Test Engineer, R&D

About the Role Build test infrastructure for a defense technology company developing autonomous electromechanical systems. Working with a lean engineering team across hardware, software, and electrical disciplines, you will support products from prototype through production. What You'll Do Design and execute end-to-end test procedures, including setup, operation, data collection, teardown, analysis, and failure reports. Build test electronics, harnesses, instrumentation setups, and fixtures. Develop Python-based automated test procedures and custom test tools. Debug firmware, power rails, and electrical systems to identify root causes. Partner with embedded, electrical, and mechanical engineers to reproduce issues, validate fixes, and prevent regressions. Define test plans, acceptance criteria, and readiness gates as products progress from prototype to production. Build hardware-in-the-loop and software-in-the-loop test environments. Support design for manufacturability and production readiness with hardware teams. Follow safety procedures during high-power and high-voltage testing. Conduct regular field tests, increasing testing activity around sprints, demos, and milestones. What We're Looking For Sustained test-engineering responsibility on real aerospace or electromechanical systems, alongside military experience. Strong electrical bench skills with oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, power supplies, digital multimeters, and harness fabrication. Proficiency in Python or scripting for test automation, including building custom tools. Experience debugging across firmware and electrical systems, and conducting performance, reliability, and safety testing. Clear written communication, including failure reports and root cause analysis. Background in robotics, defense, aerospace, or related work involving electromechanical products and hands-on test setups. Familiarity with design for manufacturability and production testability. Experience with HIL or SIL, relevant aerospace or defense standards, environmental or high-voltage testing, or export-controlled systems is a plus. U.S. Person status is required due to access to export-controlled information. Compensation & Benefits Base salary: $130,000 to $170,000 annually. Visa sponsorship is not available. Location On-site in San Francisco, California, United States. Regular field testing is part of the role.