About Company:
Element U.S. Space & Defense stands at the forefront of testing innovation, serving as a trusted partner to NASA, the U.S. Department of Defense, government agencies, and prominent industry leaders across the space and defense sectors. Founded as NTS Technical Systems, our company brings over 60 years of experience and expertise in handling the most complex projects and programs in the world.
From centrifuge testing for the latest Mars rover, vibration testing for the Space Launch System (SLS), to environmental simulations for next-generation missiles, we are the pioneering partner for highly custom, end-to-end testing design and implementation. By advancing our state-of-the-art testing technologies, subject matter expertise, and service to critical missions, Element U.S. Space & Defense has become the go-to partner for ground-breaking industries.
What We Offer:
Growth & Development:
- Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.
- A collaborative and innovative work environment.
- The chance to work on groundbreaking projects that shape the future of space and defense.
Benefits:
Employees are eligible to participate in the benefits offered throughout their availability, including the following:
- Medical, Dental, Vision, Short- and Long-Term Disability, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts
- Seven (7) paid holidays and four (4) paid floating holidays, depending on your hire date
- Paid Time Off (PTO), accrued biweekly
- 401k with employer match
- Twelve (12) hours of Paid Volunteer Time Off (PVTO) each year
- Tuition reimbursement and other employee programs
- Flexible schedules offered at some of our labs
- Monthly Lab Bonus plans (Based on position)
Salary:
At EUSSD, compensation is determined through a comprehensive approach that considers candidate qualifications, role responsibilities, market benchmarks, and organizational needs. Pay may vary by location; for this position, the annual base salary target range is $86,000–$96,000, with potential eligibility for bonuses or commission depending on the role.
POSITION SUMMARY:
This position will play a pivotal role in supporting our customer requirements for test which, depending on the test program, can include test design, design and analysis of test fixture or tooling, test support/oversight, data and report review, and customer support through the program.
Accelerate Your Engineering Career:
As part of our commitment to developing the next generation of engineering talent, Engineer I candidates will participate in a structured Technical Rotation Program (TRP) designed to provide broad exposure to our core testing disciplines. This immersive experience gives engineers the opportunity to work alongside industry experts, contribute to real customer programs, and develop a comprehensive understanding of the complex test environments that support critical space and defense missions.
During the rotation program, engineers will spend time in each of our primary technical departments:
- Environmental & Climatic Testing – Evaluate product performance under extreme temperature, humidity, altitude, and environmental conditions.
- Dynamics Testing – Support vibration, shock, and mechanical integrity testing for aerospace and defense hardware.
- Pyroshock Testing – Gain exposure to high-frequency shock environments that simulate explosive and stage-separation events encountered in flight systems.
- Acoustic Testing – Learn how hardware is qualified against the intense sound pressure environments experienced during launch and operation.
- Design & Analysis – Bring ideas from concept to reality by designing custom fixtures, tooling, and test equipment to support the test programs. Engineers will apply CAD, analysis, and problem-solving skills to develop creative solutions, evaluate performance, and support the successful execution of environmental, dynamics, pyroshock, and acoustic testing.
Participants will work directly with experienced engineers, assist in test design and execution, analyze data, and contribute to customer deliverables. The program is designed to build technical depth, broaden engineering perspective, and help identify the area where each engineer can make the greatest impact.
Upon completion of the rotation program, engineers will be equipped with a unique understanding of our main test capabilities and the confidence to support some of the most advanced aerospace and defense programs in the world. Initially the engineer will receive detailed instructions on tasks for test programs with a growth path towards leading test programs with supervision from the Engineering Manager.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES – After Completion of the TRP:
- Test Design - Use Engineering principles to design a test based on Customer SOWs and Test Standards
- Perform Testing - Provide technical support/oversight to Technicians as tests are conducted. Ensure that all necessary data is captured. May also run tests themselves.
- Data Processing - After test completion, review and interpret test data. Communicate findings to Program Manager and/or customer
- Other - Perform other duties as assigned
Minimum Qualifications:
- Undergraduate or graduate degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or Physics.
- Strong mathematical and engineering skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to tolerate stress and work in a fast paced environment
- Ability to share skills and knowledge with others, work in a team environment, and delegate responsibility
- Experience developing CAD models in SOLIDWORKS.
- Excellent computer skills and experience with Microsoft Office Products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.)
- Extensive background check and US Citizenship will be required and must meet eligibility requirements for access to sensitive information
- Ability to work at the Santa Clarita, CA facility full time.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Test lab with exposure to sudden, loud noises
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; climb stairs; balance; stoop; kneel; crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
EEO POLICY STATEMENT:
It is the policy of NTS to offer Equal Employment Opportunity to all individuals without regards to race, creed, ancestry, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, physical disabilities, pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions.
Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V
Skills Required
- Undergraduate or graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or Physics
- Strong mathematical and engineering skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to tolerate stress and work in a fast-paced environment
- Ability to share skills and knowledge, work in a team environment, and delegate responsibility
- Experience developing CAD models in SOLIDWORKS
- Excellent computer skills and experience with Microsoft Office products
- Extensive background check
- U.S. citizenship and eligibility for access to sensitive information
- Ability to work full time at the Santa Clarita, California facility
- Ability to occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds and perform required physical activities
What We Do
Element U.S. Space & Defense provides specialized testing, engineering, inspection, and certification services for mission-critical government, military, space, aerospace, and commercial programs. Its engineers conduct highly customized end-to-end testing, including vibration and dynamics, ordnance, hydraulics, EMI/EMC, environmental simulation, non-destructive, mechanical, and ballistics testing. The company supports NASA, the U.S. Department of Defense, government agencies, and industry customers in qualifying products and evaluating performance under demanding conditions.
