Testing Engineer; Aerospace, Hardware

The Testing Engineer brings hands‑on testing expertise to Blackwave Texas, building and expanding our capabilities for large‑scale COPV testing to ensure the highest levels of safety and reliability for spaceflight applications.

The mission of the Testing Engineer is to establish, develop, and own COPV testing capabilities at the Texas plant. The role is responsible for building the processes, procedures, and methods required to test large‑scale Composite Over wrapped Pressure Vessels (COPVs) to spaceflight standards — ensuring that no COPV leaves Texas without full confidence in its integrity and performance.

A successful Testing Engineer will:

• Take full engineering ownership of COPV testing operations in Texas
• Build the processes and procedures necessary to test large‑scale COPVs safely and reliably
• Develop and mature testing methods that meet spaceflight qualification requirements
• Support production and operations with engineering know‑how and hands‑on troubleshooting
• Establish deep in‑house knowledge and experience in COPV testing within the Texas team

• Serve as the engineer of record for all COPV testing activities in Texas
• Design, document, and continuously improve testing processes and procedures for large‑scale COPVs
• Develop and validate testing methods appropriate for spaceflight qualification
• Operate and maintain testing equipment, ensuring accuracy, calibration, and readiness
• Support production and operations teams with engineering guidance and troubleshooting
• Conduct and document inspections, tests, and evaluations in accordance with applicable standards
• Identify and mitigate risks associated with testing activities and test results
• Build and transfer COPV testing knowledge within the Texas team
• Coordinate with the Team in Germany to bring the process expertise to Texas
• Coordinate with engineering, quality, and operations teams to ensure testing activities support production goals
• Contribute to the development of technical documentation, test plans, and reports

• Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent technical field (required)
• Experience with engineering development processes and technical documentation (required)
• Proficiency with testing equipment and instrumentation (required)
• Familiarity with aerospace qualification requirements and standards (nice to have)
• Visual inspection training or qualification (nice to have)
• Experience with risk assessment and mitigation methods (nice to have)

• Hands‑on approach — equally comfortable at the test bench and at the desk
• Comfortable operating under uncertainty and making sound decisions with incomplete information
• Solution‑oriented troubleshooter who drives issues through to resolution
• Organised and structured, but action‑oriented and able to move quickly when needed
• Thrives in an environment where processes are still being built, not just followed

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent technical field
• Several years of hands‑on experience in engineering testing, preferably in aerospace or pressure vessel applications (nice to have)
• Proven experience developing technical documentation, test plans, or engineering procedures
• Experience working in structured, safety‑critical production or test environments

• English is required
• Spanish or German are a plus

• On‑site work is mandatory
• Willingness to work both in the lab/test area and at the desk on a daily basis
• Our current facility is located in Lockhart, Texas (near Austin/San Antonio)
• In mid‑2026, Blackwave will relocate to a new site in the Port San Antonio aerospace hub

Blackwave Texas Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected characteristics under applicable law.

This position requires eligibility under U.S. export regulations (ITAR). Candidates must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, or otherwise authorized to access export‑controlled information.