Test Engineer - Hardware

About the role

As a Test Engineer on the Fuel Handling System (FHS) team, you will help build and operate the test infrastructure used to validate complex mechanical systems operating in challenging environments—mechanisms, sealing systems, sodium-compatible components, and fluid systems used in fuel handling, cleaning, and storage.

Responsibilities

• Build, instrument, and operate test rigs for mechanical, thermal, and fluid system validation
• Execute test plans on components such as valves, seals, hoists, grapples, and handling mechanisms
• Wire and configure sensors (pressure, temperature, force, position, gas composition) and data acquisition systems
• Run cycle tests, characterize failure modes, and feed findings back to design engineers for rapid iteration
• Perform hands-on fabrication, assembly, and modification of test hardware
• Support sodium exposure testing, cleaning cask development, and mechanism qualification campaigns
• Maintain clean, organized test setups and accurate, traceable test records
• Help write and refine test procedures, checklists, and as-run logs
• Support system integration, full-scale prototype operation, and on-site commissioning as needed
• Travel occasionally to test sites or the reactor installation

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field
• 1–3 years of hands-on engineering experience (industry, internship, co-op, or strong project equivalent)
• Experience with mechanical fabrication, assembly, or electro-mechanical testing
• Comfortable wiring up instrumentation and reading basic schematics
• Strong mechanical intuition and willingness to learn by doing
• Comfortable working with ambiguity and high ownership

Preferred Experience

• Experience with fluid systems (valves, seals, gas, vacuum, hydraulics)
• Built custom test rigs or experimental setups in school, prior jobs, or personal projects
• Familiarity with instrumentation and data acquisition systems
• Exposure to high-temperature, hazardous, or chemically aggressive environments
• Hands-on project experience (e.g., Formula SAE, robotics, rocketry, hardware startups, machine shop work)
• Welding, machining, or fabrication skills

Physical Requirements

• Comfortable working in a hands-on lab and factory environment
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs and stand for extended periods
• Willingness to perform hands-on work including assembly, plumbing, wiring, and troubleshooting

Requirements

• Must be based in the United States
• Must be willing to work on-site at our headquarters in Austin, Texas

What It Takes to Succeed at Aalo

• Extreme Ownership — You take responsibility for outcomes, not just tasks. You proactively identify problems, drive solutions, and follow through.
• A Passion for Solving Hard Problems — You are energized by challenges that others avoid and enjoy finding practical solutions to complex technical issues.
• A Sense of Urgency — You move quickly, make thoughtful decisions, and maintain momentum while balancing quality and execution.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary starting at $85,000
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• Corporate Gym Membership

Additional Information

• Aalo Atomics provides a collaborative and supportive work environment, opportunities for professional growth, intellectually challenging careers, and competitive compensation.
• Aalo Atomics is an equal opportunity employer and considers all employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
• Candidates only. No recruiters or agencies, please.
• Engineering
• Austin, TX