Senior Development Test Engineer

They say the best deployable is no deployable, but we believe large deployable mechanisms are the future for large infrastructure in space. At Beyond Reach Labs, we are designing and building the largest deployable structures ever flown to space. As an engineering-driven organization, you will be at the forefront of the company’s key technology development. To make this possible, every mechanism, structure, and actuator we develop needs to be proven out on the ground before it ever sees flight. As a Senior Development Test Engineer at BRL, you will lead the design, build, and operation of the test infrastructure that proves out our hardware. You will own test strategy and execution from subassembly-level development testing through full-scale deployment testing of flight hardware. Your work will span the full development cycle: architecting data acquisition systems, leading the fabrication of test stands and fixtures, and defining the procedures and test campaigns that take a mechanism from a prototype to qualified and acceptance tested spaceflight hardware. You will also mentor other engineers and help shape how BRL tests as we scale. Key Responsibilities: - Test Design and Fabrication: - Lead the design, fabrication, and instrumentation of test rigs and stands for deployable mechanisms, structural test articles, and motor/actuator hardware. - Architect data acquisition (DAQ) systems, including sensor selection, signal conditioning, and instrumentation layout, and set standards the team builds to. - Produce and review fabrication drawings, wiring schematics, and instrumentation lists for test equipment. - Drive streamlining and automation of testing for acceptance testing and long-term production, and shape BRL’s longer-term test capability roadmap. - Test Operations and Data Review: - Lead test systems and campaigns across development, acceptance, and qualification testing, from full-scale deployment tests down to subassembly-level characterization, including serving as test director and leading test readiness reviews. - Stay hands-on with test campaigns, including test article integration, activation, execution, and troubleshooting, while guiding other engineers and technicians through them. - Reduce and review test data, and lead anomaly investigations and root cause analysis with design engineers through closure. - Own the outcome, not just the execution: synthesize test results and performance trends across campaigns into concrete recommendations back to design and manufacturing to mature the hardware. You’re expected to catch what the data is telling you before it becomes a program problem, and to have the credibility to make that call. - Procedures and Qualification: - Develop, write, and approve acceptance test procedures (ATPs) and qualification test plans for flight hardware and ground support equipment. - Own qualification approaches and acceptance testing methods, including test levels, margins, and verification methods, in coordination with responsible engineers and program leadership. - Establish and maintain configuration control of test procedures, test data, and as-run documentation in a way that scales with the company. Basic Qualifications - Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field. - 4+ years of experience in a hands-on engineering role designing, fabricating, or operating test hardware, DAQ systems, or test rigs. - Direct experience testing spaceflight hardware through development, acceptance, and qualification testing. - Experience leading test campaigns end to end, including authoring acceptance and qualification test documentation. - Strong working knowledge of instrumentation and data acquisition fundamentals (sensors, signal conditioning, sampling). - Demonstrated ability to take technical ownership and lead in small teams. Preferred Qualifications: - Master’s or PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline. - Experience serving as test director or test lead for qualification campaigns of flight hardware. - Direct prior experience designing, fabricating, and operating test rigs and stands for mechanisms, structural test articles, motors, or actuators, including DAQ hardware/software and common test instrumentation. - Direct prior experience with large, lightweight deployable structure testing (gravity offload, deployment dynamics, or similar test methods). Additional Requirements: - Willingness to work extended hours and weekends as necessary to support critical project milestones. - Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or eligible for authorization under U.S. export regulations.