Senior Research And Development Engineer

About the Company

We build aerial robotics and autonomous systems that help modernize critical power infrastructure. Our work is focused on enabling safer, faster, and more reliable construction and maintenance across demanding operating environments, while reducing environmental and community impact. We value practical engineering, clear communication, trust, and disciplined execution. Teams work closely across engineering and operations, balancing speed with the rigor required for systems used in the field. The environment is hands-on and collaborative, with people expected to solve difficult problems, take ownership, and focus effort where it creates the greatest impact. Flexible working arrangements support sustainable performance, while an inclusive culture welcomes people from varied backgrounds and values different perspectives. This is an opportunity to join a technology-led team working on real-world infrastructure challenges where applied engineering and dependable execution matter.

About the Role

As Senior R&D Test Engineer, you will own the test architecture for aerial robotic systems and autonomous platforms, turning complex hardware and software interactions into reliable, measurable engineering outcomes. You will lead validation from bench testing through field deployment, build automated and instrumented test infrastructure, and guide root-cause investigations across mechanical, electrical, and software domains. The role is based in Austin, Texas, with a hybrid working model and travel to domestic and international operational sites. You will operate as a senior individual contributor, defining priorities independently while establishing practices that can scale into a broader test engineering function. The work demands sound judgment when schedules are tight, disciplined technical rigor, and the ability to translate data into decisions.

Responsibilities

• Lead integrated test campaigns from bench validation through field deployment, establishing evidence that aerial robotic and autonomous systems meet performance, reliability, and operational requirements.
• Architect and commission HIL, environmental, endurance, vibration, and field test systems that expose failure modes early and create repeatable validation pathways.
• Build automated test infrastructure and frameworks rather than isolated scripts, increasing test coverage, repeatability, engineering throughput, and confidence in release decisions.
• Own data acquisition, telemetry, and instrumentation across the engineering program, ensuring trustworthy measurements support rapid diagnosis and technically sound design choices.
• Drive cross-functional root-cause investigations across mechanical, electrical, and software systems, converting test evidence into corrective actions and measurable reliability improvements.
• Define test priorities and independently manage the program, communicating risks, findings, trade-offs, and recommendations clearly to engineering leadership.
• Support domestic and international field deployments, adapting test plans to operational constraints while protecting rigor, safety, and learning velocity.
• Mentor junior engineers and establish scalable test engineering standards that strengthen team capability as the organization grows.

Essential Skills & Technologies

• Advanced hardware test engineering across aerospace, robotics, autonomous systems, UAVs, or comparable complex platforms, with strong judgment about how integrated systems fail.
• Instrumentation, data acquisition, telemetry, and environmental testing expertise, including the ability to select, configure, validate, and troubleshoot measurement systems.
• Strong Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, or equivalent scripting capability for building maintainable automated test frameworks, analysis workflows, and repeatable engineering infrastructure.
• Hands-on troubleshooting across electrical, mechanical, embedded, and software interfaces, using structured experiments and evidence to isolate root causes efficiently.
• Validation and qualification program experience for high-reliability hardware, including requirements traceability, test planning, execution discipline, and clear technical reporting.
• Test system design and commissioning skills spanning HIL, endurance, vibration, environmental, bench, and field setups for complex robotic or autonomous equipment.
• Clear technical communication and cross-functional collaboration with mechanical, electrical, software, operations, and engineering leadership stakeholders.

Additional Plus

• Experience building a test engineering function from scratch or leading a test team, including standards, prioritization, mentoring, and scalable operating practices.
• Background in aerospace, defense, or safety-critical hardware with familiarity with DO-178C, DO-254, MIL-STD, or equivalent assurance frameworks.
• Experience testing power electronics, high-voltage systems, transmission equipment, utility infrastructure, or other industrial platforms operating in demanding environments.

What You'll Bring

• Seven to ten or more years designing and executing advanced hardware test programs, with the depth to anticipate failure modes and create evidence-led validation strategies.
• A builder’s mindset: you create automated, instrumented, and scalable test infrastructure that improves repeatability, coverage, decision quality, and the team’s ability to move quickly.
• Independent program ownership and prioritization, including the confidence to protect engineering rigor, challenge unsafe shortcuts, and focus limited resources on the highest-impact risks.
• Strong cross-functional communication, practical troubleshooting instincts, and willingness to travel domestically and internationally for operational field deployments.