Test Design Engineer II

Astro Mechanica; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) program and stock options

Self-managed and flexible time-off policy

Flexible work environment

Job summary

Astro Mechanica is seeking a Test Engineer in San Francisco to design and improve test infrastructure for innovative jet engines. The ideal candidate will have 2+ years of hands-on experience with propulsion and mechanical systems, focusing on hardware testing. Responsibilities include designing test stands, developing test plans, and conducting analyses while working closely with engineering teams. The role emphasizes safety and quality in a collaborative work environment with essential in-office expectations. Benefits include comprehensive health insurance and flexible time-off policies.

Qualifications

• 2+ years hands-on experience with propulsion, fluidic, or mechanical systems.
• Experience with hazardous environments and safety mitigations.
• Knowledge of fluid systems hardware and instrumentation.
• Ability to analyze and interpret test data.
• Familiarity with CAD and ability to design simple test hardware.

Responsibilities

• Design test stands and fixtures for test capabilities.
• Conduct analyses for fluid system component performance.
• Develop detailed test plans and instrumentation schemes.
• Document work including P&ID and test procedures.
• Collaborate with propulsion design engineers.
• Conduct hardware testing and analyze results.
• Create and implement test strategies.
• Implement safety best practices.

Skills

Hands-on experience with propulsion systems

Fluidic systems analysis

Mechanical systems knowledge

Test data analysis

CAD design ability

Attention to detail

Tools

Pressure instrumentation

Temperature instrumentation

Load cells

Pneumatics

Job description

ABOUT US:

Astro Mechanica is a vertically integrated aerospace company building a faster, more connected future. Our mission is to democratize high-speed flight by making supersonic travel flexible, accessible, and sustainable. We believe that rapid, on-demand, point-to-point global mobility will become the new standard for moving people and goods across the planet. To achieve this, we are integrating our advanced airframe and engine technologies—which include Duality™, our proprietary dual‑use propulsion system—with a new flight operations model to make supersonic transport as efficient and economical as commercial air travel is today. In the near term, we are developing adaptable, high-speed systems to close aircraft performance gaps for the United States government.

WHO WE ARE:

We’re a team of passionate engineers dedicated to advancing aerospace. We’re generalists with specialist depth, united by a flat structure and a shared obsession with building things that work well. We move fast, stay pragmatic, and let engineering excellence speak louder than hierarchy.

WHO YOU ARE:

Astro Mechanica is looking for a Test Engineer to join our growing team. The ideal candidate is someone who designs, fabricates, operates, and improves the test infrastructure supporting our innovative jet engine and subsystems. Your work at Astro Mechanica will keep test operations running smoothly, while constantly expanding and improving test capabilities. You will work closely with your peers to execute projects to a high level of quality.

In this role, your mission will be to create and operate test infrastructure for hardware research and development. You will have firsthand responsibility that every new design is rigorously tested to ensure quality and performance metrics are met prior to aircraft integration and before leaving the ground. You embody the test‑like‑you‑fly philosophy.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Design test stands, fixtures, and supporting hardware to enable new test capabilities

• Conduct analyses for appropriate fluid system component performance

• Develop detailed test plans, instrumentation schemes, and data collection methods to capture high‑fidelity, decision‑driving data

• Document work (P&ID, electrical schematics, test procedures) while collaborating with relevant stakeholders to ensure stand requirements are met

• Work closely with propulsion design engineers to validate models, characterize performance, and inform design iterations

• Conduct hardware testing and analyze results to verify requirements, identify discrepancies, and determine corrective actions

• Create and implement test strategies to validate and activate your test stand designs

• Implement safety best practices through engineering controls

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

• 2+ years hands‑on experience with propulsion, fluidic, or mechanical systems, including hardware testing and analysis

• Experience with hazardous environments (flammables, high voltage, pressurized systems) and safety mitigations

• Knowledge of fluid systems hardware and instrumentation (pressure, temperature, load cells, relays, solenoids, pneumatics)

• Ability to analyze and interpret test data, and correlate results with analytical models or simulations

• Familiarity with CAD and ability to design simple test hardware, fixtures, or modifications

• Takes initiative for continuous improvement (not just completing assigned tasks)

• Flexibility to work in fast‑paced environment

• Attentive to detail and maintain a high level of quality in all work

PERKS & BENEFITS:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, including Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• 401(k) program and transparent stock option plan
• Self‑managed and flexible time‑off policy, including PTO, paid holidays, and sick time
• Flexible work environment

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

At Astro Mechanica, we highly value in‑office work to foster collaboration and strengthen our company culture. We consider working in the office five days a week an essential part of the employee's role.

Astro Mechanica is an equal opportunity employer. We proudly recruit and hire a diverse workforce and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.