Materials Engineering Mechanical Test Engineer

Comrise; Foster City (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Zoox is seeking a Materials Engineering Mechanical Test Engineer to support materials characterization, failure analysis, and component-level testing in its Materials & Failure Analysis Lab in Foster City, CA. You will perform hands-on mechanical testing, develop custom approaches, and document results to support technical investigations.

The role requires operating Instron UTMs, designing custom fixtures in CATIA, and collaborating with cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or Materials Engineering.
• 3–5 years of mechanical testing, lab, or vehicle development experience.
• Hands-on experience operating Instron or equivalent UTM systems.
• Working knowledge of ASTM and ISO mechanical test standards.
• Proficiency in CAD (CATIA) for fixture design.
• Experience using optical microscopes and cameras for fracture analysis.
• Attention to detail with disciplined lab documentation.

Responsibilities

• Operate Instron UTMs to perform tensile, compression, shear, bend, and fatigue tests.
• Set up and execute ASTM/ISO tests; develop custom test approaches when needed.
• Select load cells, grips, extensometers, and fixturing for accurate testing.
• Design custom mechanical test fixtures in CATIA for in-house or vendor fabrication.
• Prepare specimens using basic cutting, polishing, and fabrication tools.
• Document test conditions, deviations, observations, and findings in technical reports.
• Develop and maintain SOPs; support lab safety and readiness.

Skills

Instron UTM

CATIA

ASTM/ISO

Test data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Mechanical/Materials Engineering

Tools

Optical microscopes

fixtures design

Job description

• Job title: Materials Engineering Mechanical Test Engineer
• Client: HireArt (Zoox)
• Location: Foster City, CA
• Pay - $79/hr
• Duration: 1 Year Contract

Summary:

Company is helping an on-demand, autonomous ride-hailing company find a Materials Engineering Mechanical Test Engineer to support materials characterization, failure analysis, and component-level testing within its Materials & Failure Analysis Lab.

In this role, you’ll perform hands‑on mechanical testing and laboratory analysis, executing standardized ASTM and ISO test methods while developing custom approaches for testing needs that fall outside established standards. You’ll work closely with materials, design, manufacturing, and quality engineers to generate accurate, repeatable test data and support technical investigations.

The ideal candidate is a hands‑on, detail‑oriented test engineer with experience operating Instron or equivalent universal testing machines, designing custom fixtures, and executing standardized mechanical test methods. You bring strong technical judgment and can adapt testing approaches when established methods do not fully address the engineering problem.

As a Materials Engineering Mechanical Test Engineer, you'll:

• Operate Instron Universal Testing Machines (UTMs) to perform tensile, compression, shear, bend, peel, fatigue, and other mechanical tests.
• Set up and execute ASTM and ISO test methods while developing custom or non‑standard test approaches when established standards are insufficient.
• Select appropriate load cells, grips, extensometers, and fixturing to ensure accurate, repeatable testing and reliable data.
• Design custom mechanical test fixtures in CATIA, creating manufacturable designs for in‑house or vendor fabrication.
• Prepare test specimens and articles using basic cutting, polishing, torquing, and fabrication tools.
• Use optical microscopes and cameras to document fracture surfaces and tested components and correlate observed fracture features with test results.
• Analyze test data and document test conditions, deviations, observations, findings, and recommendations in clear technical reports.
• Develop and maintain SOPs and test methods while supporting lab organization, safety, equipment readiness, and cross‑functional engineering needs.
• Travel within the Bay Area for support as needed.

Business driver of role

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering/Materials Engineering or equivalent
• 3-5 years of experience in mechanical testing, laboratory, or Vehicle Development role
• Hands‑on experience operating Instron or equivalent UTM systems.
• Working knowledge of ASTM and ISO mechanical test standards.
• Proficiency in CAD (CATIA) for 3D modeling of mechanical fixtures.
• Experience setting up custom or non‑standard mechanical tests.
• Experience using optical microscopes and cameras for fracture or component inspection.
• Strong attention to detail and disciplined lab documentation habits.
• Ability to adapt quickly in a fast‑paced engineering environment.

Bonus Qualifications:

• Experience with polymers, composites, metals, or adhesive bonds.
• Familiarity with DIC extensometry, strain measurement, or fatigue testing.
• Prior experience in automotive, aerospace, or advanced manufacturing labs.