Job Description
An aerospace manufacturer is launching a new prototype lab and is seeking a Senior Mechanical Test Engineer to help define and build the company’s test capabilities from the ground up. This is a startup-like environment, fast-paced, high-autonomy, and free from bureaucracy. You’ll take full ownership of mechanical test development, helping validate new hardware and shape future test processes for the company’s expanding product catalog. This is an entire new facility, with incredible growth opportunities, management and above receive lucrative stock options.
This company has acquired multiple aerospace manufacturers, giving you the opportunity to integrate, improve, and innovate test processes across diverse technologies. No two days are the same, you’ll be designing, building, and executing tests that ensure the airworthiness of next-generation aerospace products.
Role Overview as a Senior Mechanical Test Engineer:
As a Senior Mechanical Test Engineer, you’ll lead mechanical product development through qualification and acceptance testing, collaborating closely with design and build engineers. You’ll design test stands, develop software/logic for test execution, and mentor early-career engineers, helping establish best-in-class test processes for a growing aerospace company.
Key Responsibilities of a Senior Mechanical Test Engineer:
- Develop rapid, innovative test solutions for structural, pneumatic, and hydraulic hardware qualification.
- Collaborate with design engineers to create qualification and acceptance test plans for new hardware.
- Take ownership of test stand design: 3D modeling, structural analysis, hand calculations, detailed drawings, component/material selection, and build.
- Execute qualification and acceptance tests, ensuring performance, reliability, and manufacturability.
- Develop and maintain software/PLC/logic to execute tests efficiently.
- Build production test solutions that optimize reliability, lead time, and labor.
- Work with build and production teams to make tests production-friendly.
- Mentor and guide early-career mechanical and test engineers.
Who You Are as a Senior Mechanical Test Engineer:
- Exceptionally curious, fast learner, and hands-on, comfortable building, testing, and troubleshooting in real-world environments.
- Independent, creative, and thrives with ownership and minimal oversight.
- Experienced in mechanical design, structural analysis, thermal and fluid systems, and production constraints.
- Proficient in CAD, GD&T, and PLM/PDM systems.
- Experienced in hand calculations and basic FEM analysis.
- Able to apply engineering first principles to challenge and simplify requirements.
- Comfortable contributing across diverse part categories and manufacturing processes.
Why This Role as a Senior Mechanical Test Engineer:
- Lead testing for hardware that flies on real aircraft.
- Define test processes and take projects from concept to execution.
- Fast-paced, no red tape, high autonomy.
- Mentor engineers, build teams, and influence the company’s future.
- High-mix environment; no two days are alike.
- This is an entire new facility, with incredible growth opportunities. Management and above receive lucrative stock options.
Eligibility
This position requires access to ITAR-controlled technical data. Applicants must be U.S. persons (citizen, permanent resident, or protected individual under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)).
If you would like to have a confidential discussion about the position, please contact the recruiter Rabeel Imrane; Rabeel.imrane@rps-recruitment.com, +12133141692 .