Systems Test Engineer I

The Systems Test Engineer I will support system-level testing primarily for the Switchblade 400 and LASSO programs, working alongside senior Systems Test Engineers and Test Directors to prepare, execute, monitor, and document hardware and system-level tests.

This person will initially follow established setup instructions and internal documentation to configure systems, connect hardware, operate control systems, prepare vehicles for testing, and monitor incoming test data for warnings or abnormal behavior. As they ramp up, they will take greater ownership of executing tests and supporting test activities with limited supervision.

Responsibilities will include:

Set up and configure integrated systems and test hardware in preparation for system-level and environmental testing. Execute test procedures while operating control systems and monitoring real-time system data for warnings, failures, or unexpected results. Support environmental and MIL-STD testing of hardware and integrated systems, which will represent a significant portion of the near-term workload. Review system-level requirements and translate those requirements into practical test activities. Help develop, modify, and improve test plans and test procedures rather than simply following predefined instructions. Evaluate test execution and results to determine whether the system and testing process are behaving as expected. Troubleshoot basic test or system issues and clearly document anomalies, test results, and observations. Coordinate with senior engineers, Test Directors, external test facilities, and customers during test planning and execution. Support limited hands-on hardware activities, including connecting already integrated systems and preparing equipment for testing. The position is not primarily an assembly/disassembly or test-equipment engineering role. Travel to test facilities and field locations to support multi-day testing. Travel is expected to be approximately 30%, with much of it within Ventura County or elsewhere in California and occasional testing elsewhere in the continental U.S.

2+ years of relevant Systems Engineering, Systems Test Engineering, Verification & Validation, or system-level hardware testing experience. Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, or a related technical discipline, consistent with the engineering backgrounds discussed for the position. Hands-on experience executing system-level testing on complex hardware, electromechanical, electronic, or integrated systems. Ability to understand engineering requirements and use those requirements to develop, modify, or evaluate test procedures. Strong critical-thinking skills. Must be able to identify when a test, procedure, or result does not look correct rather than simply following a checklist. Experience collecting, monitoring, documenting, and communicating test results and system anomalies. Ability to work collaboratively with senior engineers, Test Directors, customers, and external test facilities. Comfortable working with physical hardware and integrated systems, including system setup, connections, configuration, and basic troubleshooting. Ability to work primarily onsite on a 9/80 schedule and travel approximately 30% domestically. MIL-STD environmental testing experience, which the team specifically identified as a high-value background because environmental testing will make up a substantial portion of the immediate workload. Experience with environmental testing such as vibration, shock, temperature, altitude, environmental exposure, or other qualification/verification testing. Previous experience developing formal test plans, test procedures, test reports, or verification documentation. Experience testing integrated hardware/software systems rather than individual components. Aerospace, defense, UAV, UAS, robotics, autonomous-system, or flight-test experience. Experience supporting testing at external laboratories or third-party test houses. Experience operating or monitoring systems through software-based control interfaces and reviewing incoming system/test data. Consumer electronics, automotive, robotics, medical-device, or other complex-product system-test experience is also relevant. The hiring team specifically stated that aerospace/UAV experience is not mandatory if the candidate has strong transferable systems-testing experience