Lead Test Engineer

Company Overview:

Second Order Effects (SOE) is an engineering consultancy that transforms uncertainty into fully functional hardware and software. We work on projects at various stages of development and scope; we perform analysis, build prototypes, and take products to market. Our cross-disciplinary team solves critical problems across numerous industries, including automotive, aerospace, consumer electronics, industrial automation, biomedical, green energy, and marine. Our designs control rocket engines, manage satellite communications, generate safety-overrides for self-driving cars, and are enjoyed by consumers around the world.

Founded in 2016, Second Order Effects has 90+ employees (and counting!) in offices in El Segundo, California and Redmond, Washington. We've worked with 90+ clients on 250+ projects as a partner, on a retainer, or on demand, all of which have no involvement with weapons.

How do we do this? We prioritize others, build the right thing, welcome difficulty, and play the long game. Learn more at soeffects.com!

Team Overview:

The Systems Integration and Test team (I&T) is focused on validating, integrating, verifying, and qualifying SOE designs. I&T takes ownership of end-to-end projects and works closely with project teams and customers to learn designs and use cases.  Every team member works to understand a wide variety of problems in new or legacy designs and can architect systematic means of implementing & testing solutions. Team members emphasize reusability, automation, and developing hardware and software infrastructure to serve internal and external customers as efficiently as possible.

Job Overview:

As a Lead Test Engineer, you will take ownership over the development and execution of novel test projects and campaigns for a range of industries. This will require you to work in multidisciplinary project teams and to help develop and promote the standard for what exceptional Test output should look like. In this role, you will be expected to represent the Test discipline at SOE and lead projects by providing guidance and feedback to engineers on the I&T team and developing infrastructure and tools to enable the growth of the team.

What You Will Do:

• Own the design, assembly, and testing of custom hardware, electrical and mechanical systems for customers in a variety of industries, including aerospace, renewable energy, and medical devices
• Develop and maintain infrastructure geared towards improving the efficiency of the Integration & Test team 
• Partner with customers to lead the development and execution of test systems and campaigns, ensuring customer success and engagement throughout the project
• Mentor and guide the I&T team and mature the team’s current core competencies and skill sets
• Set the bar for what excellence looks like with respect to Test Engineering output and communicate and disseminate that expectation to the rest of the team 
• Support Business Development (BD) efforts, which include generating and reviewing estimates for project efforts and assessing the scope of new work 
• Collaborate with Senior Leadership to identify ways to grow and mature SOE’s Integration & Test capabilities, which include both hardware and software development

What You Will Need:

• Bachelor's Degree (Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Math, related field)
• 2+ years of experience developing and building custom test systems and/or running test campaigns for software and hardware
• Experience with environmental test campaigns
• Depth in at least one core engineering discipline (Electrical, Mechanical, Firmware, Software)
• Knowledge of verification & validation (V&V) methodologies
• Ability to synthesize and communicate technical information to non-technical stakeholders
• Experience selecting and working with data acquisition systems and control systems to continually improve in-test data recording and usability of the systems 
• Experience in any common MCAD and ECAD tools
• High level of organization and excellent communications skills
• Basic knowledge of physics with respect to electricity, magnetism, and electronic circuits

What Would Be Useful:

• 2+ years of experience using test instrumentation and control components such as: pressure transducers, thermocouples, RTDs, strain gauges, accelerometers, load cells
• Experience designing and executing environmental test campaigns
• Experience mentoring other engineers and/or leading small teams
• Experience with automating test systems and test equipment and proficiency with datalogging, and data processing software 
• Experience with hands-on assembly of basic electromechanical systems
• Experience with Python, C++, object oriented programming

Additional Requirements: 

• Applicant must be willing to work 40 hours a week on-site in El Segundo, California, USA
• Applicant must be eligible to work on ITAR projects
• Job Type: Full-time (Salary)

ITAR Requirements: 

• To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide sponsorship at this time.

Benefits:

• Compensation range of $111,960-$139,950 + equity incentive plan
• 100% employer-paid health insurance (Medical, Dental, Vision) for employees + 50% dependent coverage
• Flexible paid time off policy + 11 paid holidays + 12 paid sick days
• 401(k) retirement account and employer matching (Safe Harbor 4%)
• Hybrid working arrangements
• Paid parental leave
• Relocation assistance available if 50+ miles away from the office
• Casual dress code
• Daily catered lunches, snacks, and accessible kitchen
• & more!

If you don’t meet 100% of the preferred skills and experience, we encourage you to still apply!

Second Order Effects is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SOE is governed on the basis of excellence and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.