About the job
About Us:
Aurelius Systems is an innovative, VC-backed defense technology startup focused on developing autonomous robotics systems capable of utilizing directed energy for counter-unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
Our mission is to create cutting-edge laser weapon systems designed to neutralize drones.
Comprising a dedicated team of around 10 engineers, including former U.S. military operators and industry experts, we are committed to advancing America's directed energy capabilities with our reliable and robust laser weapon systems.
Inspired by the principles of Marcus Aurelius, we adhere to a philosophy of relentless work ethic, much like Henry Ford's transformative approach to manufacturing. Our operational style emphasizes small teams delivering exceptional results without shying away from ambitious goals.
With a lab and office in San Francisco and a manufacturing hub in Detroit, we conduct field tests weekly on our expansive, 400-acre private range.
If you are an engineer who prefers practical applications of your work in real-world environments rather than confined lab settings, we invite you to continue reading.
Your Role & Impact:
As a Test Engineer, your primary responsibility will be to determine the functionality and performance of our systems across all layers. We are transitioning from prototype to production for an electromechanical directed energy system, and the test infrastructure you develop will serve as the cornerstone for our future products. You will be tasked with creating test benches from the ground up, ensuring they accurately simulate real-world conditions.
You will lead the verification and validation processes for embedded firmware, power electronics, electromechanical assemblies, and full-system integration.
Your work will directly influence every field test and demonstration, ensuring we arrive with a functional product.
Your Responsibilities:
Design and construct Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) and Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) test environments for embedded controllers, actuators, sensors, and power systems.
Conduct performance, reliability, and safety testing at the system level, integrating hardware and firmware evaluations.
Develop comprehensive test plans, acceptance criteria, and readiness gates as we progress from prototype to production.
Write automated testing procedures in Python, creating your own regression suites without relying on external tooling.
Oversee all aspects of field testing: setup, operation, data collection, teardown, post-test analysis, and documentation of failures.
Debug across the entire stack of the system.

