Senior Test Facilities Specialist

The Senior Test Facilities Specialist at Astro Mechanica is responsible for designing, fabricating, operating, and improving complex mechanical, electrical, and fluid systems that are vital for rigorous testing of our innovative jet engines. This role includes maintaining test facility operations, monitoring equipment inventory, operating machine shop tools, and collaborating closely with engineering teams to ensure that all tests adhere to the highest quality and performance standards.

Candidates for the Senior Test Facilities Specialist position at Astro Mechanica should possess significant experience in the aerospace or automotive industries. Familiarity with interpreting engineering drawings, knowledge of fluid and pressurized systems, and hands-on experience with manual machine shop equipment are essential. Additionally, experience with data acquisition systems and attention to detail are critical for ensuring quality outcomes.

In the role of Senior Test Facilities Specialist, you will play a crucial role in the testing and development of jet engines at Astro Mechanica by designing and operating the necessary test infrastructure. You’ll ensure that every prototype undergoes thorough testing, adhering to the 'test-like-you-fly' philosophy, which helps meet critical quality and performance metrics prior to aircraft integration.

To work effectively as a Senior Test Facilities Specialist at Astro Mechanica, one needs a variety of skills including mechanical aptitude, proficiency with machine shop equipment, and experience with fluid systems and instrumentation. Strong problem-solving skills, an ability to collaborate with engineers, and initiative for continuous improvement are also vital for success in this fast-paced environment.

Astro Mechanica offers a comprehensive benefits package for the Senior Test Facilities Specialist including full healthcare, vision, and dental benefits, competitive pay, a transparent stock option plan, and a flexible work environment with a self-managed time-off policy. Employees are also encouraged to work in the office to foster collaboration and strengthen company culture.

In your response, highlight specific facilities you have maintained, detailing the systems you managed, any troubleshooting you performed, and how you ensured equipment was always ready for testing. Convey your proactive approach in identifying potential issues before they arise.

Share an example where you identified inefficiencies in a testing process, discussing the steps you took to improve it and the positive outcomes that resulted. Be specific about the metrics that improved following your intervention.

Discuss your familiarity with safety protocols and your commitment to maintaining a safe work environment. Highlight any specific safety training you have undergone and any personal practices you follow to ensure all operations are conducted safely.

Explain methods you implement for tracking inventory levels, ordering new supplies, and ensuring that the right tools and equipment are available when needed. Specific examples of inventory management tools or software can bolster your answer.

Describe your background in reading and interpreting engineering drawings, detailing any training you received and how you’ve applied this skill in your past roles. Use specific examples to demonstrate your accuracy and attention to detail in interpreting complex designs.

Outline your approach to prioritizing tasks, especially under tight deadlines. Share a specific experience where you had to manage multiple priorities, detailing how you determined what was most critical and the outcome of your actions.

Illustrate your understanding of fluid systems by sharing your experience with specific systems, the roles you played in their design or maintenance, and your understanding of the pressure levels, materials, and instrumentation used.

Discuss how you have worked with engineers on testing projects, illustrating your role in that collaboration, how you communicated effectively, and any challenges you faced and overcame together for successful outcomes.

Talk about specific precision calibrated tools you've used in the testing or fabrication processes, emphasizing how you ensured they were calibrated accurately and how you employed them to achieve precise results in your work.

Convey your understanding of how attention to detail directly impacts the safety, reliability, and performance of jet engines. Share anecdotes that demonstrate how your attention to detail led to significant safety enhancements or successful project outcomes.