We are an early-stage, maritime defense technology startup backed by top tier investors. Our team is designing and building autonomous and highly producible ships that can serve multiple missions on the open ocean.
Role Summary
We’re seeking a Component Test Engineer to help verify and characterize hardware components and subassemblies before they become part of an integrated vehicle. This role is hands-on and systems-minded: you’ll build test setups, execute procedures, collect high-quality data, and feed results back into design. The work follows aerospace-style test and evaluation practices where safety, traceability, and repeatable results are essential.
What You’ll Do
- Execute component and subsystem tests (electro-mechanical, sensors, actuators, power, thermal/vibe screening as appropriate).
- Design and improve test fixtures and harnessing, including safe power-up procedures and instrumentation plans.
- Write clear test procedures, acceptance criteria, and data-logging requirements; maintain configuration/version records for test setups.
- Collect, sanity-check, and summarize test data (plots, pass/fail, anomalies); support root cause investigations and re-test loops.
- Coordinate with design engineers and technicians to prioritize test queues and unblock builds with fast, credible feedback.
- Support environmental and reliability thinking (what could fail, how to provoke it safely, what signals prove it).
Who You Are
- BS in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace Engineering (or similar) with internship/project experience in labs.
- Comfortable with basic test equipment (power supplies, DMMs, oscilloscopes, DAQ, sensors) and careful documentation.
- Strong attention to detail and a bias for repeatable setups and clean data.
- Able to communicate results clearly to engineers and non-test stakeholders.
Nice to Haves
- Experience scripting for data capture/automation (Python/MATLAB/LabVIEW).
- Familiarity with aerospace-style verification: procedure discipline, traceability, and configuration management.
What We Offer
- Incredibly high-caliber teammates. You’ll work directly with our co-founders Rylan, Scott, and Austin.
- A fast-paced, creative working environment that offers a lot of room for ownership and growth.
- Opportunity to join a meaningful mission that protects American and our Democracy.
- Salary Range: $65,000 - $80,000 annual base salary (final compensation will depend on experience and skill level
- Startup equity options
- Generous PTO, medical, dental, and free vision coverage.
Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export controlled information or facilities. By applying, you confirm that you are a U.S. Person and can provide acceptable documentation verifying your status if selected.
Blue Water Autonomy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. All employment decisions—including recruitment, hiring, promotion, compensation, benefits, and termination—are made based on qualifications, merit, and business need.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace Engineering, or a similar field
- Internship or project experience in laboratory environments
- Comfort using power supplies, digital multimeters, oscilloscopes, data acquisition equipment, and sensors
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to repeatable setups and clean data
- Ability to communicate test results clearly to engineers and non-test stakeholders
- U.S. Person status and ability to provide acceptable documentation
- Experience scripting data capture or automation with Python, MATLAB, or LabVIEW
- Familiarity with aerospace-style verification, procedure discipline, traceability, and configuration management
What We Do
We’re building autonomous ships for the U.S. Navy and commercial customers. Our team has launched 100+ hardware products, built some of America’s most complex ships, and fielded millions of robots. Some of these are in use in your home, others on Ukraine’s battlefields. We don’t doubt that building ships with no human crew will be tough. We like tough.
