Stealth Startup Hiring for Senior Test Engineer at Portland, OR Full Time

About the Company

We are a stealth renewable energy and ocean technology startup committed to rapidly developing and deploying technologies that will ensure a sustainable future for the Earth by unlocking the vast energy potential of its oceans.

About the Job

We are developing a core technology that will operate in the worst conditions the world’s oceans have to offer for years at a time without human maintenance or intervention. Building and testing hardware is in our blood.

As Senior Test Engineer, you will be responsible for ensuring components and systems have been tested and are qualified to function in punishing ocean conditions. You will own testing across our technology stack, developing tests to quickly evaluate new ideas and crafting endurance testing on mission critical hardware. You will support our engineers in the design and execution of unique development tests for turbines, valves, pressure vessels, and structures testing on an accelerated schedule.

The ideal candidate will have a knack for working with other engineers and inventors to define the contours of a test and will be able to use a library of sensors and software components to quickly stand that test up in the real world, independently and without supervision. Over time, the ideal candidate will curate and augment our collection of well-understood sensors and hardware and software components to unlock more powerful test capabilities.

Candidates should have strong interpersonal skills and be able to thrive in a creative, scrappy, and collaborative environment in which the best ideas change the company’s direction on a regular basis. If you are an excellent engineer, regardless of your background, we want you to apply. Our staff have worked at organizations such as SpaceX, Blue Origin, Boeing, Virgin Orbit, Virgin Galactic, Google, Amazon, Microsoft, New Relic, Bridgewater, Raytheon, Disney Imagineering, and the US Army and Air Force, as well as research universities, startups, and small companies across a range of industries. We are organized as a public benefit corporation and are backed by leading venture capital firms, private investors, philanthropic investors, and endowments.

We strive to be the best engineering team on the planet and we compensate our engineers accordingly.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute tests on hydraulic turbines, electrical generation powertrains, fluid testing loops, endurance testing, structural load testing, and pumping systems
• Own component and powertrain test campaigns; this includes test plan creation, stand equipment design/fabrication, new system activation, test operations, and data review
• Engage with others on fabrication and integration of test articles and test stand equipment
• Work alongside with, and provide instruction to, shop fabricators and technicians
• Develop and maintain test procedures, sequences, scripts, configuration files, and software
• Design, build, modify, operate and troubleshoot data acquisition and control systems, wiring and instrumentation
• Ensure safety is considered in all testing through the development of safety plans, hardware interconnects, software interconnects, and other mechanisms.
• Work with our “flight” hardware teams to transition DAQ systems to our proprietary sensor and hardware stacks in cases where such integration is required
• Design, build, modify, operate, and troubleshoot low- to medium-pressure water and air fluid systems
• Design, build, modify, and operate mechanical systems; these include test stand support structures, pumping loops, and integration equipment
• Work with design engineers to develop test methodologies
• Automate repetitive test operations, including identification of risks, failure modes, and mitigation techniques
• Consistently find ways to improve existing processes

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering or other engineering field
• 5+ years of hands-on testing experience
• Experience with NI DAQ systems utilizing LabVIEW for UI

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• 3+ years of hands on experience with fluid systems
• Experience with instrumentation and control components (pressure transducers, thermocouples, RTDs, strain gauges, accelerometers, flow meters, load cells, relays, solenoids, pneumatic valves)
• Experience with PID control
• Experience using 3D modeling software
• Experience reviewing data from anomalies and identifying root cause
• Experience writing and maintaining test procedures and hardware work instructions
• Ability to read, understand and apply technical manuals, data s, mechanical schematics, electrical schematics and design specifications
• Experience with at least one programming language (Python, C, C++, Julia, Rust, Elixir, etc.)
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, self-starting, and demanding atmosphere
• A curiosity to learn and a passion for continuous improvement
• Solid understanding of technical projects from the details to the big picture
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and presentation skills

Additional Requirements:

• Travel to vendors and test sites as needed
• Ability to occasionally work in tight quarters with physical dexterity is required
• Physical effort including sitting or standing for extended periods of time, lifting and carrying weight such as materials or equipment (up to 30 lbs. unassisted)
• Occasionally exposed to work in extreme outdoor environments (heat, cold, rain)
• Work occasionally performed in an environment with exposure to fumes, odors and noise
• Intermittently able to work longer hours and weekends to support critical needs. While we expect a lot of each other, we also offer a high degree of autonomy and work-life balance, including unlimited PTO and flexible working hours.

Salary range

$125,000 – $200,000

Benefits

• Paid time off
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Disability insurance
• Relocation assistance
• 401(k)

Location

Our offices, lab, and shop are located in Portland, Oregon. This position requires consistent on-site work.

Job Type

Full-time

COVID-19 Considerations

Office and shop environments have extensive HEPA filtration.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $125,000.00 – $200,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Relocation assistance
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person