Propulsion Test Technician

Destinus; Payerne; Hybrid; CHF 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Destinus in Payerne is seeking a Propulsion Test Technician to support the preparation, assembly, operation, and maintenance of propulsion test activities at our Payerne test facility.

You will work alongside propulsion test engineers to ensure test benches, GSE, and instrumentation are ready, safe, and functional between campaigns, while maintaining logs and handling energetic materials per safety protocols.

Qualifications

• Vocational training as a Polymechaniker/in or equivalent hands-on qualification.
• Several years of experience in technical support, test operations, or maintenance in aerospace/defence environments.
• Experience with mechanical assembly, fluid systems, and instrumentation connections in a test environment.
• Experience with test bench or GSE maintenance; familiarity with calibration and functional check procedures.
• Ability to read and follow assembly procedures, test plans, and work instructions accurately.
• Experience handling energetic, pyrotechnic, or hazardous materials is a strong advantage.
• Methodical and safety-conscious in safety-critical test environments.
• Fluent in English; French and/or German advantageous for the Payerne site.

Responsibilities

• Prepare test benches, ground support equipment (GSE), and instrumentation for propulsion campaigns; mechanical assembly, connections, and pre-test checks.
• Assemble rocket motors and pyrotechnic devices onto test rigs following procedures and safety protocols.
• Support test operations: monitor systems during tests and assist engineers.
• Perform post-test teardown, inspection, and data collection; document findings and flag anomalies.
• Carry out scheduled and corrective maintenance of test benches, GSE, and facility equipment; maintain maintenance logs.
• Manage test bench operability: track equipment status, calibration, and readiness ahead of tests.
• Handle and store energetic test articles, propellants, and pyrotechnic devices in compliance with safety protocols.
• Maintain a safe, organized test facility in line with regulations and site rules.

Skills

Mechanical assembly

Test operations

Maintenance

GSE maintenance

Safety procedures

Instrumentation connections

Reading procedures

Education

Polymechaniker

Job description

The Destinus engineering team is seeking a Propulsion Test Technician to support the preparation, assembly, operation, and maintenance of propulsion test activities at our Payerne test facility.

Working directly alongside propulsion test engineers, you will be responsible for the hands-on readiness of test benches, ground support equipment, and instrumentation - ensuring that every test is set up correctly, runs safely, and that the facility stays operational between campaigns.

What You'll Do

• Prepare test benches, ground support equipment (GSE), and instrumentation for propulsion and pyrotechnic test campaigns - mechanical assembly, connections, and pre-test checks


• Assemble rocket motors and pyrotechnic devices onto test rigs following assembly procedures, travellers, and safety protocols


• Support test operations: monitor systems during test runs, operate ground support equipment, and assist test engineers throughout the campaign


• Perform post-test teardown, inspection, and data collection; document findings and flag anomalies


• Carry out scheduled and corrective maintenance of test benches, GSE, and facility equipment; maintain maintenance logs and flag items requiring engineering review


• Manage test bench operability: track the status of equipment, calibration, and facility systems; ensure readiness ahead of each test campaign


• Handle and store energetic test articles, propellants, and pyrotechnic devices in compliance with applicable safety protocols and site procedures


• Maintain a safe, organized test facility in line with regulations, site safety rules, and internal procedures

What You'll Need

• Vocational training as a Polymechaniker/in, mechanic, or equivalent hands-on technical qualification


• Several years of experience in a technical support, test operations, or maintenance role in an industrial, aerospace, or defence environment


• Comfortable with mechanical assembly, fluid systems, and instrumentation connections in a test environment


• Experience with test bench or GSE maintenance; familiarity with calibration and functional check procedures


• Ability to read and follow assembly procedures, test plans, and work instructions accurately


• Experience handling energetic, pyrotechnic, or otherwise hazardous materials is a strong advantage


• Methodical and safety-conscious - someone who does not take shortcuts in a safety-critical test environment


• Fluent in English; French and/or German is a strong advantage given the Payerne site