Job Type: Full-time/Permanent
Target Start Date: ASAP
Work Location/Structure: El Segundo, CA – 100% Onsite, 5 days/week
About the Opportunity:
Our client, a leader in advanced aviation component manufacturing, is looking for a skilled Senior Mechanical Test Engineer to join their team. This project involves building and owning their prototyping and qualification test lab from the ground up, serving as the founding test authority, and defining all test processes. This is a high-impact, builder-first role that requires a self-motivated professional who can hit the ground running and deliver results quickly in a fast-moving, high-performance hardware environment.
Key Responsibilities & Deliverables:
This role is focused on the successful completion of specific tasks and deliverables. Your responsibilities will include:
- Serve as the founding test authority by building and owning the prototyping and qualification test lab from the ground up.
- Define test processes and design and build custom test equipment to ensure components are tested efficiently and reliably.
- Execute qualification testing to DO-160 standards (thermal, vibration/shaker, sand/dust, cycle testing).
- Work closely with design, build, and production teams to ensure components are tested efficiently, reliably, and in a production-friendly manner.
- Mentor a growing team of junior engineers and machinists, fostering a collaborative and humble culture.
We are looking for someone with a proven track record of successful engagements. The ideal candidate will have:
- Extensive experience in hands-on mechanical test engineering, including fixtures, rigs, and troubleshooting.
- Proven track record of building or standing up a test lab or major test capability from scratch. This isn't a learning role—you need to be a subject matter expert.
- Direct experience with DO-160 qualification testing exposure.
- Ability to design custom test rigs (mechanical + basic hardware/firmware/software).
- Experience in a startup or high-growth hardware company background (SpaceX-like pace strongly preferred), comfortable with ambiguity and minimal structure.
- Demonstrated ability to work autonomously and manage your own time effectively to meet project goals.
- Strong communication skills to provide clear and concise status updates to the project team.
- ITAR eligibility is required for this fully onsite role in El Segundo, CA.
