{"id":857721,"url":"https://alion.io/job/chariotdefense-test-engineer-hardware-and-systems","title":"Test Engineer, Hardware and Systems","company":{"id":673748,"name":"Chariot Defense","domain":"chariotdefense.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/chariotdefense","size_band":"51-200","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Greenhouse","truth_index":{"grade":"D","score":46,"open_postings":10,"ghost_share":0.9,"stale_share":0,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":null,"computed_at":"2026-11-09T06:03:00Z"}},"role":"Industrial Engineering","role_family":"Industrial Engineering","seniority":"middle","employment_type":null,"work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"explicit","locations":["San Bruno, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":97000,"max_usd":177000,"period":"year","method":"role_seniority_country_remote_cell","sample_n":4330},"experience_years_min":3,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"DO-160","optional":false},{"name":"MATLAB","optional":false},{"name":"Python","optional":false},{"name":"Simulink","optional":false},{"name":"SolidWorks","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-06-08T18:08:43Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-09-30","last_verified_at":"2026-11-10T06:16:27Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":154,"trust":{"level":"stale","repost_count":0,"flags":["stale"],"days_open":154},"description":"About Us \nChariot Defense is a defense technology company that designs and manufactures a family of power products for the U.S. military and its allies. We believe that credible deterrence of armed conflict and winning if deterrence fails, requires more than just the best drones, sensors, weapons, electronic warfare systems, and command & control capabilities. Those critical components will require sustained electric power in austere and resource-constrained environments. Moreover, military units must be able to turn off the trucks and generators that generate this power to hide and survive. In other words, power generation must be decoupled from power consumption. Chariot Defense’s products enable exactly this capability, allowing U.S. and allied militaries to be more lethal and survivable. We hope you will join us on this mission.\nAbout the Role \nChariot Defense is looking for a Test Engineer to own hardware validation across our power systems across mechanical, electrical, thermal, power electronics and controls, performing component-level all the way to full system integration testing in environmental and operational conditions. You'll sit at the intersection of hardware, firmware, and systems engineering, building the test infrastructure and executing the validation strategy that gets Amphora and future cutting-edge products in energy and power storage, and mobility, from prototype to fielded.\nOur team comes from Tesla, Anduril, Apple, Archer, and the U.S. military. We build hardware that operators depend on in the field - and we validate it like lives depend on it, because they do. We emerged from stealth in 2025, are already fielded across DoD exercises, and are backed by General Catalyst, a16z, and DCVC. This is a high-ownership, high-impact, hands-on role. You'll write the test plan, build the fixture, develop the electronics, controls, and firmware, run the test, triage the failure, and close the loop with design.\nKey Responsibilities \nDesign, build, instrument, and automate test equipment for electrical, mechanical, thermal and environmental validation of hardware - batteries, inverters, DC-DC converters, controllers/ ECUs, distribution units, and integrated Amphora systems\nOwn hardware unit-level test station development: design specialized automated test equipment (ATE), write test scripts, and maintain test coverage as hardware evolves\nExecute component, subsystem, and system-level validation across electrical, thermal, and mechanical dimensions - including high-voltage characterization and fault injection\nDevelop and run environmental test programs per MIL, energy, and automotive specs: temperature cycling, vibration, shock, ingress, corrosion etc.\nCollaborate with firmware engineers to validate embedded control logic, power management algorithms, and system behavior under real and edge-case conditions\nInterface with design engineers to identify failure modes early, generate DVP&R entries, and drive design changes based on test findings\nBuild and maintain DAQ systems; automate data collection and post-processing pipelines in Python, LabVIEW, Matlab/ Simulink or similar tools.\nSupport HIL/SIL validation setups; correlate bench test data with simulation models to close the loop on design confidence\nHelp establish Chariot's test lab infrastructure - equipment selection, calibration processes, safety protocols, and documentation standards\nWhat We’reLooking For \nRequired:\n\nBS or MS in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, or related field\nExperience in an immersive system design project or research study/ thesis, in collegiate project teams (e.g.: FSAE, BAJA, Hyper-mileage/ Solar Vehicles), other extracurricular participation, or professional settings.\n3+ years of hands-on hardware test and validation experience - electronics/ ECUs, power electronics and power systems, Lithium-ion based batteries, or high-density embedded hardware\nProficiency with electrical test equipment: oscilloscopes, power supplies, DAQs, multimeters, function generators, electronic loads\nExperience designing or contributing to automated test equipment (ATE) or test station development\nProficiency in Python, LabVIEW or other automated test platforms for test automation, data acquisition, and post-processing\nSolid understanding of mechanical, thermal, electrical, and controls first principles and fundamentals\nFamiliarity with CAN, SPI, I2C, LIN, UART, or other embedded communication protocols and the ability to use them for test and debug\nExperience working safely with high-voltage systems\nQualifications \nRequired: \nBS or MS in Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent work experience.\nExperience in an immersive system design project or research study/ thesis, in collegiate project teams (e.g.: SAE, FSAE, BAJA, others), other extracurricular participation, or professional settings.\nA minimum of 2+ years of experience in a technical engineering, design, or product role in a professional setting.\nProven 3D CAD skills (any platform, but SOLIDWORKS preferred), as well as CAE/ FEA experience, and the ability to produce high-quality engineering 2D drawings that comply with common industry standards (e.g.: GD&T, ASME standards etc.)\nStrong understanding of engineering fundamentals in structures, materials, fluids and aero, thermal, controls, mechanics/ dynamics, system modeling, and fundamentals of physics.\nManufacturing knowledge & experience with machine shops (sheet metal, CNC, lathe, sand casting, forging, die-casting etc.).\nRapid prototyping background (structures/electronics/software) & 3D printing knowledge.\nProficient in hands-on prototyping (machining, shop tools, welding, soldering), and demonstrated hands-on fabrication skills.\nFamiliarity with MIL-STD, DO-160, or other automotive, defense, and aerospace standards.\nPreferred: \nTop-notch engineering intuition and first principles thinking toward designing complex products\nAble to independently identify critical information or priority gaps and apply effort toward closing those gaps.Undaunted by imperfect, incomplete or absent datasets or information, and capable of making sound, comprehensive, and swift first-principled decisions.\nNot satisfied by superficial explanations of a problem or “band-aid engineering”; seeks persistently to find the specific root causeGratified by helping your peers succeed, building a robust team culture, and propagating deep camaraderie amongst your peers.\n\nSeeks to break down information silos by collaborating rigorously with others to solve problems, share knowledge, and provide input\nOwns your test from requirements to execution - you don't wait for someone else to define the problem\nEffectively communicates across hardware, firmware, and systems teams without needing a translator\nYou understand that in defense hardware, \"good enough\" isn't a concept - and you build your test coverage accordingly\nRole Requirements\nThis position is an onsite role based in Chariot Defense’s San Bruno, CA, office. \nWillingness to support 10% travel, domestically and internationally, as well as work extended and weekend hours, when necessary \nAble to work on your feet for extended periods in a shop setting. \nAble to lift and carry 50lbs. \nA reasonable estimate of the current salary range is $120,000-$160,000 annually. Compensation packages also include early-stage equity and access to company-sponsored benefit plans.\nIndividual compensation packages are based on geographic location, scope of the role, relevant experience, and the ability to deal with complexity and problem solve within our organization, among other factors. \nAll employees are required to provide proof of authorization to work in the U.S. within their first 3 days of work. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. \nAny unsolicited resumes/candidate profiles submitted through our website or to personal email accounts of employees of Chariot Defense are considered property of Chariot Defense and are not subject to payment of agency fees.","description_format":"text","description_chars":8150,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":3,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Equity"],"hiring_locations":[{"name":"United States","iso":"US","kind":"country"}],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Defense Manufacturing","Defense AI"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-09-13T07:41:52Z"}],"visa":[{"country":"US","licensed_sponsor":true,"adverts_offering_sponsorship_24m":0,"sanctioned_now":false,"evidence":"H-1B filings in 12 months: 1","filings_12m":1,"filings_prev_12m":0,"green_card_filings_12m":0,"median_offered_wage_usd":377500,"route":null,"cap_exempt":false,"checked_at":"2026-11-09T07:32:21+00:00","sources":["US Department of Labor: LCA disclosure data (H-1B, H-1B1, E-3)"],"filings_for_role_12m":0}],"liveness":{"score":6,"band":"cold","label":"Long shot","p_open":1,"p_active":0.205,"p_room":0.28,"age_days":153,"expected_fill_days":30,"reasons":["conf:1","stale_co","ghost","win:tail","crowd:"],"computed_at":"2026-11-09T06:03:00Z"},"pay":null,"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/chariotdefense-test-engineer-hardware-and-systems","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/chariotdefense-test-engineer-hardware-and-systems.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-11-10T06:53:51Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":16063,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-11-11T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.1,"usd":0.01,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":673748},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=673748"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Fchariotdefense-test-engineer-hardware-and-systems"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":2,"usd":0.2},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Fchariotdefense-test-engineer-hardware-and-systems"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.1,"usd":0.01},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Fchariotdefense-test-engineer-hardware-and-systems"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/chariotdefense-test-engineer-hardware-and-systems\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fchariotdefense-test-engineer-hardware-and-systems"}],"agent":{"mcp":"https://alion.io/mcp/jobs","mcp_open":"https://alion.io/mcp/open","next":[{"tool":"get_job","arguments":{"id":857721}},{"tool":"search_jobs","arguments":{"company":"chariotdefense.com","detail":"compact"}},{"tool":"match_people","arguments":{"job_id":857721},"note":"people open to offers who fit this vacancy"}],"note":"The same data through MCP tools: https://alion.io/mcp/open needs no sign-in (compact searches, postings, people); https://alion.io/mcp with an Alion account has everything. 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