Hardware Test Engineer

Workplace: On-Site, 5 days per week
Location: Mountain View, CA
Salary: $120-140k

Our client is the first non-military unmanned aircraft company to receive FAA Type Certification (2022) and operate under an FAA Production Certificate. We're seeking a Hardware Test Engineer to build the electrical and mechanical test capability that proves our hardware works — from board bring-up and mechanism life testing to environmental qualification and end-of-line testers for the M3 aircraft, batteries, docks, and portals.

Responsibilities

• Develop V&V test plans for electrical, mechanical, and electromechanical hardware, traced to requirements
• Design and build test fixtures, stands, and HIL rigs, including mechanical fixturing, DAQ, instrumentation, and safety interlocks
• Run mechanical tests: static load, vibration, shock/drop, and fatigue/life cycling on structures and mechanisms (e.g., payload hook, tether drop, dock doors)
• Run environmental tests (thermal, humidity, rain/dust ingress) in-house and with outside test labs
• Instrument hardware with strain gauges, load cells, accelerometers, and thermocouples; characterize propulsion on thrust stands
• Write automated test software for DVT, qualification, and end-of-line production testing
• Support board bring-up and lead failure analysis on test failures, flight-test issues, and field returns
• Transfer production testers to contract manufacturers and improve yield and cycle time

Required Qualifications

• BS in Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics, or Aerospace Engineering (or related)
• 4+ years in hardware test, validation, or qualification across electrical and mechanical systems
• Strong Python skills for test automation, instrument control, and data analysis
• Proficiency with electrical lab equipment (oscilloscopes, DMMs, power supplies, electronic loads) and DAQ systems
• Hands-on experience with mechanical test methods and sensors (strain gauges, load cells, accelerometers, thermocouples)
• Experience designing mechanical test fixtures in CAD (SolidWorks preferred) and building them hands-on
• Working knowledge of CAN, UART/RS-485, I2C, SPI, and Ethernet; comfortable reading schematics and drawings
• Able to lift and move test equipment, fixtures, batteries, and assemblies as required

Preferred Qualifications

• UAV, aerospace, automotive, or other safety-critical regulated experience
• Environmental qualification to DO-160, MIL-STD-810, or IEC 60529 (IP); vibration shaker and thermal chamber operation
• HALT/HASS or accelerated life testing; HIL simulation with ArduPilot/PX4 hardware
• Battery/BMS testing or propulsion (motor/propeller) test stand experience

Salary Range

• $120,000 - 140,000
• The actual salary offered is dependent on various factors including, but not limited to, location, the candidate’s combination of job-related knowledge, qualifications, skills, education, training, and experience

Compliance Notice: Alten USA is a federal contractor subject to the requirements of the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and Executive Order 11246. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

Drug Screening Requirement: As a federal contractor, Alten USA maintains a drug-free workplace. All candidates selected for employment will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening as a condition of hire.