Test Engineering Manager

Boom is building the Superpower industrial gas turbine, and the Symphony supersonic turbofan.  Both of these machines share a common core which is metaphorically and literally, the core of our business.  In the Superpower configuration, we will deliver gigawatts of electrical power to the frontier AI data centers building their own co-located power plants. The sales of Superpower directly fund Symphony and Overture's testing and certification effort.

You will own the test programs that take our first engine from assembled hardware to first fire, and then through back-to-back development campaigns toward a revenue-generating turbine and the first aero engine. This isn't a role where you inherit a mature program and run a fixed test matrix. You'll build the test organization, define how it operates, and own the judgment calls that keep us moving fast without compromising safety. 

This unique role will have a huge impact on the development of the worlds first clean sheet civil supersonic turbofan and could grow to own the acceptance testing of hundreds of turbines per year, the flight testing of Overture, or both.

What You'll Do

• Architect the engine test program from a blank sheet: instrumentation, procedures, acceptance criteria, and standards
• Build and lead the test team: hire it, train it, and make it able to run at pace
• Build a new control room and design the curriculum that decides who is qualified to serve in it
• Run three engine development campaigns back to back, on a schedule with a paying customer at the other end
• Hold the line on safety and quality under real schedule pressure

What You'll Own

• The entire path from cold hardware to first fire and beyond, including all readiness gates
• The safety process and testing standards
• Team member qualifications to be involved in live testing

You probably have

• At least 10 years of experience in test
• Led large scale testing before, with a big team, on expensive hardware, under schedule pressure when the consequences of inattention to detail were real (rocket launches, flight testing, engine cell operations, other large industrial testing)
• Been the principle author of a major test campaign, not just followed someone else's procedures
• Directly managed medium or large sized teams and been accountable for their performance
• Graduated from a recognized professional test curriculum (Air Force / Navy / National Test Pilot School, or other professional test engineering program) or have equivalent on-the-job experience

You will thrive here if

• You can make good decisions under pressure. Tough calls, with safety and progress on the line
• You enjoy leading by example, and no job is beneath you - eg writing the test cards yourself if everyone else is too busy.
• You can grow your own team and proactively recruit top talent

Compensation

The Base Salary Range for this position is $160,500 - $203,000 per year. Actual salaries will vary based on factors including but not limited to location, experience, and performance. The range listed is just one component of Boom’s total rewards package for employees. Other rewards may include long-term incentives/equity, a flexible PTO policy, and many other progressive benefits.

There is no set deadline to apply for this job opportunity. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the search is no longer active.

ITAR Requirement

To conform to U.S. Government aerospace technology export regulations (ITAR and EAR), applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about ITAR here.

Boom is an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need. 

Want to build a faster future? Come join Boom.