Propulsion Manufacturing Test Engineer, Missiles

Hardware FYI; Ashville, Northern (OH, KY); Hybrid; USD 126,000 - 167,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity grants

Benefits package

Job summary

Anduril Industries is seeking a Propulsion Test Engineer to own the full lifecycle of engine testing for production‑grade propulsion systems. You will design test racks, write Python software on Linux/Unix, and manage live engine runs with a focus on safety and fidelity.

You will collaborate with propulsion development engineers to evolve test capabilities, validate performance, and deliver comprehensive test reports while maintaining stringent security clearances and best practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace/Mechanical/Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 3+ years propulsion testing, hardware-in-the-loop, or engine test cell operations.
• Direct experience as Test Director during live engine runs or hazardous hot‑fire operations.
• Hands-on experience designing, wiring test racks, and wiring instrumentation.
• Proficiency in Python for automated test/control on Linux/Unix.
• Strong Linux/Unix command-line and network troubleshooting.
• Experience with CAN bus interfaces and ECUs for data logging.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Test Director during engine and micro‑turbojet hot‑fire runs, manage test stand operations and abort procedures
• Design, build, and maintain propulsion test hardware and instrumentation
• Author propulsion test plans, run procedures, redline limits, and acceptance criteria with engineers
• Develop automated Python-based test software on Linux/Unix to control engine profiles and telemetry
• Implement CAN bus communications with ECUs, actuators, pumps, and test stand controllers
• Calibrate and integrate propulsion test instrumentation (load cells, sensors, transducers)
• Configure and troubleshoot Linux/Unix test systems using CLI and SSH
• Perform rapid root‑cause analysis on anomalies observed during tests
• Analyze post‑test telemetry and generate detailed test summary reports
• Maintain and scale propulsion test cell facilities for faster turnaround and safety

Skills

Propulsion testing

Test Director

Python

Linux/Unix

CAN bus

Sensors

Root-cause analysis

Telemtry analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace/Mechanical/Electrical Engineering

Tools

Python

Linux/Unix

CAN bus hardware interfaces

Job description

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century’s most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built and sold. Anduril’s family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril is committed to bringing cutting‑edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years.

ABOUT THE TEAM

The Barracuda Manufacturing Team is responsible for rapidly iterating and building cutting‑edge defense hardware for the Warfighter. This responsibility includes everything in the manufacturing value‑chain, including, but not limited to, Design for Manufacturability work, tool design & selection, process creation & optimization, vendor sourcing & interaction, quality planning, and work documentation associated with the hardware that the Manufacturing Engineer owns.

ABOUT THE JOB

As a Propulsion Test Engineer, you will develop, build, and execute the test campaigns that qualify mission‑critical air vehicle propulsion systems and micro‑turbojets for production. In this role, you will take ownership of the physical and software test setups that validate engine performance, reliability, and operating limits, working directly with propulsion development engineers to adapt test capabilities as engine designs evolve.

Every Propulsion Test Engineer is responsible for the full lifecycle of engine testing. You will design and fabricate physical test racks and instrumentation suites, write Python-based test software on Linux/Unix platforms, and control and monitor engine sub‑assemblies over CAN bus networks. Crucially, you will act as the Test Director during live engine and micro‑turbojet hot‑fire runs—owning test cell safety, command execution, real‑time data monitoring, and emergency abort sequences to ensure safe, repeatable, and high‑fidelity testing.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Serve as Test Director during engine and micro‑turbojet hot‑fire runs, managing test stand operations, console communication, go/no‑go criteria, and emergency abort procedures
• Design, build, and maintain propulsion test hardware infrastructure, including instrumented test racks, sensor harnesses, engine test stands, and thrust measurement fixtures
• Author comprehensive propulsion test plans, run procedures, redline limits, and acceptance criteria in close collaboration with development engineers
• Develop robust, automated test and data acquisition software in Python running on Linux/Unix systems to control engine profiles and record telemetry
• Implement and debug CAN bus communications to interface with Engine Control Units (ECUs), smart actuators, fuel pumps, and test stand controllers
• Integrate and calibrate propulsion test instrumentation, including load cells, pressure transducers, thermocouples/RTDs, mass flow meters, and vibration sensors
• Configure, operate, and troubleshoot Linux/Unix test systems using terminal command‑line tools, SSH, and network debugging utilities
• Perform rapid root‑cause analysis (RCCA) on unexpected engine behaviors, instrumentation dropouts, or hardware anomalies observed during test execution
• Analyze post‑test steady‑state and transient telemetry (thrust, fuel flow, turbine inlet temperature, spool response) and generate detailed test summary reports
• Maintain and scale propulsion test cell facilities, driving improvements in turnaround time, automated checkout procedures, and facility safety

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
• Demonstrated experience in managing control room operations, coordinating complex test schedules, and maintaining accurate inventory tracking systems.
• 3+ years of hands‑on experience in propulsion testing, hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HIL) test setups, or engine test cell operations
• Direct, hands‑on experience with micro‑turbojet engine testing (mandatory)
• Proven experience serving as a Test Director, console operator, or lead test engineer during live engine runs or hazardous hot‑fire operations
• Demonstrated experience designing, building, and wiring test racks, instrumentation boxes, and benchtop DAQ systems
• Proficiency writing automated test, control, and data acquisition software in Python within a Linux/Unix environment
• Strong Linux/Unix systems knowledge, including terminal command‑line proficiency, SSH, and network configuration/debugging
• Hands‑on experience with CAN bus hardware interfaces and messaging protocols for control and data logging
• Experience selecting, wiring, and calibrating sensors: pressure transducers, thermocouples, load cells, and flow meters
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Broader turbine, rocket, or internal combustion engine test experience
• Experience with fluid systems, high‑pressure plumbing, fuel delivery lines, valves, and regulators (e.g., Swagelok)
• Familiarity with CAD tools (such as Siemens NX or SolidWorks) for engine test stand and mounting fixture design
• Experience with high‑speed data acquisition platforms (e.g., National Instruments cDAQ/cRIO) and hardware‑level signal conditioning
• Familiarity with AS9100 or aerospace quality standards as applied to flight hardware testing and validation
• Active U.S. Secret or Top Secret security clearance

US Salary Range

$126,000

—

$167,000 USD

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full‑time offers; and are considered part of Anduril's total compensation package. Additionally, Anduril offers top‑tier benefits for full‑time employees, including:

Benefits

At Anduril, we invest in our people. Our comprehensive, competitive benefits package (available at little to no cost to employees) ensures you’re supported in health, recovery, and whatever comes next.

For more information, Explore Our Benefits.

Data Privacy

To view Anduril's candidate data privacy policy, please visit https://anduril.com/applicant-privacy-notice/.

By submitting your application, you consent to Anduril Industries using a third‑party service provider to conduct pre‑employment risk, integrity, and due diligence screening and assessing potential risks as part of your application process. This third‑party service provider provides risk‑intelligence services that may include analysis of sanctions and watchlists, adverse media, public‑record information, and other lawful open‑source or commercial data sources. This third‑party service provider does not act as a consumer reporting agency. Use of this provider helps to ensure compliance with applicable laws and protect technology, intellectual property, and organizational security.