Mechanical Test Equipment Engineer

Safran Group; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Safran in Irvine is seeking a Mechanical Test Equipment Engineer to design, analyze, fabricate, integrate, and sustain mechanical test equipment and fixtures for aerospace and defense products across their lifecycle.

The role blends mechanical design, manufacturing, and test automation, requiring collaboration with Design, Manufacturing, Quality, and Operations teams to deliver robust, safe, and repeatable test systems.

Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical Engineering from an accredited institution.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in mechanical engineering, test equipment development, or related field.
• Experience designing and building custom mechanical fixtures, tooling, and test equipment.
• Hands-on machine shop experience including machining, fabrication, assembly, and inspection processes.
• Experience supporting prototype development and manufacturing operations.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop mechanical test fixtures, adapters, holding fixtures, and automated test equipment for aerospace and defense products to support acceptance and qualification testing.
• Create detailed mechanical designs using 3D CAD software and review design drawings per ASME Y14.5.
• Review engineering analyses including stress, fatigue, vibration, and thermal assessments to validate fixture designs.
• Perform engineering analyses including tolerance stack-up and structural assessments to validate fixture designs.
• Develop innovative test equipment solutions that improve safety, reliability, efficiency, repeatability, and throughput.
• Design fixtures and tooling with manufacturability, serviceability, and cost effectiveness in mind.

Skills

Mechanical design

3D CAD

Analytical skills

Team collaboration

Root cause analysis

Education

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering

M.S. in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

NX

CMM inspection

Job description

Mechanical Test Equipment Engineer

Job details

General information

Entity

Safran is an international high-technology group operating in the fields of aerospace (propulsion, equipment and interiors), space and defense. Its mission is to contribute sustainably to a safer world, where air transport becomes ever more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Present on every continent, the Group employs 110,000 people and generated €31.3 billion in revenue in 2025. Safran holds, either independently or through partnerships, leading global or European positions in its markets.

Safran was ranked second in the Aerospace & Defense sector in TIME magazine's "World's Best Companies 2025" ranking.

Safran Electronics & Defense is an international company with more than 19,000 employees who bring together expertise and team spirit to design high-technology solutions for the aerospace, defense and space sectors. By combining human and technological intelligence, the company develops products and services for both civil and military customers, operating on land, at sea, in the air and in space.

Reference number

2026-189249

Job details

Domain

Research, design and development

Job field / Job profile

Mechanics - Sizing and simulation of systems and mechanical parts

Job title

Mechanical Test Equipment Engineer

Employment type

Permanent

Professional category

Professional, Engineer & Manager

Part time / Full time

Full-time

Job description

For us, working at Safran is more than just a job; it's a passion. There is a unique opportunity to contribute to the development, qualification, and production of advanced aerospace and defense systems while helping create a safer and more sustainable world.

The Mechanical Test Equipment Engineer is responsible for the design, analysis, fabrication, integration, and sustainment of mechanical test equipment, fixtures, tooling, and automated test systems used to validate aerospace and defense products throughout their lifecycle. This role combines mechanical engineering, manufacturing, machine shop operations, and test automation to develop robust, safe, and repeatable test solutions.

The successful candidate will work closely with Design Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Program Management, and Operations teams to develop custom test fixtures and automated test equipment that support product development, qualification testing, production, and sustainment activities.

Essential Job Functions

• Design and develop mechanical test fixtures, adapters, holding fixtures, and automated test equipment for aerospace and defense products to support acceptance and qualification testing.
• Create detailed mechanical designs using 3D CAD software and review design drawings in accordance with ASME Y14.5 standards.
• Review engineering analyses including stress, fatigue, vibration, and thermal assessments to validate fixture designs.
• Perform engineering analyses including tolerance stack-up and structural assessments to validate fixture designs.
• Develop innovative test equipment solutions that improve safety, reliability, efficiency, repeatability, and throughput.
• Design fixtures and tooling with a strong focus on manufacturability, serviceability, and cost effectiveness.
• Operate and support machine shop activities including machining, fabrication, assembly, and troubleshooting of prototype and production test fixtures.
• Collaborate with external suppliers to manufacture and assemble custom test equipment.
• Select appropriate materials, hardware, bearings, actuators, sensors, and pneumatic and/or electromechanical components for test systems.
• Develop assembly procedures, maintenance instructions, calibration documentation, and test equipment operating procedures.
• Support root cause investigations and corrective actions involving test equipment failures or inaccuracies.
• Participate in design reviews, risk assessments, DFMEA/PFMEA activities, and engineering change management processes.
• Work directly with technicians and operators to commission, troubleshoot, and improve test systems.
• Define equipment requirements based on internal and external customer requirements.
• Integrate mechanical systems with data acquisition, instrumentation, controls, and automated test software.
• Support integration of sensors, motion-control systems, load cells, actuators, and instrumentation hardware.

But what else? (advantages, specificities, etc.)

• Generate technical reports, engineering documentation, and project status updates.
• Provide technical leadership on assigned projects from concept through deployment.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, engineering standards, customer requirements, and aerospace industry regulations.

Education/Experience

• Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering discipline from an accredited institution.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in mechanical engineering, test equipment development, or related technical field.
• Experience in designing and building custom mechanical fixtures, tooling, and test equipment.
• Hands-on machine shop experience including machining, fabrication, assembly, and inspection processes.
• Experience supporting prototype development and manufacturing operations.

Preferred:

• Masters of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering discipline from an accredited institution.
• Experience in aerospace, defense, military, or highly regulated industries.
• Experience developing automated test equipment (ATE).
• Experience with environmental, vibration, structural, or qualification testing.
• Experience supporting production test systems.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks
• Knowledge of NX
• Project leadership experience.

Candidate skills & requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Mechanical Engineering

• Strong understanding of mechanical design principles and engineering fundamentals.
• Ability to create and interpret engineering drawings and GD&T per ASME Y14.5.
• Experience reviewing mechanical analysis including:
  • Stress and strength calculations
  • Vibration and fatigue analysis
  • Mechanism and motion analysis
• Experience in preforming mechanical analysis including:
  • Tolerance stack-up analysis
• Knowledge of materials selection and manufacturing processes.
• Understanding of design for manufacturability (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA).

Manufacturing & Machine Shop

• Hands-on experience with manual and CNC machining processes.
• Familiarity with mills, lathes, grinders, drill presses, and fabrication equipment.
• Experience specifying machining operations and reviewing manufacturing drawings.
• Knowledge of welding, sheet metal fabrication, additive manufacturing, and conventional manufacturing techniques.
• Ability to troubleshoot and repair mechanical test equipment.

Test Automation

• Experience with automated test systems and data acquisition platforms.
• Understanding of sensors, instrumentation, signal conditioning, and control systems.
• Experience integrating test software with mechanical and electromechanical systems.
• Knowledge of motion-control systems, hydraulic systems, and electromechanical actuators is desirable.

General

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a cross-functional engineering environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to quality, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Experience with root cause analysis and corrective action methodologies.
• Knowledge of configuration management and engineering change processes.

Physical Demands

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be