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Salary: USD 126,000 - 167,000 / annual
Anduril Industries is a defense technology company transforming U.S. and allied military capabilities through advanced technology. The Barracuda Manufacturing Team is responsible for rapidly iterating and building cutting-edge defense hardware for the Warfighter, managing the full manufacturing value-chain from design for manufacturability to quality planning and work documentation.
As a Propulsion Test Engineer, you will develop, build, and execute test campaigns that qualify mission-critical air vehicle propulsion systems and micro-turbojets for production. 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.
You will own the full lifecycle of engine testing. This includes designing and fabricating physical test racks and instrumentation suites, writing Python-based test software on Linux/Unix platforms, and controlling and monitoring engine sub-assemblies over CAN bus networks. Critically, 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.
Key responsibilities include: serving 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; designing, building, and maintaining propulsion test hardware infrastructure including instrumented test racks, sensor harnesses, engine test stands, and thrust measurement fixtures; authoring comprehensive propulsion test plans, run procedures, redline limits, and acceptance criteria in collaboration with development engineers; developing robust, automated test and data acquisition software in Python running on Linux/Unix systems to control engine profiles and record telemetry; implementing and debugging CAN bus communications to interface with Engine Control Units (ECUs), smart actuators, fuel pumps, and test stand controllers; integrating and calibrating propulsion test instrumentation including load cells, pressure transducers, thermocouples/RTDs, mass flow meters, and vibration sensors; configuring, operating, and troubleshooting Linux/Unix test systems using terminal command-line tools, SSH, and network debugging utilities; performing rapid root-cause analysis (RCCA) on unexpected engine behaviors, instrumentation dropouts, or hardware anomalies observed during test execution; analyzing post-test steady-state and transient telemetry (thrust, fuel flow, turbine inlet temperature, spool response) and generating detailed test summary reports; and maintaining and scaling propulsion test cell facilities, driving improvements in turnaround time, automated checkout procedures, and facility safety.
**REQUIREMENTS**
Must-have qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
- Demonstrated experience in managing control room operations, coordinating complex test schedules, and maintaining accurate inventory tracking systems
- 3+ 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
