Senior Simulation, Test & Validation Engineer

Apera; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

6% retirement matching

Flexible paid time off

Free office lunches, snacks andRefresh

Access to AI tools and technical subs

Job summary

Apera in San Francisco seeks a Senior Simulation, Test & Validation Engineer to build and lead system-level testing for autonomous cargo aircraft. You will establish testing infrastructure from the ground up, define the validation strategy, and drive hardware-in-the-loop and software-in-the-loop benches, including real-time simulations and fault-injection campaigns.

You will lead engineering teams, coordinate with flight systems, certification and airworthiness activities, and ensure robust

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace, or Computer Engineering
• 5+ years testing complex electromechanical or embedded systems
• Experience building a HIL or system-level test capability from scratch
• FMEA, Weibull analysis and accelerated life testing

Responsibilities

• Own the system test strategy across components, HIL benches, ground and flight testing
• Design and commission HIL test benches with flight computers, actuators, sensors
• Develop SIL and real-time simulation infrastructure with GNC models
• Establish validation frameworks and release criteria for hardware and software
• Lead fault injection, investigations and root-cause using FMEA-driven testing
• Develop environmental, durability and reliability test campaigns based on mission profiles
• Correlate ground test conditions with flight data and develop telemetry-based health monitoring
• Present test evidence at flight readiness reviews and support certification and airworthiness requirements
• Lead and mentor test engineers and technicians

Skills

Python

C/C++

Root-cause analysis

Leadership

GNC simulation

Education

Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace or Computer Engineering degree

Tools

dSPACE

Speedgoat

NI

Job description

The Opportunity

An innovative aerospace company is developing full-scale autonomous cargo aircraft capable of carrying two-tonne payloads over distances exceeding 1,000 nautical miles.

We\'re seeking a Senior Simulation, Test & Validation Engineer to build and lead system-level testing capability, ensuring hardware and software are thoroughly validated before reaching the aircraft. This is a hands-on opportunity to establish testing infrastructure from the ground up, shape the validation strategy and play a key role in advancing next-generation autonomous aviation.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the system test strategy, defining validation requirements across components, HIL benches, ground testing and flight testing.
• Design and commission hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test benches integrating flight computers, actuators, sensors and power systems.
• Develop software-in-the-loop and real-time simulation infrastructure, integrating GNC and flight sciences models.
• Establish validation frameworks and release criteria for hardware and software.
• Lead fault injection, troubleshooting and root-cause investigations using FMEA-driven testing.
• Develop environmental, durability, reliability and life-test campaigns based on operational mission profiles.
• Correlate ground test conditions with flight data and develop telemetry-based health monitoring and anomaly detection.
• Present test evidence at flight readiness reviews and support certification and airworthiness requirements.
• Lead and mentor test engineers and technicians.

What We\'re Looking For

• Degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace or Computer Engineering, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years testing complex electromechanical or embedded systems in aerospace, defence, automotive or similar industries.
• Experience building a HIL or system-level test capability from scratch.
• Ownership of test strategy for a hardware and software programme through to deployment or flight.
• Experience leading environmental, durability or reliability test campaigns.
• Strong Python and C/C++ programming skills.
• Excellent electrical troubleshooting across embedded computers, actuation, power and communications.
• Experience leading engineers or technicians.
• Uncrewed aircraft, fly-by-wire or autonomous vehicle testing.
• Real-time simulation platforms such as dSPACE, Speedgoat or NI.
• FMEA, Weibull analysis and accelerated life testing.
• DO-160 or MIL-STD-810 qualification.
• Iron bird or full-vehicle integration rig development.
• Certification or military airworthiness evidence

What\'s on Offer?

• Competitive salary and meaningful early-stage equity.
• Relocation support, where applicable.
• 6% retirement matching.
• Flexible paid time off.
• Free office lunches, snacks and refreshments.
• Access to AI tools and technical subscriptions.

US Citizens or Green Card holders only, please.

Interested in building the test capability that takes autonomous aircraft from the lab to the sky?