Data and Controls Systems Test Engineer

True Anomaly; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Health benefits

401K

Parental Leave

Job summary

True Anomaly in Long Beach, CA is seeking Data and Control Systems Test Engineers to design, build, and operate instrumentation, data acquisition, and test control systems for spacecraft testing.

You will work closely with test engineers to define instrumentation requirements, develop data acquisition architectures, design and implement automated test control systems, and deliver high-quality test data for engineering analysis.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering or computer science field.
• Experience in data acquisition, test automation, and instrumentation for aerospace/defense test environments.
• Hands‑on experience with DAQ hardware and software platforms listed.
• U.S. Citizenship required due to government contracts.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement data acquisition systems for propulsion, fluids, mechanical, avionics, and environmental test campaigns, including sensor selection and DAQ architecture.
• Develop automated test control and sequencing software using LabVIEW, Python, MATLAB, or similar platforms.
• Define instrumentation requirements and sensor layouts with test engineers to ensure coverage and traceability.
• Commission, calibrate, and validate instrumentation and DAQ systems prior to test campaigns, including uncertainty analysis.
• Develop real‑time monitoring displays and automated safety interlocks for hazardous test operations.
• Perform post‑test data processing, analysis, and visualization to support engineering disposition.
• Troubleshoot DAQ hardware and software integration issues during tests.
• Establish data management processes including metadata and archival procedures.
• Interface with avionics, software, and systems engineering to integrate telemetry into ground test systems.

Skills

Data acquisition

LabVIEW

MATLAB

Python

C/C++

Test automation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field

Master’s degree in electrical/computer/aerospace engineering

Tools

National Instruments

Keysight

HBM

LabVIEW

MATLAB

Python

Job description

Space is a warfighting domain. True Anomaly seeks those with the talent and ambition to build the technology that secures it.

OUR MISSION

True Anomaly delivers decisive capabilities for space superiority. We build autonomous spacecraft, advanced payloads, mission software, and space-based interceptors — enabling the U.S. and its Allies to secure the space environment and counter threats from the ultimate high ground.

OUR VALUES

• Be the offset.We create asymmetric advantages with creativity and ingenuity.
• What would it take?We challenge assumptions to deliver ambitious results.
• It’s the people.Our team is our competitive advantage and we are better together.

YOUR MISSION

We are seeking highly motivated Data and Control Systems Test Engineers to design, build, and operate the instrumentation, data acquisition, and test control systems that enable spacecraft testing. You will work closely with test engineers across all disciplines to define instrumentation requirements, develop data acquisition architectures, design and implement automated test control systems, and deliver high-quality test data for engineering analysis. In this role, you will architect DAQ systems for complex test campaigns, develop test automation and sequencing software, commission and calibrate instrumentation, troubleshoot hardware and software integration issues, and ensure test data integrity and traceability. This position offers an excellent opportunity to build mission‑critical test infrastructure in a fast‑paced, hands‑on environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design and implement data acquisition systems for propulsion, fluids, mechanical, avionics, and environmental test campaigns including sensor selection, signal conditioning, and DAQ hardware architecture.
• Develop automated test control and sequencing software using LabVIEW, Python, MATLAB, or similar platforms to enable safe, repeatable, and efficient test execution.
• Define instrumentation requirements and sensor layouts in collaboration with test engineers to ensure full test objective coverage and requirements traceability.
• Commission, calibrate, and validate instrumentation and DAQ systems prior to test campaigns, including end‑to‑end checkout and uncertainty analysis.
• Develop real‑time monitoring displays, safety interlocks, and automated abort logic for hazardous test operations.
• Perform post‑test data processing, analysis, and visualization to support engineering disposition and requirements verification.
• Troubleshoot DAQ hardware, instrumentation, control system software, and network connectivity issues during test operations.
• Establish and maintain data management processes including file naming conventions, metadata standards, archival procedures, and configuration control for test data.
• Interface with avionics, software, and systems engineering teams to integrate spacecraft telemetry and command interfaces into ground test systems.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in electrical, computer, aerospace, mechanical engineering, computer science, or related technical discipline.
• Years of relevant experience in data acquisition, test automation, instrumentation, or control systems engineering for aerospace, defense, or high‑reliability test environments inline with engineering level.
• Hands‑on experience with data acquisition hardware (National Instruments, Keysight, HBM, etc.) and software platforms (LabVIEW, MATLAB, Python)
• Strong programming skills in at least one language commonly used for test automation (Python, LabVIEW, MATLAB, C/C++).
• Working knowledge of instrumentation including pressure transducers, thermocouples, load cells, strain gauges, accelerometers, and flow meters.
• Experience with signal conditioning, analog and digital I/O, and measurement uncertainty analysis.
• Strong troubleshooting skills for hardware and software integration issues in test environments.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills with ability to work across multidisciplinary test teams.
• U.S. Citizenship required due to government contracts.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Master's degree in electrical, computer, or aerospace engineering.
• Experience with real‑time control systems, PLC programming, or embedded systems development.
• Familiarity with spacecraft avionics interfaces, telemetry protocols, and command and data handling systems.
• Experience with high‑speed data acquisition, video synchronization, or distributed DAQ architectures.
• Knowledge of Ethernet‑based instrumentation protocols (Modbus TCP, EtherCAT, PROFINET).
• Experience with version control (Git), continuous integration, and software development best practices for test systems.
• Familiarity with hazardous test operations including propulsion testing, high‑pressure systems, or environmental chambers.
• Experience with test data analysis tools and visualization platforms (Grafana, Tableau, custom dashboards).
• Background in systems engineering, requirements verification, or test planning.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Equity + Benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, HRA/HSA options, PTO and paid holidays, 401K, Parental Leave.

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case‑by‑case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job‑related knowledge and skills, education, location, and experience.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Work Location— this a fully onsite position based out of our Long Beach, CA office.
• Work environment—the work environment; temperature, noise level, inside or outside, or other factors that will affect the person's working conditions while performing the job.
• Physical demands—the physical demands of the job, including bending, sitting, lifting and driving.

True Anomaly is committed to equal employment opportunity on any basis protected by applicable state and federal laws. If you have a disability or additional need that requires accommodation, please do not hesitate to let us.