Hardware Test Engineer – Thermoacoustic Power Systems

Nirvana Energy Systems; Strongsville (OH); On-site; USD 70,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

401(k)

Paid maternity leave

Paid paternity leave

Job summary

Nirvana Energy Systems is seeking a versatile, hands-on Hardware Test Engineer to turn advanced thermoacoustic technology into repeatable, production-ready hardware in Strongsville, Ohio. You will work across engineering, manufacturing, and test teams to ensure safe, accurate results and timely delivery.

This entry-level role exposes you to test-system development, machine design, manufacturing processes, tooling, automation, quality, procurement, and customer requirements, with growth into

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial and Systems Engineering, Engineering Technology Management, or another relevant engineering field.
• Broad engineering foundation spanning machine design, strength of materials, machining and fabrication, programming, measurement, and process improvement.
• Ability to define problems, collect and analyze data, troubleshoot methodically, establish facts, evaluate alternatives, and draw valid conclusions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to collaborate across engineering, manufacturing, quality, procurement, management, vendors, and customers.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and complete high-quality work on schedule while managing multiple assignments in parallel.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Self-motivation, sound judgment, intellectual curiosity, attention to detail, and a willingness to take ownership of unfamiliar technical work.
• Ability and willingness to use AI tools responsibly to improve productivity, decision-making, work quality, and cost efficiency, while critically validating AI-generated outputs.

Responsibilities

• Participate in project engineering, program management, and production planning to support the on-time delivery of thermoacoustic Stirling engine-based hardware.
• Work across engineering, manufacturing, machine-shop operations, procurement, quality assurance, test, and operations.
• Research, select, specify, procure, integrate, and validate test and laboratory equipment for product development and production.
• Develop and refine test methods, procedures, acceptance criteria, data-collection practices, and manufacturing processes to meet internal and customer requirements.
• Configure and operate data-acquisition systems, oscilloscopes, power supplies, cooling systems, vacuum pumps, sensors, instrumentation, and related laboratory equipment.
• Troubleshoot test stands, instrumentation, fixtures, hardware, software, and production processes using structured problem solving and first-principles reasoning.
• Support test automation, data processing, and technical reporting using LabVIEW, MATLAB, PTC Mathcad, or other appropriate engineering tools.
• Partner with drafting and design personnel to create tooling and fixturing models and drawings using appropriate Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).
• Coordinate with Nirvana’s machine-shop resources, purchasing team, and external vendors to procure components, tooling, test-stand hardware, and equipment to required specifications and accuracy.
• Develop, document, qualify, and troubleshoot production methods, including welding, brazing, machining, assembly, inspection, and related special processes.
• Report progress, test results, risks, failures, corrective actions, and recommendations clearly and promptly to team members and management.
• Participate in technical discussions with existing and prospective customers regarding product, interface, validation, and delivery requirements.
• Contribute to continuous-improvement initiatives that strengthen safety, quality, repeatability, throughput, and production readiness.

Skills

Machine design basics

Data analysis

Communication skills

Microsoft Excel/Office

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

LabVIEW

MATLAB

Job description

Nirvana Energy Systems is seeking a versatile, hands-on Hardware Test Engineer to turn advanced thermoacoustic technology into repeatable, production-ready hardware in Strongsville, Ohio. You will work across engineering, manufacturing, and test teams to ensure safe, accurate results and timely delivery.

This entry-level role exposes you to test-system development, machine design, manufacturing processes, tooling, automation, quality, procurement, and customer requirements, with growth into