Test Engineer

Critical Loop • Long Beach, CA

18d • $125,000 - $170,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Critical Loop is hiring Test Engineers to build its hardware test capability from the ground up. The role owns the hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) infrastructure, production unit test process, and canary fleet procedures that support hardware reliability. The Test Engineer will design and build HITL testbeds, establish production testing, and create canary fleet procedures. Test outcomes will inform improvements to the hardware shipped to customers. This is a hands-on, on-site role in Long Beach, California, working with the Operations and Product Development teams.

Requirements

• Hands-on experience designing, building, and operating hardware test setups, beyond running existing setups.
• Background in power electronics or high-voltage systems.
• Demonstrated experience authoring test procedures and operational standards, with substantive contributions to their development and methodology.
• Strong root cause analysis skills and the ability to resolve complex hardware issues in systems owned end to end.
• Willingness to engage with software testing, including reading code, writing scripts, and committing to git repositories.
• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Ability to operate as the test engineering function for a product line, set priorities, and manage work without an existing test organization.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship, now or in the future; visa sponsorship is not available.

Nice To Haves

• Direct experience with hardware-in-the-loop testbeds and the trade-offs involving fidelity, cost, and maintainability.
• Experience with data acquisition systems, sensors, DAQs, and logging or telemetry-forwarding software.
• Familiarity with Python, git, and Linux.
• Background spanning both R&D and production environments.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain hardware-in-the-loop testbeds for Critical Loop products, beginning with the CLB5100 and expanding to the CLB5020 and beyond.
• Develop and operate production unit test processes and procedures to identify issues before units reach customer sites.
• Establish and own canary fleet usage processes, tooling, and operational standards.
• Author and maintain test procedures, documentation, and standards for hardware validation.
• Analyze test data and translate findings into actionable feedback to improve shipped hardware.
• Lead root cause analysis of hardware failures and testing edge cases, and continue working on problems until they are solved.
• Partner with engineering and field operations to align test infrastructure with deployment realities.
• Build the test engineering function, creating needed processes and tools rather than waiting for them to exist.

Benefits

• Equity ownership through stock options.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage through an HRA with a generous allowance.
• Retirement savings plan.
• Unlimited paid time off.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time