Propulsion Manufacturing Test Engineer, Missiles

Hardware FYI; Costa Mesa (CA); Hybrid; USD 146,000 - 194,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity grants

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Anduril Industries is seeking a Propulsion Test Engineer to lead engine test campaigns for production propulsion systems and micro-turbojets. You will own test setups, software, safety, and data capture, collaborating with propulsion development engineers to adapt capabilities as designs evolve.

The role requires hands-on testing with live engine runs, strong Python/Linux skills, and the ability to manage test cell operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in aerospace, mechanical, electrical or related field.
• 3+ years propulsion testing or engine test cell operations.
• Direct experience as Test Director during live engine runs.
• Hands-on micro-turbojet engine testing experience.
• Experience designing, wiring test racks and instrumentation boxes.
• Proficiency writing automated test data acquisition software in Python under Linux/Unix.
• Strong Linux/Unix command line, SSH and networking skills.
• CAN bus interfaces and ECU/messaging experience.
• Sensor selection, wiring and calibration for pressure transducers, thermocouples, load cells and flow meters.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Test Director during engine and micro-turbojet hot-fire runs and manage test stand operations.
• Design, build, and maintain propulsion test hardware infrastructure and racks.
• Author propulsion test plans, procedures, redline limits, and acceptance criteria.
• Develop Python-based test software on Linux/Unix to control engine profiles and record telemetry.
• Implement CAN bus interfacing with ECUs and test stand controllers.
• Calibrate and integrate propulsion test instrumentation and sensors.
• Operate Linux/Unix test systems and perform network debugging.
• Conduct rapid root-cause analysis of anomalies during tests.
• Analyze post-test telemetry and generate detailed test summaries.
• Improve turnaround time, automated checkout, and facility safety.

Skills

Test director

Propulsion testing

Python programming

Linux/Unix

CAN bus

Data acquisition

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace/Mechanical/Electrical

Tools

Siemens NX

SolidWorks

National Instruments cDAQ/cRIO

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

$146,000

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$194,000 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

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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.