About the role:As a Test Engineer on the Fuel Handling System (FHS) team, you will help build and operate the test infrastructure used to validate complex mechanical systems operating in challenging environments-mechanisms, sealing systems, sodium-compatible components, and fluid systems used in fuel handling, cleaning, and storage.
Working closely with senior test and design engineers, you will own day-to-day execution of component test campaigns: building rigs, instrumenting hardware, running cycle tests, capturing data, and chasing down failure modes. You will spend most of your time in the lab with hands on hardware.
This role is a great fit for an engineer who wants to learn quickly, take ownership of real test programs, and grow into a senior test role in a fast-moving hardware environment.
Responsibilities: - Build, instrument, and operate test rigs for mechanical, thermal, and fluid system validation
- Execute test plans on components such as valves, seals, hoists, grapples, and handling mechanisms
- Wire and configure sensors (pressure, temperature, force, position, gas composition) and data acquisition systems
- Run cycle tests, characterize failure modes, and feed findings back to design engineers for rapid iteration
- Perform hands-on fabrication, assembly, and modification of test hardware
- Support sodium exposure testing, cleaning cask development, and mechanism qualification campaigns
- Maintain clean, organized test setups and accurate, traceable test records
- Help write and refine test procedures, checklists, and as-run logs
- Support system integration, full-scale prototype operation, and on-site commissioning as needed
- Travel occasionally to test sites or the reactor installation
Basic Qualifications: - Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field
- 1-3 years of hands-on engineering experience (industry, internship, co-op, or strong project equivalent)
- Experience with mechanical fabrication, assembly, or electro-mechanical testing
- Comfortable wiring up instrumentation and reading basic schematics
- Strong mechanical intuition and willingness to learn by doing
- Comfortable working with ambiguity and high ownership
Preferred Experience: - Experience with fluid systems (valves, seals, gas, vacuum, hydraulics)
- Built custom test rigs or experimental setups in school, prior jobs, or personal projects
- Familiarity with instrumentation and data acquisition systems
- Exposure to high-temperature, hazardous, or chemically aggressive environments
- Hands-on project experience (e.g., Formula SAE, robotics, rocketry, hardware startups, machine shop work)
- Welding, machining, or fabrication skills
Physical: - Comfortable working in a hands-on lab and factory environment
- Ability to lift up to 25 lbs and stand for extended periods
- Willingness to perform hands-on work including assembly, plumbing, wiring, and troubleshooting
RequirementsMust be based in the United States
Must be willing to work on-site at our headquarters in Austin, Texas
What We OfferCompetitive salary starting at $108,000
Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
Paid Time Off
Corporate Gym Membership
Candidates only. No recruiters or agencies, please.
