Test Equipment Engineer, Sr.
AeroVironment · Simi Valley, CA
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Base pay
- $123k–$187k
- Degree
- Required (or equivalent experience)
- Experience asked
- 12+ years
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level manufacturing role at AeroVironment (aerospace & defense) in Simi Valley, CA. Develop a variety of power conversion devices, motor control systems and avionics from early stages of design through final testing and manufacturing support.
- They ask for
- 12+ years · degree required (or equivalent experience)
- Tools it names
- Root cause
- Base pay
- $123k–$187k
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Manufacturing Engineer roles in California: typical posted base $114k–$167k. This one lists $123k–$187k.
Median of the low and high ends of 117 live postings that list pay, out of 320 manufacturing engineer openings in California, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
California plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 319 other live manufacturing postings in California.
- Base pay
- About 16% above similar roles
- Experience asked
- More than usual (12+ vs 5+)
Typical $111k–$157k, from 104 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Tooling 53%
- New product launch 51%
- ✓ Root cause 40%
- Automation 35%
- Machining 29%
- CATIA / NX 29%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Manufacturing team at AeroVironment
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: AeroVironment in Simi Valley
13 other open roles at this site.
- Production Technician II · Production · Technician
- Director, Planning and Production Control · Controls · Director+
- Production Technician III · Production · Technician
- Operational Excellence Manager · Lean / CI · Manager
- Material Control Specialist III · Controls · Senior
- Quality Technician II · Quality · Technician
Full description from AeroVironmentAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
- ◆Designs, develops, deploys, troubleshoots and upgrades test equipment used in testing PCBAs, sub-systems, and systems
- ◆This position requires C# / OOP software development using Visual Studio IDE. Experience in NI TestStand & LabVIEW is also required
- ◆Develops test plans, requirements/specifications and strategies
- ◆Analyzes, processes, and formats test results
- ◆Independently drives for results & consistently meets deliverables on projects with aggressive timelines
- ◆Works with diverse teams across multiple disciplines
- ◆Provides timely feedback to the product design team to improve the testability of design
- ◆Develop a variety of power conversion devices, motor control systems and avionics from early stages of design through final testing and manufacturing support
- ◆Execute functional, performance and environmental tests on avionics power & propulsion components
- ◆Uses professional concepts and company objectives to resolve complex issues in creative and effective ways. Works on complex issues where analysis of data requires an in-depth evaluation of intangibles
- ◆Determines methods and procedures on new assignments and may coordinate activities of other team members (Team Lead)
- ◆Other duties as assigned
Basic
(Required Skills & Experience)
- ✓B.S. degree in Electrical or Software Engineering is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
- ✓Minimum of 8 – 12 years of experience in development test solutions used in a manufacturing production environment and experience with NI TestStand and LabVIEW or certified.
- ✓Experienced in writing Test Plans based on functional
requirements
and technical specifications
- ✓Experienced in writing bug reports and root-cause analyses
- ✓Ability to generate cost and lead time estimates based on different levels of specifications at different life cycle stages of a project
- ✓Comprehensive knowledge of engineering disciplines including mechanical and electrical design, material properties, and test instrumentation
- ✓Strong proficiency in planning, writing, and executing test specifications
- ✓Demonstrated strong knowledge of various manual and automated testing methodologies at all stages of product development
- ✓Strong testing knowledge & ability to use latest testing technology and standards
Other
requirements
of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A “U.S. person” according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.
Benefits : AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits .
We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.
Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.
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Worker Type
Regular
Job Description
Summary
The Sr. Test Equipment Engineer designs, develops and implements cost-effective methods of testing and troubleshooting systems and equipment for all phases of product development and manufacturing. In this role, one supports the integration and testing of unmanned aircraft systems and payloads.
Position
& Desired Competencies
- +M.S. degree preferred
- +Experience designing PXI based test system with NI TestStand as test executive, LabVIEW as ADE
- +National Instruments LabVIEW & TestStand Architect Certified (preferred)
- +Radio Frequency (RF) test experience preferred
- +Experienced in Object Oriented Programming (C# programming using Visual Studio IDE a plus)
- +Exercises sound judgement in selecting methods, techniques & evaluation criteria for obtaining results
- +Strong quality, risk quantification, and technical leadership skills
- +Possesses effective problem resolution, judgment & decision making skills
- +Strong oral and written communications skills
- +Able to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, where small teams share a broad variety of duties
- +Displays strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives
- +Takes ownership and responsibility for current and past work products
- +Is committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, others, and the company
- +Focused on teamwork, collaboration and putting the success of the team above one's own interests
Physical Demands
- •Ability to work in an office and manufacturing environment (Constant)
- •Required to sit and stand for long periods (Frequent)
- •Required to talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent)
- •Able to lift up to 10 lbs. and carry objects of varying sizes and shapes (Occasional)
Clearance Level
No Clearance
ITAR Requirement
This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the
About AV
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