Hardware Test Engineer, Flight Systems & Validation

Socket.dev; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 145,000 - 225,000; Full time

Job summary

Zipline is seeking a Hardware Test Engineer to own mechanical heavy testing for flight-critical assemblies within Platform 2 Aircraft Structures & Mechanisms. You will develop test methods, equipment, automation, and evidence to prove components meet safety, reliability, and lifetime requirements while balancing speed and rigor.

The role spans test strategy, fixture design, instrumentation, data analysis, and failure investigation.

Qualifications

• Experience designing mechanical test rigs.
• Ability to develop validation campaigns and test plans.
• Strong knowledge of sensors and data-acquisition systems.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain test stands, fixtures, environmental setups, automated rigs, and representative test articles.
• Own end-to-end validation campaigns for major structural components from prototype to deployment.
• Develop verification plans with coverage, traceability, and acceptance criteria for structural strength and mechanism performance.
• Lead failure investigations from tests or flight data to root cause and corrective action.
• Communicate test asset functions, test evidence, risks, and release recommendations with design, systems, and manufacturing teams.

Skills

Test rig design

Test plan ownership

Python data analysis

Root cause analysis

CAD modeling

Test automation

Tools

CAD

DAQ systems

Job description

Zipline is seeking a Hardware Test Engineer to own mechanical heavy testing for flight-critical assemblies within Platform 2 Aircraft Structures & Mechanisms. You will develop test methods, equipment, automation, and evidence to prove components meet safety, reliability, and lifetime requirements while balancing speed and rigor.

The role spans test strategy, fixture design, instrumentation, data analysis, and failure investigation.