Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
5+ years in hands-on engineering roles with test hardware or DAQ systems.
Experience testing spaceflight hardware through all testing phases.
Proven leadership in end-to-end test campaigns and documentation.
Strong knowledge of instrumentation and data acquisition fundamentals.
Responsibilities
Lead design and fabrication of test rigs and stands for mechanisms and hardware.
Architect data acquisition systems and set team standards.
Produce and review fabrication drawings and wiring schematics.
Drive automation and streamline testing processes for production.
Lead test campaigns from development to qualification, serving as test director.
Integrate and troubleshoot test articles while mentoring engineers.
Synthesize test results into actionable recommendations for design and manufacturing.
Benefits
Mentorship opportunities to shape engineering practices.
Engagement in cutting-edge spaceflight hardware testing.
Collaborative environment with a focus on innovation.
Potential for career growth within a scaling company.
Full Job Description
As a Senior Development Test Engineer at BRL, you will lead the design, build, and operation of the test infrastructure that proves out our hardware. You will own test strategy and execution from subassembly-level development testing through full-scale deployment testing of flight hardware. Your work will span the full development cycle: architecting data acquisition systems, leading the fabrication of test stands and fixtures, and defining the procedures and test campaigns that take a mechanism from a prototype to qualified and acceptance tested spaceflight hardware. You will also mentor other engineers and help shape how BRL tests as we scale.
Key Responsibilities:
Test Design and Fabrication:
Lead the design, fabrication, and instrumentation of test rigs and stands for deployable mechanisms, structural test articles, and motor/actuator hardware.
Architect data acquisition (DAQ) systems, including sensor selection, signal conditioning, and instrumentation layout, and set standards the team builds to.
Produce and review fabrication drawings, wiring schematics, and instrumentation lists for test equipment.
Drive streamlining and automation of testing for acceptance testing and long-term production, and shape BRL's longer-term test capability roadmap.
Test Operations and Data Review:
Lead test systems and campaigns across development, acceptance, and qualification testing, from full-scale deployment tests down to subassembly-level characterization, including serving as test director and leading test readiness reviews.
Stay hands-on with test campaigns, including test article integration, activation, execution, and troubleshooting, while guiding other engineers and technicians through them.
Reduce and review test data, and lead anomaly investigations and root cause analysis with design engineers through closure.
Own the outcome, not just the execution: synthesize test results and performance trends across campaigns into concrete recommendations back to design and manufacturing to mature the hardware. You're expected to catch what the data is telling you before it becomes a program problem, and to have the credibility to make that call.
Procedures and Qualification:
Develop, write, and approve acceptance test procedures (ATPs) and qualification test plans for flight hardware and ground support equipment.
Own qualification approaches and acceptance testing methods, including test levels, margins, and verification methods, in coordination with responsible engineers and program leadership.
Establish and maintain configuration control of test procedures, test data, and as-run documentation in a way that scales with the company.
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
5+ years of experience in a hands-on engineering role designing, fabricating, or operating test hardware, DAQ systems, or test rigs.
Direct experience testing spaceflight hardware through development, acceptance, and qualification testing.
Experience leading test campaigns end to end, including authoring acceptance and qualification test documentation.
Strong working knowledge of instrumentation and data acquisition fundamentals (sensors, signal conditioning, sampling).
Demonstrated ability to take technical ownership and lead in small teams.
Preferred Qualifications:
Master's or PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
Experience serving as test director or test lead for qualification campaigns of flight hardware.
Direct prior experience designing, fabricating, and operating test rigs and stands for mechanisms, structural test articles, motors, or actuators, including DAQ hardware/software and common test instrumentation.
Direct prior experience with large, lightweight deployable structure testing (gravity offload, deployment dynamics, or similar test methods).
Additional Requirements:
Willingness to work extended hours and weekends as necessary to support critical project milestones.
Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or eligible for authorization under U.S. export regulations.
