{"schemaVersion":"jobsearcher.job.v1","id":"06baddc6c56ad971e3701a0c","url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/06baddc6c56ad971e3701a0c","canonicalUrl":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/06baddc6c56ad971e3701a0c","title":"Senior Prototype & Test Engineer","description":"Senior Prototype & Test EngineerLocation: Full-time On-Site (CA)Type: Full-Time | Founding Team OpportunityFloat is an early-stage aerospace company developing advanced airship systems for large-scale cargo applications. We are focused on solving hard aerospace problems and translating ambitious concepts into real, tested hardware. Our team is small, execution-driven, and building a new airship platform from first principles.The RoleAs Senior Prototype & Test Engineer, you will be responsible for building, testing, and iterating on early hardware for Float’s airship platform. This is a deeply hands-on role for an engineer who enjoys turning designs into physical reality, pushing hardware to its limits, and feeding real-world data back into design decisions.You will work closely with mechanical, structures, propulsion, and avionics engineers to ensure prototypes are built correctly, tested rigorously, and improved quickly.ResponsibilitiesBuild and assemble prototypes and proof-of-concept hardware, including scale models and early flight-relevant componentsDesign and fabricate test fixtures, rigs, and instrumentation to support subsystem and system-level testingExecute hands-on testing to validate structural, mechanical, and system performanceCollect, analyze, and document test data to inform design iterationIdentify failure modes and work with design engineers to implement improvementsSupport integration, assembly, and troubleshooting during prototype build phasesAssist in developing test plans, validation procedures, and safety protocolsMaintain an organized, safe, and efficient prototype and test environmentQualificationsDegree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related engineering field, or equivalent hands-on experienceStrong background in prototyping, fabrication, and experimental testingProven experience building and testing complex physical systemsComfortable working with tools, fixtures, and instrumentation in a shop or lab environmentAbility to interpret engineering drawings and translate them into physical hardwareStrong problem-solving skills and attention to detailComfortable working in fast-moving, early-stage environmentsNice to HaveExperience with aerospace, UAVs, robotics, or experimental hardware programsFamiliarity with structural testing, instrumentation, and data acquisitionExperience building scale models or test articlesPrior experience at a startup or skunkworks-style engineering teamWhy Join UsThis is a rare opportunity to shape the core engineering DNA of a company redefining how cargo moves across the planet. You’ll take on meaningful responsibility early, build groundbreaking vehicles, and grow alongside a world-class team pioneering the future of sustainable air mobility.","company":"Float","rawCompany":"float","city":"Corona","state":"CA","isRemote":false,"isActive":false,"createdAt":"2026-04-12T17:28:46.847Z","occupations":[{"code":"17-2011.00","title":"Aerospace Engineers","slug":"aerospace-engineers"},{"code":"17-2199.00","title":"Engineers, All Other","slug":"engineers-all-other"},{"code":"17-2141.00","title":"Mechanical Engineers","slug":"mechanical-engineers"}],"industries":[{"code":"336411","title":"Aircraft Manufacturing","slug":"aircraft-manufacturing"},{"code":"541715","title":"Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)","slug":"research-and-development-in-the-physical-engineering-and-life-sciences-except-nanotechnology-and-biotechnology"},{"code":"336414","title":"Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing","slug":"guided-missile-and-space-vehicle-manufacturing"}],"jobPosting":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Senior Prototype & Test Engineer","description":"Senior Prototype & Test EngineerLocation: Full-time On-Site (CA)Type: Full-Time | Founding Team OpportunityFloat is an early-stage aerospace company developing advanced airship systems for large-scale cargo applications. We are focused on solving hard aerospace problems and translating ambitious concepts into real, tested hardware. Our team is small, execution-driven, and building a new airship platform from first principles.The RoleAs Senior Prototype & Test Engineer, you will be responsible for building, testing, and iterating on early hardware for Float’s airship platform. This is a deeply hands-on role for an engineer who enjoys turning designs into physical reality, pushing hardware to its limits, and feeding real-world data back into design decisions.You will work closely with mechanical, structures, propulsion, and avionics engineers to ensure prototypes are built correctly, tested rigorously, and improved quickly.ResponsibilitiesBuild and assemble prototypes and proof-of-concept hardware, including scale models and early flight-relevant componentsDesign and fabricate test fixtures, rigs, and instrumentation to support subsystem and system-level testingExecute hands-on testing to validate structural, mechanical, and system performanceCollect, analyze, and document test data to inform design iterationIdentify failure modes and work with design engineers to implement improvementsSupport integration, assembly, and troubleshooting during prototype build phasesAssist in developing test plans, validation procedures, and safety protocolsMaintain an organized, safe, and efficient prototype and test environmentQualificationsDegree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related engineering field, or equivalent hands-on experienceStrong background in prototyping, fabrication, and experimental testingProven experience building and testing complex physical systemsComfortable working with tools, fixtures, and instrumentation in a shop or lab environmentAbility to interpret engineering drawings and translate them into physical hardwareStrong problem-solving skills and attention to detailComfortable working in fast-moving, early-stage environmentsNice to HaveExperience with aerospace, UAVs, robotics, or experimental hardware programsFamiliarity with structural testing, instrumentation, and data acquisitionExperience building scale models or test articlesPrior experience at a startup or skunkworks-style engineering teamWhy Join UsThis is a rare opportunity to shape the core engineering DNA of a company redefining how cargo moves across the planet. You’ll take on meaningful responsibility early, build groundbreaking vehicles, and grow alongside a world-class team pioneering the future of sustainable air mobility.","datePosted":"2026-04-12T17:28:46.847Z","dateModified":"2026-04-12T17:28:46.847Z","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Float","sameAs":"https://jobsearcher.com"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Corona","addressRegion":"CA","addressCountry":"US"}},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"JobSearcher","value":"06baddc6c56ad971e3701a0c"},"url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/06baddc6c56ad971e3701a0c"}}