Propulsion Test Director - Hot-Fire & Data Acquisition

Anduril; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 146,000 - 194,000; Full time

Job summary

Anduril Industries is seeking a Propulsion Manufacturing Test Engineer to lead test activities for production-ready propulsion systems and micro-turbojets. You will own test setups, develop software for data acquisition on Linux/Unix, and ensure safe, high-fidelity testing of engine sub-assemblies, with direct collaboration with propulsion development engineers.

The role requires hands-on experience with micro-turbojet testing, CAN bus interfaces, and sensor calibration, plus the ability to act

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical or related field.
• 3+ years propulsion testing, HIL, or engine test cell operations.
• Direct experience as Test Director or lead during live engine/hot-fire operations.
• Experience wiring and building test racks, instrumentation boxes, and DAQ systems.
• Proficiency writing automated test, control, and data acquisition software in Python on Linux/Unix.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Test Director during hot-fire runs and manage test stand operations.
• Design, build, and maintain propulsion test hardware infrastructure.
• Write and maintain Python-based test software for engine profiles and telemetry.
• Implement CAN bus interfaces and ECU communications for data logging.
• Develop test plans, run procedures, and acceptance criteria with engineers.
• Calibrate and integrate propulsion test instrumentation (sensors, loads, flow meters).
• Configure Linux/Unix test systems, use SSH, and troubleshoot networks.
• Perform rapid root-cause analysis for unexpected engine behaviors.
• Analyze post-test telemetry and generate detailed test summaries.
• Drive improvements in turnaround time and safety across test cells.

Skills

Test director operations

Python programming

Linux/Unix proficiency

CAN bus interface

Test stand operations

Instrumentation wiring

Engine test cell operations

RTD/thermocouples workflow

Data acquisition and telemetry

Root cause analysis

Education

Bachelors in Aerospace/Mechanical/Electrical

Tools

National Instruments cDAQ/cRIO

Linux command line tools

Job description

Anduril Industries is seeking a Propulsion Manufacturing Test Engineer to lead test activities for production-ready propulsion systems and micro-turbojets. You will own test setups, develop software for data acquisition on Linux/Unix, and ensure safe, high-fidelity testing of engine sub-assemblies, with direct collaboration with propulsion development engineers.

The role requires hands-on experience with micro-turbojet testing, CAN bus interfaces, and sensor calibration, plus the ability to act