Qualification Test Engineer (Drone Application)

TL;DR

Qualification Test Engineer (Drone Application): Develop and execute reliability test plans across drone platforms with an accent on environmental, mechanical, and EMI/EMC testing for rugged airborne systems. Focus on designing custom test fixtures, conducting stress tests like vibration, shock, thermal cycling, and driving root cause investigations.

Location: Onsite in Torrance, California. Requires U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residence due to ITAR/EAR restrictions

Compensation: $110k – $137k, plus equity and bonuses

Company

Builder of high-performance Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) for defense, public safety, and mission-critical applications.

What you will do

• Develop and execute system and component-level reliability and design verification test strategies for electromechanical systems.
• Design and conduct environmental and mechanical stress tests including vibration, shock, thermal cycling, moisture, and fatigue.
• Perform EMI/EMC conducted and radiated emissions testing.
• Create custom test fixtures and use automation/data acquisition for repeatable validation.
• Contribute to risk management (DFMEA/PFMEA) and propose tests for top failure modes.
• Support root cause investigations and corrective actions.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residence required (ITAR/EAR)
• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace, Electrical, or related discipline.
• 3+ years in reliability, product validation, or mechanical test engineering.
• Experience with microprocessor controllers, vibration systems for chambers (high/low temp, humidity).
• Hands-on designing/building custom test setups and data acquisition (EMC/EMI).
• Developing/executing qualification test plans for complex electromechanical systems.

Nice to have

• Familiarity with MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-461, RTCA-DO-160, FCC Part 15, ISTA 3A, ASTM D4169.
• Experience with lightweight aerostructures, vibrations, fatigue analysis.
• SolidWorks, CAD, or digital design tools.
• UAS systems, robotics, autonomous vehicles.

Culture & Benefits

• Collaborate across hardware, software, and manufacturing teams.
• Hands-on work in lab, office, and manufacturing environments.
• Generous equity package and potential bonuses.
• EEO employer; background check required.