Propulsion Test Engineer — Hands-On, Cross-Discipline

Volund Manufacturing; Huntington Beach (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Volund Manufacturing in Huntington Beach, CA seeks a hands-on Test Engineer who designs, builds, and analyzes propulsion test setups across mechanical, fluids, thermal, electrical, controls, and software domains.

You will design fixtures, assemble hardware, prototype solutions, install instrumentation, and manage data acquisition to quickly uncover root causes and improve performance.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering (or equivalent hands-on experience).
• Fundamental understanding of jet engines Brayton cycle, compressor/combustor/turbine matching, and thrust relationships.
• Working knowledge of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer.
• Real hands-on build experience: Formula SAE, Baja.

Responsibilities

• Design test fixtures, adapters, plumbing, and supporting hardware, from CAD through fabrication.
• Build, plumb, and wire test setups: fuel systems, air supply, valves, pumps, sensors, and harnesses.
• Prototype quick solutions in the shop when the test needs something today.
• Install and check out instrumentation: thermocouples, pressure transducers, accelerometers, speed sensors, and flow meters.
• Configure and maintain the DAQ system, including channel setup, scaling, and live calculated channels.
• Write test plans and procedures, run tests, and keep the test cell safe and organized.
• Analyze engine and component test data, figure out what it's telling you, and present clear conclusions to the team.
• Chase problems across disciplines to the root cause: fluid, thermal, electrical, mechanical, or software.
• Support engine light-off, component characterization, and development testing.

Skills

Maker

Designer

Problem solver

Curious

Resourceful

Fast

Education

B.S. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering (or equivalent hands-on experience)

Tools

CAD

DAQ systems

Job description

Volund Manufacturing in Huntington Beach, CA seeks a hands-on Test Engineer who designs, builds, and analyzes propulsion test setups across mechanical, fluids, thermal, electrical, controls, and software domains.

You will design fixtures, assemble hardware, prototype solutions, install instrumentation, and manage data acquisition to quickly uncover root causes and improve performance.