R&D Test Engineer

9 Mothers•Austin, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking an R&D Test Engineer to own our high-speed imaging capability end-to-end. Testing is central to how we work—we iterate fast and make decisions from data. This is not a camera operator role; it is a test engineering position where high-speed imaging is the primary diagnostic instrument used to deliver quantitative kinematic data that engineers can act on. The right person understands the scientific limitations of imaging, designs test setups that yield clean data, and produces analysis that directly answers critical engineering questions regarding firearms and counter-drone systems.

Requirements

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or related technical discipline
3+ years of hands-on experience operating scientific high-speed cameras (Photron Fastcam, Phantom, or equivalent) in a test or research environment
Demonstrated experience extracting quantitative kinematic data from high-speed footage — velocity, acceleration, displacement — not just producing video
Proficiency with motion analysis software: PFA (Photron FASTCAM Analysis), ProAnalyst (Xcitex), or equivalent
Experience designing and implementing external trigger systems for ballistic or mechanical test events
Practical understanding of lighting for high-speed scientific imaging — exposure times, continuous vs. pulsed sources, avoiding flicker artifacts
Ability to assess data quality in the field and make real-time setup adjustments to recover a test session
Familiarity with data acquisition systems and multi-channel sensor integration

Nice To Haves

Experience in a ballistics, weapons systems, or terminal effects test environment (government range, defense contractor, or national lab)
Familiarity with firearms mechanics — action types, cycling dynamics, feed system behavior
Experience with MIL-STD test documentation and defense program T&E workflows
Background in test fixture design and fabrication
Experience with Schlieren or shadowgraph imaging for ballistic diagnostics
Active Secret clearance or ability to obtain one
M.S. in a relevant engineering or physics discipline
Passion for building robots or engineering projects as a hobby.

Responsibilities

Plan and execute high-speed imaging campaigns for mechanism analysis (firearms cycling, feeding, extraction) and ballistic pattern capture (projectile trajectory relative to aerial targets)
Design test setups including camera positioning, field of view, working distance, and trigger architecture
Select operating parameters — frame rate, resolution, exposure time, pre-trigger buffer — appropriate to each test objective
Configure and operate Photron Fastcam and Phantom high-speed camera systems
Design and implement trigger circuits from TTL sources including pressure sensors, acoustic triggers, and hardware fire signals
Set up and qualify lighting rigs for high-speed scientific imaging, including continuous LED systems at short exposures
Perform on-the-spot data quality assessment immediately after capture — identify whether footage is scientifically usable before proceeding to next shot
Extract kinematic data (displacement, velocity, acceleration vs. time) from high-speed footage using PFA, ProAnalyst, or equivalent motion analysis software
Calibrate pixel-to-physical-unit conversions and apply appropriate lens distortion corrections
Propagate measurement uncertainty through to reported kinematic quantities; characterize what the data can and cannot support
Produce clear, actionable reports communicating findings to mechanical engineers and program leads — not footage, but data with stated confidence
Maintain test records, data files, and calibration documentation consistent with a defensible engineering record
Design and build test fixtures and instrumentation setups supporting high-speed imaging campaigns
Integrate supplementary sensors (pressure, acoustic, accelerometers) with camera trigger and timing systems
Own data acquisition hardware selection, setup, and operation for test programs
Support broader test program infrastructure as the team and test scope grow
Develop and maintain test plans, procedures, and data reduction protocols
Drive test campaign planning from requirements to execution to results delivery
Build out and maintain the team's high-speed camera infrastructure as equipment is procured
Evaluate candidate cameras during rental evaluation sessions and provide procurement recommendations