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Nominal builds software that lets hardware teams test, iterate, and deploy as fast as software teams.
The Role
The Instrumentation Engineer will develop and deploy software interfaces for test stand instruments and control systems, ensuring effective data acquisition and automation in aerospace and defense environments.
Summary Generated by Built In
About Nominal
Nominal is building the connected test and operations platform powering the world's most advanced hardware systems, from spacecraft and autonomous vehicles to next-generation defense programs. Our platform gives hardware engineering teams a single place to ingest data, analyze performance, automate test execution, and collaborate across every phase of development, so they can move faster without sacrificing safety or precision. We're a fast-moving team that owns problems end-to-end, works across disciplines, and thrives at the intersection of hardware and software.
We serve top-tier commercial and defense customers, from autonomy leaders like Anduril and Shield AI to next-generation aerospace teams like Hermeus and REGENT, and performance engineering teams like Pratt Miller Motorsports, alongside mission partners within the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force on programs where failure isn’t an option. We’re backed by Sequoia, General Catalyst, Founders Fund, Lux Capital, and Lightspeed. Our team draws from SpaceX, Palantir, Anduril, Applied Intuition, and other leading companies, united by a common mission: giving hardware engineers the tools to build the future with speed, safety, and confidence.
We're looking for an Instrumentation Engineer who will play a critical role in integrating Nominal's Connect platform with real-world test environments. You’ll be responsible for developing and deploying software interfaces for test stand instruments, flight computers, and control systems, ensuring seamless data acquisition and automation.
This is a hands-on role, requiring both technical expertise and adaptability. You’ll work directly with customers, writing code that interacts with hardware in a variety of environments—including test stands, clean rooms, and industrial setups. Success in this role requires strong problem-solving skills, the ability to troubleshoot software-to-hardware integrations, and a passion for optimizing test and validation workflows.
🚀 What You’ll Do
- Develop & Deploy: Write Python-based software to interface with customer test stand instruments using SCPI, PyVISA, PySerial, and NI-DAQmx.
- Integrate Systems: Automate data collection and control processes for a wide range of aerospace and defense test environments.
- Support Critical Missions: Work directly with customers to ensure their test setups are optimized and fully operational.
- Problem Solve in Real Time: Troubleshoot hardware-software interfaces in dynamic, high-stakes environments.
- Shape the Future: Define best practices for integrating Connect with real-world hardware, directly influencing Nominal’s product roadmap.
🔍 Who You Are
- Hands-on Hardware Experience: Comfortable working with data acquisition systems (DAQs), flight computers, and test stand instruments.
- Software Proficiency: Strong Python skills, with experience in VISA, SCPI, Serial communication, and systems-level programming (C or Rust).
- Engineering Mindset: Able to read hardware manuals, interpret communication protocols, and implement effective software solutions.
- Problem Solver: Thrive in dynamic environments where troubleshooting and persistence are key.
- Technical Communication: Ability to translate complex system requirements into clear, actionable solutions.
- Experience with Commercial Test Tools: Familiarity with LabVIEW, FlexLogger, or Veristand (nice-to-have).
- Experience in High-Performance Environments: Background in propulsion test stands, flight testing, or experimental physics labs.
- College Engineering Leadership: Former lead of solar car, F1 racing, or robotics teams.
✨ Benefits & Perks
- 🏥 100% coverage of medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 🏖️ Unlimited PTO and sick leave
- 🍽️ Free lunch, snacks, and coffee
- 🚀 Professional Development Stipend
- ✈️ Annual company retreats
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.
ITAR Requirements
To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.
CompensationThe base pay range for this role is $120,000 – $230,000 per year.
Skills Required
- Hands-on experience with data acquisition systems and flight computers
- Strong proficiency in Python programming
- Experience with SCPI, PyVISA, and PySerial
- Ability to read hardware manuals and interpret protocols
- Familiarity with commercial test tools such as LabVIEW or FlexLogger
- Background in propulsion test stands or experimental labs
- Experience in high-performance testing environments
Nominal Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Nominal and has not been reviewed or approved by Nominal.
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Healthcare Strength — 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage is repeatedly described as covering both employees and dependents, indicating unusually strong healthcare provisioning. Additional mentions of “Platinum” coverage reinforce the sense of a high-tier plan offering.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Unlimited PTO and paid holidays/sick time are presented as part of the core package, suggesting broad time-off benefits on paper. Parental leave is also framed as fully paid in several places, reinforcing overall leave breadth.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Wellness stipends, daily gourmet lunch (and sometimes dinner), and periodic retreats are consistently highlighted as meaningful lifestyle perks. Learning/development and other small stipends further round out a perks-heavy total rewards posture.
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The Company
What We Do
Nominal builds the essential software stack that enables hardware teams to test and iterate as rapidly as software teams. Nominal empowers engineers to continuously monitor, validate, and deploy innovations, transforming how mission-critical hardware is built and operated.
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