Test Engineer

# Test Engineer

## About Matter Intelligence

Matter Intelligence is building the future of vision AI: pairing a world-first sensor that sees molecular chemistry, temperature, and 3D shape with a Large World Model — the most powerful intelligence engine for the physical world. Our team has delivered technologies to Mars for NASA/JPL, co-founded infrastructure for OpenAI, designed sensors for U.S. Defense, and invented core algorithms for spectral and 3D imaging.

## About the Role

This role sits at the boundary of Engineering and Operations. You’ll keep sensor platforms flight-ready, execute data collection campaigns, support flight software V&V, and perform electrical integration across airborne and ground-based systems. You will work directly with sensor engineers, satellite systems designers, flight software developers, and leadership. You own problems end-to-end — pre-flight checkout through data delivery through post-flight reporting. This is a field-forward role for an engineer with strong fundamentals who can operate with autonomy and deliver results scientists and customers depend on.

## Key Responsibilities

UAS Operations & Sensor Deployment

• Deploy Lidar, VNIR, SWIR hyperspectral sensors on drone platforms for field campaigns.
• Maintain and operate DJI and Harris and Autel UAS platforms including pre-flight inspections, firmware updates, and hardware repairs.
• Design mission and flight plans including waypoints, sensor triggering, altitude, and overlap parameters.
• Coordinate post-collection data uploads, quality checks, and ground-truth field measurements.

Calibration, Test & Integration

• Support radiometric, geometric, and spectral calibration of imaging payloads.
• Perform integration, checkout, and acceptance testing of sensor payloads on UAS and ground-based test bed platforms.
• Troubleshoot hardware, software, and interface anomalies. Contribute to test procedures, test reports, and review boards per NASA or equivalent standards.

Flight Software V&V

• Support flight software verification and validation: test scope definition, planning, execution, reporting, and formal documentation.
• Debug flight software anomalies across software, firmware, and hardware interfaces. Maintain defect tracking and contribute to root cause analysis.

Electrical Integration

• Support cable harnessing, connector mating, power distribution, signal verification, and interface testing between sensors, avionics, and compute elements.
• Perform bench and system-level troubleshooting using oscilloscopes, multimeters, and logic analyzers. Read and interpret schematics, wiring diagrams, and ICDs.

## Qualifications

Required

• B.S. in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering (accredited, 3.0+ GPA).
• 2+ years operating multi-rotor UAS platforms in field environments.
• Experience with Lidar, hyperspectral, or multispectral imaging sensors.
• Ability to read electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and ICDs.
• Familiarity with software V&V processes: test planning, execution, defect tracking, reporting.
• Clear communicator. Willing to travel up to 30% and work at remote field sites.

Preferred

• Experience with hyperspectral drone systems.
• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
• Experience with mission planning software and GPS/RTK systems.
• Working knowledge of GIS or spectral processing tools (ENVI, ERDAS, QGIS).
• Prior NASA JPL, USGS, DOE, or DoD test bed or field campaign experience.
• Familiarity with NASA 7120 standards, TVAC, vibration, or EMI/EMC testing.
• Experience with embedded systems, RTOS, or flight software debug tools.
• Hands-on soldering, crimping, wire routing, and continuity testing.
• Active or obtainable U.S. security clearance.

## What Success Looks Like

• Within 60 days, you’ve supported a full campaign from flight planning through data delivery and QA.
• Your calibration and test records are clean, traceable, and audit-ready.
• You’ve completed at least one flight software V&V cycle with documented results.
• The team trusts you to prep, fly, and deliver quality data without supervision.

## Location & ITAR

El Segundo, CA. Onsite required; field deployments as needed. Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or eligible for U.S. Department of State authorization.

## Benefits

• Compensation: Competitive total package.
• Equity: Early-stage equity in Matter’s growth.
• Health: 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision.
• Growth: Exposure across hardware, software, science, and commercial teams.