Mechanical Test Engineer (II-Senior)

Menlo Ventures; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, Vision

401K

Parental Leave

Job summary

True Anomaly in Long Beach, CA, seeks highly motivated Mechanical Test Engineers to design, plan, and execute test campaigns for spacecraft mechanical systems and hardware. You will work closely with mechanical design, systems engineering, and production teams to ensure hardware meets performance, environmental, and mission-critical requirements.

The role involves developing test fixtures, collecting data, dispositioning anomalies, and verifying that hardware meets all specifications in a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering (or related) required.
• Experience in aerospace/defense mechanical test engineering.
• Knowledge of acceptance, functional, and performance testing.
• Experience leading test campaigns and coordinating multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong data analysis, failure analysis, and documentation skills.
• US Citizenship due to government contracts.
• Active Secret or Top Secret clearance preferred.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead test strategies for mechanical systems.
• Author and review test plans, procedures, readiness reports, and matrices.
• Analyze test data, resolve anomalies, and lead root cause investigations.
• Oversee mechanical test campaigns with various testing phases.
• Design, build, and operate mechanical test fixtures and ground support equipment.
• Interface with program leadership, customers, and regulatory bodies.
• Ensure compliance with MIL-STD-810, NASA-STD-5018, and related standards.
• Work onsite at Long Beach, CA.

Skills

Mechanical testing

Aerospace/defense experience

Data analysis

Systems engineering

Technical documentation

Leadership

Communication

U.S. Citizenship

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering

Tools

LabVIEW

Python

MATLAB

CAD

Data acquisition

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 Mechanical Test Engineers to support the design, planning, and execution of test campaigns for spacecraft mechanical systems and hardware. You will work closely with mechanical design engineers, systems engineers, and production teams to ensure mechanical hardware meets performance, environmental, and mission‑critical requirements. In this role, you will develop test plans, execute mechanical system tests, design and build test fixtures and ground support equipment, collect and analyze data, disposition anomalies, and verify that hardware meets all specifications. The position offers an excellent opportunity to contribute to cutting‑edge spacecraft mechanical technologies in a fast‑paced, mission‑driven environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Define and lead test strategies for mechanical system programs, including requirements verification, procedure development, and execution oversight.

• Author and review mechanical test documentation including plans, procedures, readiness reports, and compliance matrices.

• Analyze complex mechanical system test data, resolve anomalies, and lead root cause investigations and corrective actions.

• Oversee mechanical test campaigns including acceptance testing, functional/performance testing, qualification testing, and integration testing, ensuring full traceability to system requirements.

• Design, build, commission, and operate mechanical test fixtures and ground support equipment in support of testing operations.

• Interface with program leadership, customers, and regulatory bodies during design reviews and formal mechanical test events.

• Ensure compliance with industry and military standards for mechanical test planning and reporting.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace engineering, or related technical discipline.

• Years of relevant experience in mechanical systems test engineering for aerospace, defense, or high‑reliability systems in line with engineering level.

• Knowledge of mechanical system test methodologies including acceptance, functional, and performance testing.

• Experience performing mechanical system test campaigns and coordinating multidisciplinary teams.

• Strong background in data analysis, systems engineering, and failure analysis for mechanical hardware.

• Excellent communication, leadership, and technical documentation skills.

• U.S. Citizenship required due to government contracts.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Master’s or higher degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering.

• Expertise with data acquisition, test automation, and scripting (LabVIEW, Python, MATLAB) for mechanical test environments.

• Hands‑on experience with mechanical components including structures, mechanisms, actuators, deployables, and mechanical assemblies.

• Familiarity with CAD tools, finite element analysis, and mechanical design principles.

• Experience with test standards such as MIL-STD-810, NASA-STD-5018, or other aerospace mechanical test specifications.

• Experience working in classified or secure test environments.

• Active Secret or Top Secret clearance.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Base Salary:

• Test Engineer 2: $100,000-$120,000

• Test Engineer 3: $125,000-$155,000

• Senior Test Engineer: $140,000-$175,000

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.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

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.