Testing Engineer (Aerospace, Hardware)

Blackwave stands for passion and innovation in aerospace. What began as a small start-up in Munich, Germany with a genuine bottom-up mentality has developed into a leading player in the space and aerospace industry all the way to the USA. Our focus is on the development and production of standardized pressure vessels (COPVs) and complex carbon structures. With our “off-the-shelf” approach to COPVs, we are setting new standards – efficient, reliable, and future-oriented. Progress is what drives us: with courage, creativity, and technical expertise, we are shaping the next generation of space technologies.

Role Mission

The mission of the Testing Engineer is to establish, develop, and own COPV testing capabilities at the Texas plant. The role is responsible for building the processes, procedures, and methods required to test large-scale Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessels (COPVs) to spaceflight standards — ensuring that no COPV leaves Texas without full confidence in its integrity and performance.

Expected Outcomes

A successful Testing Engineer will:

• Take full engineering ownership of COPV testing operations in Texas

• Build the processes and procedures necessary to test large-scale COPVs safely and reliably

• Develop and mature testing methods that meet spaceflight qualification requirements

• Support production and operations with engineering know-how and hands-on troubleshooting

• Establish deep in-house knowledge and experience in COPV testing within the Texas team

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the engineer of record for all COPV testing activities in Texas

• Design, document, and continuously improve testing processes and procedures for large-scale COPVs

• Develop and validate testing methods appropriate for spaceflight qualification

• Operate and maintain testing equipment, ensuring accuracy, calibration, and readiness

• Support production and operations teams with engineering guidance and troubleshooting

• Conduct and document inspections, tests, and evaluations in accordance with applicable standards

• Identify and mitigate risks associated with testing activities and test results

• Build and transfer COPV testing knowledge within the Texas team

• Coordinate with the Team in Germany to bring the process expertise to Texas

• Coordinate with engineering, quality, and operations teams to ensure testing activities support production goals

• Contribute to the development of technical documentation, test plans, and reports

Competencies

Technical Know-How

• Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent technical field (required)

• Experience with engineering development processes and technical documentation (required)

• Proficiency with testing equipment and instrumentation (required)

• Familiarity with aerospace qualification requirements and standards (nice to have)

• Visual inspection training or qualification (nice to have)

• Experience with risk assessment and mitigation methods (nice to have)

Leadership and Professional Skills

• Hands-on approach — equally comfortable at the test bench and at the desk

• Comfortable operating under uncertainty and making sound decisions with incomplete information

• Solution-oriented troubleshooter who drives issues through to resolution

• Organised and structured, but action-oriented and able to move quickly when needed

• Thrives in an environment where processes are still being built, not just followed

Required Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent technical field

• Several years of hands-on experience in engineering testing, preferably in aerospace or pressure vessel applications (nice to have)

• Proven experience developing technical documentation, test plans, or engineering procedures

• Experience working in structured, safety-critical production or test environments

Language Skills

• English is required

• Spanish or German are a plus

Work Model

• On-site work is mandatory

• Willingness to work both in the lab/test area and at the desk on a daily basis

• Our current facility is located in Lockhart, Texas (near Austin/San Antonio)

• In mid-2026, Blackwave will relocate to a new site in the Port San Antonio aerospace hub

Equal Opportunity Employer

Blackwave Texas Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected characteristics under applicable law.

ITAR Requirement

This position requires eligibility under U.S. export regulations (ITAR). Candidates must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, or otherwise authorized to access export-controlled information.

For this U.S.-based role, your application will be managed by our global People Team in Germany.