Senior Test Operator

Venus Aerospace; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

Stock options

Medical benefits (dental & vision)

Flex-Friday schedule

Unlimited PTO

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Venus Aerospace is seeking a Senior Test Operator in Houston to oversee propulsion and test stand activities, ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable operations. You will coordinate campaigns across disciplines, monitor hardware, and drive continuous improvements to testing processes.

You’ll mentor the operations team, develop SOPs, and collaborate with propulsion, manufacturing, and technician teams to optimize test readiness and performance.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of experience in a hardware testing environment.
• Hands-on knowledge of test components including valves, actuators, switches, and sensors.
• Strong problem-solving, organizational, and detail-oriented skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office or equivalent software.
• Clear communication skills across comms devices while operating consoles.
• Ability to thrive in collaborative and self-driven work settings.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and execute test campaigns, including propulsion hot fires, structural, vibration, thermal testing, and more.
• Operate and monitor test stand systems, propulsion hardware, and instrumentation.
• Lead the execution of test procedures, ensuring compliance with engineering requirements and safety standards.
• Author, review, and refine detailed test procedures and analyze test data for accuracy and performance.
• Collaborate with technicians to troubleshoot instrumentation issues and improve reliability.
• Support setup, upgrades, maintenance, and breakdown of test stands to ensure readiness for future campaigns.
• Act as the key liaison between test, propulsion, manufacturing, and technician teams to ensure smooth test stand operations.
• Mentor the operations team in key technical and operational areas, including fluid flow, data acquisition, procedural development, safety practices, and operational excellence.
• Document processes and collaborate with the team to enhance and standardize Test Operator SOPs, with a focus on training and onboarding for new operators.
• Lead and execute specialized projects independently, ensuring progress without impacting team capacity or delaying ongoing activities.

Skills

Test stand operation

Instrumentation

Data acquisition

Troubleshooting

Safety compliance

Team collaboration

Tools

Valves

Pneumatic actuators/solenoids

Limit switches

Relief valves

Pressure transducers

Thermocouples

Pressure vessels

GUIs/HMIs

Data acquisition systems

NI hardware

Job description

Who We Are:
Venus Aerospace is revolutionizing rocket engine propulsion. With the first generational leap in rocket engine technology since Apollo, our proprietary Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine and Venus Detonation Ramjets deliver historic efficiency and performance across aerospace applications. We are building the next generation of propulsion platforms that enable breakthrough capabilities in space, defense, and commercial high-speed flight. Our team thrives on solving the toughest engineering challenges and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in aerospace. At Venus, we’re looking for bold engineers and innovators who want to make history and redefine the future of propulsion.

The Role: Senior Test Operator

As a Senior Test Operator, you will be at the center of propulsion and systems testing, ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable operations. You’ll collaborate across disciplines and drive continuous improvements in test execution.

What You’ll Get To Do

• Coordinate and execute test campaigns, including propulsion hot fires, structural, vibration, thermal testing, and more
• Operate and monitor test stand systems, propulsion hardware, and instrumentation
• Lead the execution of test procedures, ensuring compliance with engineering requirements and safety standards
• Author, review, and refine detailed test procedures and analyze test data for accuracy and performance
• Collaborate with technicians to troubleshoot instrumentation issues and improve reliability
• Support setup, upgrades, maintenance, and breakdown of test stands to ensure readiness for future campaigns
• Act as the key liaison between test, propulsion, manufacturing, and technician teams to ensure smooth test stand operations
• Mentor the operations team in key technical and operational areas, including fluid flow, data acquisition, procedural development, safety practices, and operational excellence
• Document processes and collaborate with the team to enhance and standardize Test Operator Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), with a focus on improving training and onboarding for new operators
• Lead and execute specialized projects independently, ensuring progress without impacting team capacity or delaying ongoing operational activities

What You Have

• At least 5 years of experience in a hardware testing environment
• Hands-on knowledge of test components: valves, pneumatic actuators/solenoids, limit switches, relief valves, pressure transducers, thermocouples, pressure vessels, GUIs/HMIs, and data acquisition systems
• Strong problem-solving skills, organizational abilities, and attention to detail
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite or equivalent software
• Clear communication skills, including over comms devices while operating consoles (computer workstation)
• Ability to thrive both as part of a collaborative team and as a self-driven individual
• Comfortable working outdoors as needed; able to lift up to 25 lbs; capable of extended desk/computer work

What Will Set You Apart

• Experience with mechanical and fluid system design
• Experience with electrical and mechanical fabrication
• Experience with pressurized gases and liquids up to 6000psia
• Experience with NI hardware (PXIe, cRIO, cDAQ)
• Experience designing and commissioning new test facilities
• Experience with GIT repositories and/or JSON file types
• Experience in an aerospace test environment

Location: On-site in Houston, TX

Benefits: Venus Aerospace employee benefits include a 401(k) plan, stock options, and medical benefits, including dental and vision. We have a flex-Friday flexible schedule, unlimited PTO, and receive professional development opportunities.

ITAR Requirements

This position involves access to technology that is subject to U.S. export controls. Any job offer made will be contingent upon the applicant’s capacity to serve in compliance with U.S. export controls. To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be able to meet ITAR requirements (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State). You can learn more about ITAR here.

Venus Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled/Veterans.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

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For additional information about our Equal Opportunity Employment Policy, please visit our EEOP page.