Senior Manufacturing Test Engineer, Propulsion

Anduril Industries; Ashville (AL); On-site; USD 127,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Health coverage

Job summary

Anduril Industries in the United States is seeking a Senior Propulsion Test Engineer to own the full lifecycle of engine testing, designing and operating test stands, instrumentation, and data acquisition. You will write Python-based test software on Linux/Unix and lead live hot-fire campaigns to validate propulsion systems.

You will serve as Test Director, ensuring safety, defining go/no-go criteria, and coordinating with propulsion development engineers to deliver high-fidelity results and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Electronics, Computer, Mechanical Engineering, or related field or 10+ years of equivalent experience.
• Experience in managing control room operations, coordinating complex test schedules, and inventory tracking.
• 8+ years in propulsion testing, HIL test setups, or engine test cell operations.
• Direct hands-on experience with micro-turbojet engine testing is mandatory.
• Experience as Test Director or lead test engineer during live engine runs or hot-fire operations.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Test Director during engine hot-fire runs and manage test stand operations.
• Design, build, and maintain propulsion test hardware and instrumentation.
• Author test plans, procedures, and acceptance criteria with development engineers.
• Develop Python-based test software on Linux/Unix to control engine profiles and record telemetry.
• Implement CAN bus communications with ECUs, actuators, fuel pumps, and test stand controllers.
• Configure and troubleshoot Linux/Unix test systems, SSH, and network tools.
• Perform RCCA on anomalies and analyze post-test telemetry to generate reports.
• Maintain and scale propulsion test facilities and train junior engineers.

Skills

Test Director

Python scripting

CAN bus interfacing

Data acquisition

Electrical/Mechanical systems

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Electronics/Mechanical Engineering or related

Tools

Python

Linux/Unix

DAQ hardware

CAN bus hardware

ECU interfacing

Job description

ABOUT THE JOB

As a Senior 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
• Train Manufacturing Test Engineers and Technicians in best practices for Propulsion Test and Evaluation criteria

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Electronics, Computer, Mechanical Engineering, or related fields OR 10+ years of advanced knowledge acquired through work experience and/or intellectual instruction in lieu of degree
• Demonstrated experience in managing control room operations, coordinating complex test schedules, and maintaining accurate inventory tracking systems
• 8+ 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: $127,000-$170,000 USD

Additionally, Anduril offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including: 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.

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