Forward Deployed Test Engineer

Hardware FYI; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Revel, based in Los Angeles and San Francisco, deploys a hardware-software platform that connects our software to customer test stands, replacing weeks of setup with RevelTest workflows.

As a Forward Deployed Test Engineer, you will travel 30–50% to customer sites across California and beyond, embed with engineering teams, write RevelCode, build dashboards, and train users to adopt our system quickly.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of post-college engineering experience; ME/EE/Physics background is a plus.
• Hands-on experience in test engineering, embedded systems, robotics, aerospace, automotive, or similar hardware domains.
• Hands-on experience running test campaigns, data acquisition, building test infrastructure, or validating hardware.
• Basic proficiency in software and networking.
• High-level system design understanding—how software, firmware, and hardware interact end-to-end.
• Strong communicator who builds trust with customer engineering teams.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot complex issues under pressure in field environments.
• Willingness to travel and work hands-on with cutting-edge hardware teams.
• US citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee (ITAR requirement).

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end deployment of Revel at customer sites (connecting to test stands, sensors, actuators, and existing infrastructure).
• Build and grow deep technical relationships with your customer portfolio and expand the Revel partnership.
• Embed with customer engineering teams onsite; write RevelCode, build dashboards, deliver training.
• Translate field learnings into product feedback with our Head of Product.
• Travel 30–50% to customer sites, primarily California with broader domestic and international travel.

Skills

Test engineering

Embedded systems

Robotics

Aerospace

Automotive

Data acquisition

System design

Troubleshooting

Communication

Travel readiness

Education

ME/EE/Physics background

Tools

PLC

NI software

TwinCAT

CodeSys

Job description

About Revel

At Revel, we are revolutionizing the way the world’s most critical hardware is controlled—across aerospace, automotive, energy, and manufacturing sectors. Our next-generation software stack combines an intuitive command/control interface, a specialized programming language tailored for hardware control, and a high-performance runtime environment. We empower engineers to build, test, and deploy critical systems rapidly, reliably, and safely.

The Role

Forward Deployed Test Engineer

Revel · Los Angeles, San Francisco (Travel 30–50%)

Forward Deployed Test Engineers are Revel's most embedded technical presence with customers. You'll be the person who makes Revel real by connecting our software to a customer's test stand on day one, replacing weeks of manual test setup with a streamlined RevelTest workflow, and building the kind of deep technical partnership that makes customers successful long-term.
You will walk into a customer's facility and be responsible for rapidly identifying pain points, deeply understanding what success looks like for the customer, and executing across domains. Nothing is out of scope. You will help customers be successful by converting test stands over to Revel, leverage industry experience/knowledge to solve technical problems, lead training and education for new users, and find opportunities for expansion. You'll work directly on the hardware that powers critical operations across aerospace, defense, automotive, energy, and manufacturing.

You are the primary customer voice, responsible for articulately translating customer needs into product features. What you hear, see, and do in the field comes back to directly shape our product roadmap.

This is not a support role. It’s a highly technical, high-ownership position at the intersection of software engineering, product development, and business strategy.

What You’ll Do

• Own end-to-end deployment of Revel at customer sites (connecting to test stands, sensors, actuators, and existing infrastructure).

• Build and grow deep technical relationships with your customer portfolio by understanding their hardware, product goals, and expanding the Revel partnership over time

• Embed with customer engineering teams onsite and be responsible for writing RevelCode, building dashboards, delivering training, and connecting customers to the right Revel resources

• Translate field learnings into product feedback with our Head of Product

• Travel 30–50% to customer sites, primarily California with broader domestic and international travel

What We’re Looking For

What matters is strong technical depth, the ability to problem-solve quickly on your feet in unpredictable field environments, and the trust you build with engineering teams.

• Open to candidates at all experience levels, from junior to senior. Preferred 2+ years of post-college engineering experience; background in ME, EE, or Physics is a plus

• Hands‑on experience in test engineering, embedded systems, robotics, aerospace, automotive, or similar hardware domains

• Hands‑on experience running test campaigns, data acquisition, building test infrastructure, or validating hardware

• Basic proficiency in software and networking

• High-level system design understanding—how software, firmware, and hardware interact end-to-end and bridge the gap between theoretical design and real-world operational failures

• Strong communicator who builds lasting trust with customer engineering teams and technical stakeholders

• Proven ability to troubleshoot complex issues under pressure in unpredictable field environments. This person will be able to rapidly determine if erratic telemetry is a firmware bug, a faulty harness, or a physical sensor failure.

• Willingness to travel and work hands‑on with cutting‑edge hardware teams

• US citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee (ITAR requirement)

Bonus Points

• Experience with PLCs, control systems, NI software suite, TwinCAT, or CodeSys. Ideally, you've built or maintained the test infrastructure yourself, not just used someone else's

• Proficiency in Rust or other systems programming languages

• Prior FDE, field engineering, or applications engineering experience or test engineering leadership experience

• Startup experience and passion for aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing, or robotics

Why Revel

• Work on hardware that matters, your customers build aerospace systems, advanced manufacturing lines, and critical infrastructure

• Real ownership—your field work shapes the product roadmap

• Competitive salary, substantial equity, and fast personal growth in a deeply technical career

• Small, ambitious team where your impact is immediate and visible

Join us to redefine what’s possible in software for hardware.

ITAR Requirements
To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.