Staff Development Test Engineer

Astra•Alameda, CA

43d•$160,000 - $190,000

About The Position

This role owns development testing across fluid systems, instrumentation, data acquisition, test stand design and build, hazardous operations, live test execution, troubleshooting, and post-test analysis. The engineer designs, builds, and operates development test stands for propulsion and fluid systems from initial concept through first test, owning the hardware end-to-end. Work includes developing P&IDs, selecting components, routing and fabricating tubing, laying out panels, installing wiring harnesses, configuring DAQ, and performing checkout. The role requires building and commissioning test infrastructure directly rather than handing fabrication off to a separate team. The position supports test operations for propulsion, fluids, and mechanical systems, including hazardous testing involving cryogenics, high-pressure gas, and flammable propellants. The engineer may serve as console operator, test conductor, or stand crew, and takes ownership of work from initial concept through final test report.

Requirements

At least 5 years of hands-on experience in test engineering, propulsion, or aerospace GSE.
Demonstrated ability to take a test stand from blank paper to operating hardware.
Direct experience with high-pressure fluid systems, cryogenics, or propellant handling.
Comfort working in a hazardous operations environment and maintaining procedural rigor.
Proficiency with DAQ hardware such as NI, Beckhoff, or equivalent.
Comfort writing basic sequences or scripts for data acquisition.
Ability to read and mark up mechanical drawings.

Nice To Haves

Tube fabrication and fitting experience.

Responsibilities

Design and build test infrastructure for propulsion, fluid, and mechanical systems, including pressurization circuits, propellant loading and drain systems, flow stands, and proof/leak test rigs.
Develop and own P&IDs from scratch.
Select valves, pressure transducers, flow meters, relief devices, and structural hardware.
Fabricate, fit, and assemble fluid system hardware.
Troubleshoot and repair equipment during active test campaigns.
Write, review, and execute test procedures for hazardous operations involving cryogenics, high-pressure gas, and flammable propellants.
Commission new test stands from cold iron to first ignition.
Support test operations as a console operator, test conductor, or stand crew.
Own work from initial sketch through final test report.