Senior Manufacturing Test Engineer, Propulsion

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century’s most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built and sold. Anduril’s family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril is committed to bringing cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years.

ABOUT THE JOB As a Senior Propulsion Test Engineer, you will develop, build, and execute the test campaigns that qualify mission-critical air vehicle propulsion systems and micro-turbojets for production. In this role, you will take ownership of the physical and software test setups that validate engine performance, reliability, and operating limits, working directly with propulsion development engineers to adapt test capabilities as engine designs evolve. Every Propulsion Test Engineer is responsible for the full lifecycle of engine testing. You will design and fabricate physical test racks and instrumentation suites, write Python-based test software on Linux/Unix platforms, and control and monitor engine sub-assemblies over CAN bus networks. Crucially, you will act as the Test Director during live engine and micro-turbojet hot-fire runs—owning test cell safety, command execution, real-time data monitoring, and emergency abort sequences to ensure safe, repeatable, and high-fidelity testing.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Serve as Test Director during engine and micro-turbojet hot-fire runs, managing test stand operations, console communication, go/no-go criteria, and emergency abort procedures

Design, build, and maintain propulsion test hardware infrastructure, including instrumented test racks, sensor harnesses, engine test stands, and thrust measurement fixtures

Author comprehensive propulsion test plans, run procedures, redline limits, and acceptance criteria in close collaboration with development engineers

Develop robust, automated test and data acquisition software in Python running on Linux/Unix systems to control engine profiles and record telemetry

Implement and debug CAN bus communications to interface with Engine Control Units (ECUs), smart actuators, fuel pumps, and test stand controllers

Integrate and calibrate propulsion test instrumentation, including load cells, pressure transducers, thermocouples/RTDs, mass flow meters, and vibration sensors

Configure, operate, and troubleshoot Linux/Unix test systems using terminal command-line tools, SSH, and network debugging utilities

Perform rapid root-cause analysis (RCCA) on unexpected engine behaviors, instrumentation dropouts, or hardware anomalies observed during test execution

Analyze post-test steady-state and transient telemetry (thrust, fuel flow, turbine inlet temperature, spool response) and generate detailed test summary reports

Maintain and scale propulsion test cell facilities, driving improvements in turnaround time, automated checkout procedures, and facility safety

Train Manufacturing Test Engineers and Technicians in best practices for Propulsion Test and Evaluation criteria

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Electronics, Computer, Mechanical Engineering, or related fields OR 10+ years of advanced knowledge acquired through work experience and/or intellectual instruction in lieu of degree

Demonstrated experience in managing control room operations, coordinating complex test schedules, and maintaining accurate inventory tracking systems

8+ years of hands-on experience in propulsion testing, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test setups, or engine test cell operations

Direct, hands-on experience with micro-turbojet engine testing (mandatory)

Proven experience serving as a Test Director, console operator, or lead test engineer during live engine runs or hazardous hot-fire operations

Demonstrated experience designing, building, and wiring test racks, instrumentation boxes, and benchtop DAQ systems

Proficiency writing automated test, control, and data acquisition software in Python within a Linux/Unix environment

Strong Linux/Unix systems knowledge, including terminal command-line proficiency, SSH, and network configuration/debugging

Hands-on experience with CAN bus hardware interfaces and messaging protocols for control and data logging

Experience selecting, wiring, and calibrating sensors: pressure transducers, thermocouples, load cells, and flow meters

Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Broader turbine, rocket, or internal combustion engine test experience

Experience with fluid systems, high-pressure plumbing, fuel delivery lines, valves, and regulators (e.g., Swagelok)

Familiarity with CAD tools (such as Siemens NX or SolidWorks) for engine test stand and mounting fixture design

Experience with high-speed data acquisition platforms (e.g., National Instruments cDAQ/cRIO) and hardware-level signal conditioning

Familiarity with AS9100 or aerospace quality standards as applied to flight hardware testing and validation

Active U.S. Secret or Top Secret security clearance

US Salary Range $127,000 — $170,000 USD

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Anduril's total compensation package. Additionally, Anduril offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including:

Benefits

At Anduril, we invest in our people. Our comprehensive, competitive benefits package (available at little to no cost to employees) ensures you’re supported in health, recovery, and whatever comes next. For more information, Explore Our Benefits .

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