Senior Test Engineer, Mechanical and Fluid Systems

Panthalassa • Portland, OR

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Test Engineer, Mechanical and Fluid Systems will design, build, and operate large-scale test equipment for hydraulic turbines, electrical generation powertrains, and high-power equipment. The role owns test systems end to end, from concept and structural and fluid design in Siemens NX through fabrication, assembly, commissioning, operation, and deployment at sea. It is a hands-on builder role involving prototype fabrication, machining and additive processes, and collaboration with shop teams, tradespeople, and vendors to construct systems that safely handle pressurized water and air as well as heavy loads.

The position calls for an engineer who can take large-scale systems from initial concept to operation, work effectively in a creative and collaborative environment, and take ownership of designs through fabrication and deployment. The company is a renewable energy and ocean technology public benefit corporation focused on developing ocean energy technologies. This is an on-site, full-time position based in Portland, Oregon, with travel to vendors and test sites as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering.
• Strong foundation in fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, and structural analysis, including hand calculations.
• At least 7 years of experience designing, building, and testing large-scale mechanical, structural, or fluid systems.
• Track record of owning at least three large-scale systems from design through commissioning.
• Expert-level Siemens NX skills for structural design and fabrication drawings.
• Experience with Teamcenter or a similar PLM system.
• Hands-on experience with machining, including mills and lathes, and professional 3D printing for prototypes and fixtures.
• Experience with process piping design, specification, and installation.
• Experience designing custom machined and welded components for fixtures and structures.
• Understanding of ASME/ANSI piping and pressure vessel codes.
• Familiarity with NFPA 79.
• Knowledge of industrial safety practices, including DFMEA, PFMEA, and HAZOP.
• Working knowledge of electrical power systems and connector selection.
• Experience directing skilled trades and subcontractors.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to travel to vendors and test sites as needed.
• Intermittent ability to work longer hours and weekends to support critical needs.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering, or five years of additional experience in lieu of an advanced degree.
• Experience with finite element analysis.
• Experience commissioning and proof-testing fluid systems for pressurized, cryogenic, vacuum, or elevated-temperature service.
• Experience with pipe supports, tooling, and fixtures for test stands.
• Experience with crane operations, lift planning, and moving large structures.
• Experience designing welded steel structures using American Welding Society D1.1 and ASME BPVC applied to novel hardware.
• Experience with both small-scale rapid R&D stands and large-scale systems.
• Experience delivering on tight schedules with creative solutions.
• Background in power generation, renewable energy, or heavy industrial equipment.
• Experience with heat exchangers and fluid conditioning equipment.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, modify, and operate custom test rigs for hydraulic turbines, powertrains, and power electronics systems.
• Design load-bearing test structures, including frames, stands, weldments, tank supports, rigging, and lifting fixtures, in Siemens NX.
• Produce fabrication drawings with weld callouts, GD&T, and machined interface features.
• Design fluid systems and piping networks, including flow and pressure-drop analysis and the sizing and selection of pumps, valves, regulators, and piping.
• Design process piping and plant layouts for rapid deployment, and design tanks and vessels for large-volume fluid storage.
• Develop P&IDs, test methodologies, procedures, and safety protocols for test systems.
• Machine, 3D print, and assemble prototype parts and fixtures as needed, and decide what to produce in-house versus outsource.
• Integrate mechanical systems with electrical, controls, and data acquisition systems in cross-functional teams.
• Direct technicians, tradespeople, and subcontractors through fabrication, integration, and test operations.
• Manage vendor procurement.
• Perform hands-on assembly, troubleshooting, and real-time and post-test data review.
• Mentor less-experienced engineers and establish design and analysis standards.

Benefits

• Flexible paid time off.
• Health insurance, with the company paying 100% of a gold-level PPO plan for full-time employees, their partners, and dependents.
• Dental insurance, with the company paying 100% for full-time employees, their partners, and dependents.
• Vision insurance, with the company paying 100% for full-time employees, their partners, and dependents.
• Disability insurance, with the company paying 100% for a policy providing long-term financial support if the employee becomes disabled.
• Ability to contribute to tax-advantaged accounts, including a 401(k), health FSA, and dependent care FSA.
• Relocation assistance to facilitate a move to Portland, if needed.
• Equity in the company.
• Flexible working hours and a high degree of autonomy and work-life balance.

What This Job Offers

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