R&D Test Engineer

About the role

At 9 Mothers, we develop AI-powered machines designed to intercept and neutralize Group 1/sUAS threats in real-time. We are a team of hackers, engineers, and mission-driven builders who value field-ready capability over polished slide decks.

Responsibilities

• Test Planning & Execution
• Design test setups including camera positioning, field of view, working distance, and trigger architecture
• Select operating parameters — frame rate, resolution, exposure time, pre-trigger buffer — appropriate to each test objective
• Configure and operate Photron Fastcam and Phantom high-speed camera systems
• Design and implement trigger circuits from TTL sources including pressure sensors, acoustic triggers, and hardware fire signals
• Set up and qualify lighting rigs for high-speed scientific imaging, including continuous LED systems at short exposures
• Perform on-the-spot data quality assessment immediately after capture — identify whether footage is scientifically usable before proceeding to next shot
• Quantitative Analysis
• Extract kinematic data (displacement, velocity, acceleration vs. time) from high-speed footage using PFA, ProAnalyst, or equivalent motion analysis software
• Calibrate pixel-to-physical-unit conversions and apply appropriate lens distortion corrections
• Propagate measurement uncertainty through to reported kinematic quantities; characterize what the data can and cannot support
• Produce clear, actionable reports communicating findings to mechanical engineers and program leads — not footage, but data with stated confidence
• Maintain test records, data files, and calibration documentation consistent with a defensible engineering record
• Instrumental & Data Acquisition Design and build test fixtures and instrumentation setups supporting high-speed imaging campaigns
• Integrate supplementary sensors (pressure, acoustic, accelerometers) with camera trigger and timing systems
• Own data acquisition hardware selection, setup, and operation for test programs
• Support broader test program infrastructure as the team and test scope grow
• Test Program Ownership (Growth)
• Develop and maintain test plans, procedures, and data reduction protocols
• Drive test campaign planning from requirements to execution to results delivery
• Build out and maintain the team's high-speed camera infrastructure as equipment is procured
• Evaluate candidate cameras during rental evaluation sessions and provide procurement recommendations

Requirements

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or related technical discipline
• 3+ years of hands-on experience operating scientific high-speed cameras (Photron Fastcam, Phantom, or equivalent) in a test or research environment
• Demonstrated experience extracting quantitative kinematic data from high-speed footage — velocity, acceleration, displacement — not just producing video
• Proficiency with motion analysis software: PFA (Photron FASTCAM Analysis), ProAnalyst (Xcitex), or equivalent
• Experience designing and implementing external trigger systems for ballistic or mechanical test events
• Practical understanding of lighting for high-speed scientific imaging — exposure times, continuous vs. pulsed sources, avoiding flicker artifacts
• Ability to assess data quality in the field and make real-time setup adjustments to recover a test session
• Familiarity with data acquisition systems and multi-channel sensor integration

Nice-to-have

• Experience in a ballistics, weapons systems, or terminal effects test environment (government range, defense contractor, or national lab)
• Familiarity with firearms mechanics — action types, cycling dynamics, feed system behavior
• Experience with MIL-STD test documentation and defense program T&E workflows
• Experience in test fixture design and fabrication
• Experience with Schlieren or shadowgraph imaging for ballistic diagnostics
• Active Secret clearance or ability to obtain one
• M.S. in a relevant engineering or physics discipline

Benefits

• Meaningful Early Equity: You aren't just an employee; you are a foundational owner. Your contributions directly drive the value of your stake in the company.
• Direct Roadmap Influence: Forget the bureaucracy of big defense. You will have a seat at the table, directly shaping our product and technology trajectory from day one.
• Mission-Critical Work: We don't build for "what if." We build systems the Department of War actively needs to counter immediate, real-world threats.
• The Builder's Playground: Work in a brand-new lab fully optimized for rapid prototyping, equipped with NVIDIA Jetsons, high-end scopes, and 3-D printers.
• 100% Employer-Paid Premiums: We cover 100% of your medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums and cover 50% of healthcare premiums for your dependents.
• Unlimited PTO: We value results, not clock-watching. Take the time you need to stay sharp and recharge.
• Zero Red Tape: You report to the founders. You have the autonomy to make technical decisions that would take months of committee approval at a larger firm.
• Austin-Based Culture: Join an onsite team in Austin, TX, where we prioritize high-bandwidth collaboration and rapid field-testing.
• Relocation Assistance: We want the best talent in the room. If you aren't in Austin yet, we'll help you get here, to make your transition to the Silicon Hills seamless.