Test Engineer

Volund is building propulsion for America’s next industrial revolution. We design propulsion systems for cost, agility, and scale, combining advanced automation, precision manufacturing, and rapid iteration to move from prototype to production at unprecedented speed. Intelligent manufacturing is engineering at scale. At Volund, engineers operate across the full stack, from concept and simulation to process code and machine execution, ensuring that what is designed can be built and what is built can be scaled. Role This isn’t a “run the procedure and log the numbers” job. We need a test engineer who designs the test, builds the hardware, runs it, and figures out what went wrong when it doesn’t behave. You’ll work across mechanical, fluids, thermal, electrical, controls, and software, often in the same afternoon. If a test needs a fixture, an adapter, a harness, or a control box that doesn’t exist yet, you’ll design it and get it built. What you’ll do Design test fixtures, adapters, plumbing, and supporting hardware, from CAD through fabrication Build, plumb, and wire test setups: fuel systems, air supply, valves, pumps, sensors, and harnesses Quickly prototype solutions in the shop when the test needs something today, not next month Install and check out instrumentation: thermocouples, pressure transducers, accelerometers, speed sensors, and flow meters Configure and maintain the DAQ system, including channel setup, scaling, and live calculated channels Write test plans and procedures, run tests, and keep the test cell safe and organized Analyze engine and component test data, figure out what it’s telling you, and present clear conclusions to the team Chase problems across disciplines to the root cause, whether that’s a fluid, thermal, electrical, mechanical, or software issue Support engine light-off, component characterization, and development testing The most important thing You have a proven history of stepping into problems you’ve never seen before and quickly figuring out what to do. Maybe a competition car broke the night before an event, a lab experiment wasn’t working and nobody knew why, or a project needed a skill you didn’t have yet. You dug in, got resourceful, made a plan, and executed it fast. We want to hear those stories. That track record matters more to us than anything else on this list. Who you are A maker. You’ve built things with your hands and you’re comfortable in a shop. You can scramble together a working solution from what’s on the shelf. A designer. You can take a problem from sketch to CAD to finished part, and you design for how things will actually get built and used. A problem solver who crosses boundaries. You aren’t afraid to dig into a discipline you weren’t trained in. If understanding the test means learning about combustion, electronics, or signal processing, you go learn it. Curious. You ask good questions, and you ask a lot of them. You want to understand why the test is set up the way it is. Resourceful. When you hit a wall, your first move is to dig: datasheets, textbooks, standards, papers, calculations, or a quick experiment. You come back with an answer, or at least a well-researched question. Fast. Once you know what to do, you get it done. You take ownership and finish what you start without needing to be chased. What we’re looking for We know nobody early in their career checks every box below. If you have a solid foundation, a strong track record of figuring things out, and some of the skills listed, we want to hear from you. Must have: B.S. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering (or equivalent hands-on experience) Fundamental understanding of how jet engines work: the Brayton cycle, compressor/combustor/turbine matching, and how thrust, airflow, fuel flow, pressure ratio, and turbine temperature relate to each other Working knowledge of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer Real hands-on build experience: Formula SAE, Baja, rocketry, Design/Build/Fly, research lab, or your own garage projects Demonstrated history of tackling unfamiliar problems and executing quickly Must be a U.S. person (U.S. citizen or permanent resident) due to export control (ITAR) requirements Nice to have: 0–3 years of industry experience; internships and co-ops count CAD proficiency (SolidWorks, Onshape, or similar) Experience with gas turbines, turbochargers, or other high-speed rotating machinery DAQ experience (Dewesoft, NI/LabVIEW, or similar) and data analysis in Excel, Python, or MATLAB Machining and fabrication skills (manual or CNC), welding, or sheet metal Electrical skills: reading schematics, building control boxes, soldering, crimping connectors Experience with fuel systems, combustion, or ignition systems Comfort with fluid fittings (Swagelok, AN) and plumbing high-pressure systems Salary Range $130,000 - $160,000 USD The salary range above is an estimate only with final amount being dependent on a wide variety of factors. All roles include a generous equity package and the following benefits: Platinum Healthcare Benefits with comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans at no cost to you. 100% covered Basic Life/AD&D and long-term disability insurance Unlimited PTO Lunch and fully stocked kitchen Relocation assistance (depending on role eligibility). 401k Savings Plan Real responsibility from day one; your work goes straight onto running hardware Learn directly from engineers with deep jet engine industry experience Volund Manufacturing, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a federal contractor committed to compliance with all applicable equal employment opportunity laws, including those enforced by the U.S. Department of Labor and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). We recruit, hire, train, promote, and compensate employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law. As a government contractor, we also take affirmative action to employ and advance qualified women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and protected veterans. Please note that employment with Volund Manufacturing, Inc. is subject to compliance with U.S. export control laws and regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Due to the nature of our work, all candidates must be U.S. persons as defined by ITAR (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)). We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and for sincerely held religious beliefs, in accordance with applicable law. If you require an accommodation to complete the application or interview process, please contact Human Resources at 714-488-7393.