Test Hardware Design Engineer; ME

Job Title:

Test Hardware Design Engineer Job Description

The Test Hardware Design Engineer designs and develops mechanical test fixtures, test stands, support equipment, and custom tooling used to verify and validate complex products in demanding aerospace and defense environments. This role focuses on creating robust, safe, and efficient test hardware that supports environmental, structural, vibration, thermal, shock, qualification, and production testing, while collaborating closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams.

• Design and develop mechanical test fixtures, test stands, support equipment, and custom tooling to support product verification and validation activities.
• Create 3D CAD models, detailed engineering drawings, and complete fabrication packages for test hardware and related components.
• Design hardware used for environmental, structural, vibration, thermal, shock, qualification, and production testing to meet program requirements.
• Develop mounting solutions for sensors, instrumentation, data acquisition equipment, and test articles to ensure accurate and reliable measurements.
• Perform structural, thermal, and tolerance analyses to confirm that test hardware meets performance, safety, and reliability requirements.
• Support laboratory, manufacturing, and qualification test activities by providing technical guidance on test hardware usage and configuration.
• Coordinate fabrication, assembly, and installation of test equipment with internal teams and external suppliers to ensure timely delivery and integration.
• Develop design concepts that promote safe, repeatable, and efficient testing processes in alignment with engineering best practices.
• Troubleshoot test hardware issues and failures, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions and design improvements.
• Support prototype development and rapid design iterations to meet evolving test requirements and program schedules.
• Collaborate with electrical, software, systems, and test engineers to integrate instrumentation, automation systems, and data acquisition hardware into test setups.
• Participate in design reviews and technical assessments, presenting test hardware concepts, analyses, and design decisions.
• Support root cause investigations and failure analysis activities by contributing mechanical and test hardware expertise.
• Ensure that test hardware designs consider manufacturability, maintainability, and compatibility with existing test infrastructure.

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline.
• 3–8+ years of mechanical design experience, preferably in test equipment, fixtures, or related hardware.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD tools such as Creo, Solid Works, Siemens NX, or CATIA for modeling and detailing mechanical components and assemblies.
• Experience creating detailed engineering drawings and assemblies suitable for fabrication and inspection.
• Knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) in accordance with ASME Y14.5 standards.
• Hands‑on experience designing mechanical fixtures, tooling, or test equipment used in laboratory or production environments.
• Strong understanding of mechanical design principles, including structural mechanics, materials selection, fastener design, and manufacturing processes.
• Ability to support hardware through the full lifecycle from concept development through fabrication, assembly, and testing.
• Experience working with mechanical and hardware design for test equipment, electronic packaging, and electromechanical systems.
• Familiarity with test fixtures and test equipment used in aerospace or similar high‑reliability applications.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with…