Test Engineer – Ground

Overview

In this role you de-risk ground-side systems to enable safe, cost-effective flight testing. You will professionalize Ground-Side Engineering, reducing flight-test reliance on lab validation and supporting regulatory compliance. You’ll work on end-to-end pre-flight tests, system validation, and proof documentation, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure robustness. This position offers the opportunity to influence safety-critical aerospace work at a mission-driven defense AI company.

Pay / Benefits

• Competitive salary
• VSOP options
• Relocation support
• Learning allowance
• Gym membership
• Mental health support

Responsibilities

• Pre-Flight De-risking: run high-repetition burn-in tests on new firmware/hardware for Ground Control Station and data links
• Launch System Validation: perform mechanical launch tests to verify safe exit velocities and structural integrity
• Iron Bird Connection: maintain a ground-based Iron Bird to simulate failures and test system reactions
• Regression Library: build a library of ground-side edge and failure cases for flight clearance
• Documentation of Proof: generate de-risking reports and manage testing cards in JIRA

Key requirements

• Infrastructure & GSE mastery: deep knowledge of Ground Control Stations, pneumatic/mechanical launchers, tracking antenna arrays, ruggedized power and control systems
• Interface & Protocol Testing: ability to sniff/analyze ground-air protocols to de-risk latency and packet loss
• HIL/SIL Setup: experience building and maintaining Hardware-in-the-Loop and Software-in-the-Loop environments
• Environmental & Stress Testing: vibration, thermal, EMI tests for field survivability
• Diagnostic Tooling: proficiency with oscilloscopes, spectrum analysers, and network protocol analysers to root-cause hardware failures
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline (nice to have)

• critical thinking
• ownership
• cross-functional collaboration
• Ground Control Stations (GCS)
• pneumatic/mechanical launchers
• tracking antenna arrays

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