Mechanical Test Hardware Design Engineer

Job Title:

Test Development Engineer

Job Description

This role focuses on designing and developing mechanical test fixtures, test stands, and specialized test equipment to support rigorous mechanical testing of high-reliability, high-safety products. The Test Development Engineer will own the engineering design, integration, and commissioning of testbeds and tooling used to evaluate prototype designs, reduce technical risk, and advance technology readiness levels. The position combines hands-on mechanical design, manufacturing oversight, test execution, and data analysis to drive iterative improvements in product performance and reliability.

Responsibilities

* Design and develop mechanical test fixtures, test stands, and specialized testbeds used for mechanical testing of prototype systems, assemblies, and components.

* Assist the test team in executing mechanical tests, including setting up equipment, running tests, recording results, and analyzing test data to inform redesign and improvement efforts.

* Lead or support the engineering design, integration, and commissioning of test setups, tooling, and handling equipment to reduce technical risk and advance technology readiness level (TRL).

* Provide oversight for manufacturing, integration, and testing activities, ensuring that test hardware and systems meet high reliability and high safety standards.

* Evaluate prototype performance and test results to facilitate rapid iteration of design, build, and testing cycles.

* Develop mechanical and physical concepts and support the development of processes to create or identify mechanical solutions for testing and verification efforts.

* Gather, collect, and document applicable requirements, interfaces, design bases, and design criteria by coordinating with key stakeholders and systems engineers.

* Support the identification and application of relevant industry codes and standards under the direction of project leads and systems engineers.

* Plan and perform analyses to assess mechanical test fixtures and systems, ensuring they can perform their intended functions and meet technical specifications and design requirements.

* Develop innovative mechanical solutions to refine and deploy new concepts, technologies, and designs, including work with prototype products made of stainless steel and graphite.

* Integrate design activities across internal engineering team members, external partners, and suppliers to ensure cohesive and robust test system designs.

* Perform scoping and sizing calculations to down select design features and ensure compliance with design requirements and consensus codes and standards.

* Create and maintain CAD-generated engineering models, drawings, and related configuration-controlled design data.

* Assess mechanical test systems and mechanical prototypes for manufacturability, assembly, and integration considerations, providing feedback to project leads and manufacturing teams.

* Write and develop comprehensive design documentation, including design basis documents, technical reports, calculations, and drawings in accordance with applicable procedures.

* Develop Verification and Validation (V&V) plans for analytical tools and support the qualification and validation of the engineering toolset.

* Perform work in accordance with established quality procedures for design and configuration management to ensure project quality requirements are consistently met.

* Provide independent reviews and acceptance reviews of engineering deliverables, test data, and technical documentation to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with standards.

Essential Skills

* Bachelor's degree or advanced degree in mechanical engineering or a related engineering discipline from an accredited institution.

* At least 5-10 years of experience in similar industries and roles involving mechanical engineering design and development.

* Mechanical engineering design and development experience within high reliability, high quality, or high safety programs.

* Demonstrated experience designing test beds and test fixtures for mechanical testing applications.

* Hands-on experience executing mechanical tests, recording test data, and evaluating test results to support redesign and optimization efforts.

* Proficiency with engineering hand calculations to support sizing, analysis, and verification of mechanical designs.

* Experience using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software; familiarity with Siemens NX and Teamcenter is valued, though other CAD/PLM platforms are acceptable.

* Hardware ownership experience, including oversight of manufacturing and testing activities for mechanical components or systems.

* At least one year of hands-on experience developing and delivering hardware or manufacturing processes in a production environment.

* Experience with mechanical testing, mechanical test fixtures, test stand design, and test development for hardware systems.

* Ability to interpret and work with pressure vessel and…