Reliability Test Engineer

Aerospace is at a turning point — costs are rising, supply chains are strained, and old ways of building can't keep up. We are breaking that mold. Our team moves fast, thinks big, and combines start-up agility with aerospace expertise to design, build, and scale aircraft in ways the industry has never seen. We leverage automation, AI-driven tools, and a fully connected digital backbone to accelerate innovation and reduce barriers to production.

Here, you won't just take a job — you'll help reinvent how the world flies. If you're ready to solve complex problems, push technology further, and work alongside some of the brightest minds in aerospace, this is your chance to make a real impact.

Role Overview

We are seeking a Reliability Test Engineer to define, build, and execute engineering validation and reliability testing across complex electromechanical systems. This role supports development programs spanning aerospace actuation systems, thermal management systems, power electronics, energy systems, and related high-performance hardware.

This is a hands-on engineering role focused on validating real hardware under real operating conditions. The ideal candidate understands how to translate engineering questions into practical test methods, execute structured validation campaigns, identify failure modes, and generate actionable data that improves product design and reliability.

Note: This is not a pure compliance or certification role. The focus is engineering-driven validation, characterization, durability testing, and failure discovery during product development.

Key Responsibilities

• Test Execution & Strategy: Develop and execute validation and reliability test plans for electromechanical and integrated systems.
• Lab Architecture: Design and build test setups, fixtures, instrumentation, and data collection systems for engineering validation activities.
• Environmental & Stress Validation: Support environmental, functional, durability, vibration, thermal, and lifecycle testing of prototype and production-intent hardware.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Mechanical, Electrical, Embedded Software, and Systems Engineering teams to define validation objectives and acceptance criteria.
• Lab Tool Management: Operate and troubleshoot lab equipment including DAQ systems, power supplies, oscilloscopes, thermal instrumentation, environmental chambers, and electromechanical test equipment.
• Data Automation: Collect, analyze, and interpret test data to identify trends, failure modes, and performance limitations. Develop automated test scripts, data processing tools, or reporting workflows using Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, or similar tools where appropriate.
• Root-Cause Forensics: Support root cause investigations and failure analysis activities across hardware and integrated systems.
• Rapid Prototyping: Support prototype builds, integration efforts, and rapid iteration cycles in a fast-moving hardware development environment.
• Design Reviews: Participate in design reviews and provide feedback related to testability, reliability, and validation strategy.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience: 5-8 years of professional experience in hardware test, validation, reliability, or systems integration engineering.
• Hardware Campaigns: Hands-on experience developing and executing engineering test campaigns on electromechanical systems.
• Instrumentation Mastery: Experience with instrumentation, DAQ systems, sensors, and engineering lab equipment.
• Failure Analysis: Experience troubleshooting hardware failures and supporting root cause investigations.
• Core Fundamentals: Strong understanding of engineering fundamentals including mechanics, thermal systems, electronics, or controls depending on background.
• Startup Agility: Experience working in lab and prototype environments with evolving hardware, with the ability to analyze and communicate technical data clearly.

Preferred Experience

• Experience with environmental or durability testing including vibration, thermal cycling, humidity, or shock testing.
• Experience with aerospace, automotive, robotics, defense, or other high-performance hardware systems.
• Familiarity with standards such as DO-160, MIL-STD-810, IEC, or similar environmental qualification frameworks.
• Experience with Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, or scripting tools for test automation and data analysis.
• Experience supporting HIL, SIL, or integrated system-level test environments.
• Exposure to electric propulsion systems, power electronics, batteries, actuators, or embedded systems.

What We Value

• Engineers who genuinely love building, testing, and debugging real hardware.
• Strong practical engineering judgment grounded in physical reality.
• Hands-on problem solvers who can move quickly while maintaining technical rigor.
• Comfort operating in ambiguity and rapidly evolving development environments.
• Ability to balance speed, coverage, cost, and engineering value in test strategy decisions.
• A collaborative mindset with strong ownership and a bias toward learning through experimentation and data.

Compensation & Location Details

• Salary Band: $110,000 - $125,000 USD
• Final pay will depend on experience, skill level, and other job-related factors.
• Employment Type: Full-Time, On-Site (Irvine, CA)