Jobs at Salient Motion

Plans, writes, and executes mechanical qualification, acceptance, durability, and environmental test campaigns for actuators and integrated LRUs. Designs test fixtures, instrumentation, load setups, and data acquisition configurations; analyzes test data and mechanical failure modes; and drives corrective actions with design engineering. Coordinates outsourced labs, customer acceptance testing, schedules, witness points, and requirements under DO-160G and MIL-STD-810H. Supports development of an in-house qualification laboratory and requires international travel.

Own the full accounting function for an aerospace and defense company, including month-end close, financial reporting, cost accounting, inventory valuation, government contract compliance, AP/AR, cash management, budgeting support, internal controls, audits, tax coordination, and accounting process improvements. The role requires collaboration with the CFO and operational stakeholders in a lean, growing manufacturing environment.

Designs electrical systems and circuit boards for modular motion-control components serving industrial, aerospace, and defense markets. Responsibilities include requirements development, component selection, schematic capture, Altium board layout, manufacturing and test documentation, instrumentation selection, test-data review, design verification testing, and candidate interviews.

Own People Operations infrastructure, including HRIS administration, onboarding, benefits, compliance, immigration coordination, payroll support, employee engagement, and policy management. Support recruiting through job postings, interview scheduling, candidate experience, offer routing, background checks, and Greenhouse and Juicebox administration. This onsite role serves as the first dedicated People Operations hire and supports the full employee lifecycle in a fast-growing aerospace, defense, and robotics startup.

Designs and maintains embedded C firmware for motion-control and motor-drive products. Responsibilities include control firmware architecture, algorithm implementation, code reviews, static analysis, testing, hardware bring-up, debugging, validation, documentation, and verification planning. The engineer collaborates with senior staff in an aerospace environment and develops expertise in motor control, control-loop design, embedded systems, and real-time performance.

Owns electronics category strategy and supplier selection for PCBAs, connectors, power supplies, motor drives, and related assemblies. Leads sourcing, negotiations, supplier risk mitigation, obsolescence management, quality corrective actions, inventory agreements, market monitoring, and make-or-buy analysis. Partners with engineering, program management, and quality while ensuring AS9100, ITAR/EAR, and counterfeit-parts compliance.

Owns the mechanical supply base for actuator product lines, including sourcing precision components and raw materials. Leads supplier selection, RFQs, negotiations, NPI procurement, supplier qualification, audits, cost modeling, corrective actions, and long-term agreements. Partners with engineering on material selection, supports make-or-buy and capacity planning, and ensures compliance with AS9100, ITAR/EAR, traceability, and certification requirements.

Plan, write, and execute electrical qualification and acceptance tests for power electronics and LRUs. Develop DO-160G and MIL-STD-810H test plans/reports, build test setups and DAQ configurations, execute and analyze EMI/EMC and electrical performance testing, manage outsourced lab testing and witness customer tests, and drive root-cause/corrective actions with design and firmware teams.

Lead full-lifecycle design and qualification of rugged electromechanical flight hardware: convert mission needs to requirements, design electromagnetic actuators and precision mechanisms, develop rugged avionics enclosures with thermal and structural survivability, architect DO-160 and MIL-STD-810 qualification testing, lead cross-functional integration, manage suppliers and quality, and personally assemble, test, and debug prototypes.

Lead the design and integration of high-power power conversion hardware for aerospace, including architecture decisions, prototype testing, and collaboration with various teams.

Design production hardware, test equipment, and electromechanical systems from concept to production. Develop design requirements across the organization, select and manage contract manufacturers, and work with PCBAs and electronics enclosures. Use CAD (NX or similar), apply DFM and GD&T to ensure manufacturability.

The role involves creating detailed drawings for manufacturing using CAD tools, ensuring proper tolerances, and optimizing designs for fabrication in aerospace and automotive fields.

Develop embedded firmware in C for STM32 microcontrollers, bring up and debug hardware, work with RTOS and communication peripherals, support motor and actuator verification, and collaborate on board-level debugging using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and JTAG/SWD tools. Majority on-site in Torrance, CA.

The Mechanical Engineer will design production hardware and test equipment, analyze electromechanical systems, and manage contract manufacturers.