The Test Engineer at Elroy Air will play a crucial role in the development, validation, and certification of Chaparral, our autonomous VTOL cargo aircraft. In this role, you will bridge the gap between design and reality by planning, setting up, and executing rigorous tests on components, sub-systems, and integrated aircraft systems. Whether working on mechanical fixtures, electrical test benches, or environmental chambers, you will ensure our hardware meets performance, reliability, and safety standards.

Responsibilities

Test Planning & Execution: Develop detailed test plans, procedures, and safety hazard analyses for structural, mechanical, environmental, and electrical components
Rig & Fixture Design: Design, build, and commission custom test fixtures, automated test equipment, and ground-support equipment using CAD and rapid-prototyping methods
Instrumentation & Data Acquisition: Select, install, and calibrate sensors such as strain gauges, thermocouples, accelerometers, and pressure transducers. Configure data acquisition (DAQ) systems to capture critical test data
Data Analysis & Diagnostic Troubleshooting: Process raw test data to evaluate system performance against design requirements. Investigate, diagnose, and document root-cause failures when components do not perform as expected
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with Design, Systems, and Flight Test engineering teams to translate high-level aircraft requirements into verifiable, concrete physical test criteria
Safety & Regulatory Compliance: Maintain a safe testing environment by adhering to strict laboratory and field safety protocols, ensuring all documentation supports our FAA and UAS certification pathways

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline
2+ years of professional experience in a dedicated engineering test environment (e.g., hardware verification, environmental qualification, or physical lab testing)
Hands-on experience with electric motors, propulsion systems, battery systems, EV systems
Hands-on experience setting up and operating data acquisition hardware (e.g., National Instruments, Dewesoft) and associated instrumentation
Strong mechanical or electrical troubleshooting skills—comfortable parsing engineering schematics, 3D CAD models, or wiring diagrams to diagnose issues
Proficiency in data processing and analysis using software tools such as Python, MATLAB, or LabVIEW
Excellent communication skills, with a track record of authoring clear, concise, and professional test reports

Nice to have

Experience working within the aerospace, UAV, automotive EV, or robotics industries
Familiarity with hardware qualification standards such as DO-160G, military standards (MIL-STD-810), or automotive equivalents
Experience with automated testing or hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing platforms
Experience designing structural load-cells or thermal/environmental testing setups

Benefits

Competitive salary
Equity ownership in a rapidly growing advanced aerospace company
Comprehensive medical benefits
401(k) with company contribution + Roth IRA
Free daily lunch provided onsite
Flexible time-off policy
3 months of paid parental leave
Employee assistance program with 24/7 support
High-impact startup environment with significant ownership and autonomy
Opportunities for rapid career growth and internal advancement
You’ll work with a motivated, kind, and highly skilled team
You'll help shape and define our company culture and values
You'll help build and scale a new category of aerospace / logistics technology