Test Engineering Technician

Panthalassa • Portland, OR

6d • Onsite

About The Position

Panthalassa is seeking a Test Engineering Technician to join their cross-functional Test Engineering team. This role is the first dedicated technician for the team and will report to the Engineering Manager for Test Engineering. The primary responsibilities include the physical operation, maintenance, and upgrade of existing large-scale test facilities, as well as assisting in the construction of new test systems. The role emphasizes mechanical systems (approximately 3/4 of the work) and supports electrical/instrumentation tasks (approximately 1/4 of the work). This is a hands-on position situated in a climate-controlled, well-lit shop and lab environment. The technician will ensure test rigs operate reliably between campaigns, support mechanical and electrical engineers, and, after training, operate test consoles. Collaboration will occur with the Turbogenerator Development, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Node Integration & Test teams.

Requirements

• Hands-on technical background such as an engineering R&D lab, academic research lab, aerospace test facility, aircraft mechanic, capital equipment or automation machinery, automotive mechanic, or industrial maintenance.
• Prior experience working closely with mechanical or electrical engineering teams.
• Comfort working on elevated platforms and operating an overhead crane.
• Familiarity with lock-out/tag-out (LOTO) procedures and a demonstrated commitment to a clean, safe working environment.
• Basic fabrication skills: drilling, and comfort around mills or lathes.
• Comfort using common hand and power tools (e.g., impact wrenches, drills, torque wrenches, hand crimpers) and precision measuring tools (calipers, micrometers).
• Basic electrical skills: using a digital multimeter for continuity checks and basic instrumentation calibration, and a conceptual understanding of low-voltage instrumentation.
• Strong troubleshooting instincts: tracing signals, identifying root causes, and systematically eliminating variables.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including writing clear test procedures and maintenance documentation.
• Willingness to be trained as a Non-Qualified Electrical Safety Worker, with the potential to grow into a Qualified Electrical Safety Worker.

Nice To Haves

• Soldering experience for cable-building.
• Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, wiring diagrams, and engineering drawings.
• Experience building or modifying test stands or ground support equipment (GSE), not just maintaining existing rigs.
• Experience working with pressurized or high-pressure systems.
• Familiarity with data acquisition (DAQ) systems.

Responsibilities

• Perform physical operation, maintenance, and upgrades on existing test rigs, and support the build of new test systems.
• Maintain test infrastructure fluid systems: monitor water quality and compressed air/water piping, pumps, and filters, performing routine preventive maintenance.
• Maintain inventory of spare parts, tools, and supplies; identify and procure what’s needed to keep test operations running.
• Operate mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs) and overhead cranes; work safely at elevation and lift large objects (up to 50 lbs) as part of routine test rig operations.
• Perform light fabrication tasks in support of test setups, such as drilling and basic use of mills or lathes; interface with our welders and machinists on more complex fabrication needs.
• Assemble and troubleshoot electrical cables and harnesses; perform basic continuity checks and instrumentation calibration using a digital multimeter and related tools.
• Apply working knowledge of low-voltage instrumentation concepts in support of test setups.
• Troubleshoot systems by tracing signals, identifying likely root causes, and methodically eliminating variables through controlled tests.
• Write and follow test procedures and maintenance documentation for the systems you operate and maintain.
• Once trained, operate test rigs from the operator’s console in support of test campaigns.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe working environment; follow lock-out/tag-out (LOTO) procedures.
• Support adjacent teams (Turbogenerator Development, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Node Integration & Test) as testing priorities require.

Benefits

• Cash compensation of $105,000 - $125,000.
• Equity in the company.
• Flexible paid time off
• Health insurance (the company pays 100% of gold level PPO plan for full time employees, their partners, and dependents)
• Dental insurance (the company pays 100% for full time employees and 100% for their partners and dependents)
• Vision insurance (the company pays 100% for full time employees, their partners, and dependents)
• Disability insurance (the company pays 100% for a policy to provide long term financial support if you become disabled)
• Ability to contribute to tax-advantaged accounts, including 401(k), health FSA, and dependent care FSA
• Relocation assistance to facilitate your move to Portland (if needed).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed