Junior Propulsion Component Test Engineer
Junior Propulsion Component Test Engineer at Amca — El Segundo, CA, US
- Company: Amca
- Location: El Segundo, CA, US
- Salary: $100,000–$130,000 a year
- Posted: 2026-07-16
About this role
There was a time when all of America believed that the future of the physical world could be radically different. The engineers of the mid-1900s put a man on the moon in eight years, designed and built planes and submarines from scratch in under three, and conceived of building things we wouldn’t even be able to dream up today.
Today, the last of the engineers who imagined and built these systems are retiring. As they go, we lose not only the engineering knowledge gained from their decades of imagination and trial-and-error, but also the spirit that made that imagination possible.
Amca is working day-in and day-out to restore America’s ability to engineer anything that our critical systems depend on, and reinvigorate the cycle of creation that allows imagination to shape physical reality. We rapidly develop and manufacture new critical components and subsystems required to build and sustain the planes, military vehicles, and core infrastructure America needs. By restoring the capability of our antiquated supply chains, we increase the country’s capacity to imagine and realize new systems, and make a physical world that looks very different from today.
Overview
The Junior Propulsion Component Test Engineer supports the verification and qualification testing of Amca's propulsion control hardware under the direction of senior test engineers. You will help set up test rigs, run tests, and reduce data on hydraulic and pneumatic hardware. This is an entry-level role for an engineer who wants to build a strong foundation in hardware test and measurement.
Responsibilities
Test Support
- Assist in building test rigs, fixtures, and fluid loops under senior direction.
- Set up instrumentation and data acquisition and verify measurement channels.
- Follow test procedures and help refine them based on setup experience.
Test Execution
- Run flow, pressure, leakage, and endurance tests under supervision.
- Support qualification and environmental testing against defined requirements.
- Follow test safety practices for high-pressure and hazardous-fluid operations.
Data and Development
- Reduce and plot test data and help identify trends and anomalies.
- Draft sections of test reports and maintain test records.
- Build test and measurement fundamentals through mentorship and hands-on work.
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related technical discipline.
- 0 to 2 years of engineering experience, including internships or co-ops.
- Familiarity with test instrumentation, sensors, and data acquisition concepts.
- Working knowledge of propulsion or mechanical systems fundamentals.
- Strong attention to detail and a methodical, safety-minded approach to lab work.
Preferred Qualifications
- Coursework or project experience in instrumentation, controls, or fluid mechanics.
- Exposure to LabVIEW or comparable data acquisition tools.
- Internship or lab experience in aerospace, defense, or high-reliability hardware.
- Familiarity with test procedures and engineering documentation.
Annual Salary Range
$100,000—$130,000 USD
This position requires use of information which is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All applicants must be U.S. persons within the meaning of ITAR. ITAR defines a US person as: any individual who is granted U.S. citizenship; or. any individual who is granted U.S. permanent residence ("Green Card" holder); or. any individual who is granted status as a "protected person" under 8 U.S.C 1324b(a)(3).
The Advanced Manufacturing Company of America prohibits discrimination or harassment based on the following categories: race, color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 years and over), sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status, protected medical leaves (requesting or approved for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act or the California Family Rights Act), domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, and any other status protected by state or federal law.
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