Mechanical Test Engineer

Stress Engineering Services • Houston, TX

23h • Onsite

About The Position

Stress Engineering Services (SES) is hiring a Mechanical Test Engineer to turn complex engineering questions into meaningful data through hands-on testing, data analysis, and real-world experimentation. The role combines mechanical engineering fundamentals with testing and system operation in an industrial laboratory environment. The engineer plans and executes custom tests, designs fixtures and methods, instruments hardware, collects data, and translates results into actionable insights. Projects may involve transportation systems, aerospace components, oil and gas equipment, industrial processes, mechanical and electrical systems, and engineering materials.

Successful candidates are adaptable, hands-on problem solvers who can work independently and collaboratively, safely navigate a heavy industrial laboratory, manage competing priorities, and communicate technical information to colleagues and clients. Depending on experience, the engineer may lead projects, work directly with clients, and guide other engineers and technicians. The position requires a qualifying U.S. Person under ITAR because of access to controlled technical data.

SES is an employee-owned engineering consulting firm that works across energy, aerospace, consumer products, medical, and other sectors. It emphasizes technical excellence, accountability, collaboration, employee ownership, professional growth, and meaningful engineering work. Compensation is described as competitive and aligned with experience and expertise.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Materials Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Demonstrated experience planning, executing, and documenting engineering tests in laboratory, field, or industrial environments.
• Strong understanding of mechanical systems, engineering fundamentals, and experimental methods.
• Knowledge of material properties, behavior, and failure mechanisms of metals, polymers, composites, and other engineering materials under mechanical, thermal, and environmental loading.
• Experience developing test plans, procedures, protocols, and reports suitable for verification, validation, qualification, or regulatory environments.
• Experience validating test methods for repeatability, reproducibility, and measurement accuracy.
• Familiarity with instrumentation, data acquisition systems, sensors, and test-control hardware or software.
• Ability to analyze and interpret experimental data and communicate findings through clear written reports and presentations.
• Working knowledge of statistical analysis techniques and uncertainty considerations in testing.
• Familiarity with hazard and risk assessment methods such as FMEA, Fault Tree Analysis (FTA), or similar tools.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and hands-on approach to engineering problem solving.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced consulting environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including explaining technical concepts to engineers and clients.
• Self-motivation and ability to work independently while collaborating across multidisciplinary teams.
• Commitment to safety, quality, and technical excellence.
• Must qualify as a U.S. Person under ITAR, as defined in 22 CFR § 120.62.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in Engineering, or at least 5 years of relevant testing, validation, or product development experience.
• Experience testing electro-mechanical systems, transportation systems, aerospace components, energy equipment, industrial machinery, or engineered products.
• Experience designing test fixtures, test equipment, or custom measurement systems.
• Background in regulated or safety-critical industries such as aerospace, transportation, medical devices, oil and gas, or industrial manufacturing.
• Experience troubleshooting complex mechanical or electro-mechanical systems.
• Knowledge of strain measurement, pressure systems, vibration testing, environmental testing, fatigue testing, or materials characterization.
• Experience with LabVIEW, MATLAB, Python, DAQ systems, PLCs, or similar engineering tools.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license, or desire and qualifications to pursue PE licensure.
• Experience taking a test program from concept through execution and final reporting.
• Experience leading projects, interacting directly with clients, and mentoring engineers or technicians.
• Curiosity, adaptability, and enthusiasm for solving engineering challenges through testing and data-driven analysis.

Responsibilities

• Plan, execute, and document engineering tests in laboratory, field, or industrial environments.
• Develop custom tests, test fixtures, methods, procedures, protocols, and reports.
• Instrument hardware and operate instrumentation, data acquisition systems, sensors, and test-control hardware or software.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret experimental data, including statistical analysis and measurement uncertainty considerations.
• Communicate test findings through clear written reports, presentations, and verbal explanations to teammates and clients.
• Manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced consulting environment while maintaining safety and quality.
• Depending on experience, lead projects, interface directly with clients, and guide engineers or technicians.
• Assess mechanical systems and engineering materials, including their properties, behavior, and failure mechanisms under mechanical, thermal, and environmental loading.

Benefits

• Employee ownership and participation in the company's ESOP.
• Medical coverage.
• Dental coverage.
• Vision coverage.
• Paid time off.
• Paid holidays.
• Professional development, including opportunities to progress toward PE licensure.
• Competitive compensation aligned with experience and expertise.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level