding of sensors, instrumentation, signal conditioning, and control systems.
- Experience integrating test software with mechanical and electromechanical systems.
- Knowledge of motion-control systems, hydraulic systems, and electromechanical actuators is desirable.
General
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to work effectively in a cross-functional engineering environment.
- Demonstrated commitment to quality, safety, and continuous improvement.
- Experience with root cause analysis and corrective action methodologies.
- Knowledge of configuration management and engineering change processes.
Physical Demands
- The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.
- Ability to work in both office and laboratory/shop environments.
- Frequent standing, walking, bending, and reaching.
- Ability to lift and carry up to 33 pounds.
- Operation of machine shop equipment and test hardware.
- Ability to safely work around mechanical, hydraulic, and electromechanical test systems.
Work Environment
- Combination of engineering office, machine shop, and laboratory environments.
- Frequent interaction with engineering teams, technicians, machinists, and production personnel.
- Hands-on involvement in fabrication, assembly, testing, and troubleshooting activities.
- Infrequent travel to offsite labs and other Safran sites, including international travel.
Other Requirements
This position requires access to information and hardware subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and other U.S. export control regulation
But what else? (advantages, specific features, etc.)
- Generate technical reports, engineering documentation, and project status updates.
- Provide technical leadership on assigned projects from concept through deployment.
- Ensure compliance with company policies, engineering standards, customer requirements, and aerospace industry regulations.
Education/Experience
- Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering discipline from an accredited institution.
- Minimum 8 years of experience in mechanical engineering, test equipment development, or related technical field.
- Experience in designing and building custom mechanical fixtures, tooling, and test equipment.
- Hands-on machine shop experience including machining, fabrication, assembly, and inspection processes.
- Experience supporting prototype development and manufacturing operations.
Preferred:
- Masters of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering discipline from an accredited institution.
- Experience in aerospace, defense, military, or highly regulated industries.
- Experience developing automated test equipment (ATE).
- Experience with environmental, vibration, structural, or qualification testing.
- Experience supporting production test systems.
- Proficiency in SolidWorks
- Knowledge of NX
- Project leadership experience.
Company Information
Safran is an international high-technology group operating in the fields of aerospace (propulsion, equipment and interiors), space and defense. Its mission is to contribute sustainably to a safer world, where air transport becomes ever more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Present on every continent, the Group employs 110,000 people and generated €31.3 billion in revenue in 2025. Safran holds, either independently or through partnerships, leading global or European positions in its markets.
Safran was ranked second in the Aerospace & Defense sector in TIME magazines ""Worlds Best Companies 2025"" ranking.
Safran Electronics & Defense is an international company with more than 19,000 employees who bring together expertise and team spirit to design high-technology solutions for the aerospace, defense and space sectors. By combining human and technological intelligence, the company develops products and services for both civil and military customers, operating on land, at sea, in the air and in space.
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1833 Alton Parkway CA 92606
Irvine
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100,000
employees worldwide
27
Number of countries where Safran is located
35
business area families