Test Engineer
$65k - $95k/yr
Senior
Bachelor's
Rockford, IL, USA
In Person
Manufacturing & Process EngineeringManufacturing Engineering
About the job
Requirements
- A bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field is required.
- At least 5 years of experience in a highly regulated industry is required; aerospace experience is preferred.
- Hands-on experience designing or maintaining automated test equipment involving electronics, embedded systems, sensors, actuators, and servo control systems is required.
- Proficiency with LabVIEW or comparable automated test development platforms is required.
- Basic mechanical design skills are required.
- Familiarity with aerospace quality and regulatory standards such as AS9100, DO-160, or similar is required.
- Strong problem-solving, root-cause analysis, and troubleshooting abilities are required.
- Ability to work in a collaborative, cross-functional environment and communicate clearly with technical and non-technical stakeholders is required.
- Working knowledge of blueprints and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) is required.
- Proficiency in SolidWorks is required.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook, is required.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, phone and interpersonal skills, and the ability to interact with people at all levels are required.
Responsibilities
- Design, develop, and validate new manufacturing test equipment and Acceptance Test Procedure (ATP) stands for electromechanical actuator products.
- Troubleshoot and optimize existing test equipment, including diagnosing issues across electronic, software, and mechanical domains.
- Develop automated test solutions using LabVIEW or similar graphical programming tools.
- Collaborate with design engineering, manufacturing, quality, and product support teams to ensure test systems meet safety, reliability, and compliance requirements.
- Support calibration, maintenance, and lifecycle management of test hardware and software.
- Document test system requirements, design specifications, procedures, and validation results in accordance with aerospace regulatory and quality standards.
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on test efficiency, reliability, and manufacturability.
- Ensure all test equipment meets safety and regulatory requirements.
- Provide technical guidance and mentorship to technicians and junior engineers involved in test equipment operation or build.
- Create and maintain operator documents and procedures related to test equipment.
Desired Qualifications
- Experience with aerospace industry work.
- Experience with CAD tools such as SolidWorks.
- Experience applying human factors engineering principles to the design of test fixtures, operator interfaces, and workstations.
- Experience with automation frameworks, data acquisition systems, and industrial communication protocols.
- Background in servo control systems, motor testing, and electromechanical system characterization.
- Familiarity with software configuration management tools and workflows for test software.
- Understanding of lean manufacturing principles and their application to test equipment development.
- Experience supporting design for manufacturability and testability (DFM/DFT) initiatives.
- Ability to manage small engineering projects, vendors, and equipment build schedules.
About the company
Kaney provides high-reliability engineering and manufacturing for aerospace, defense, and medical markets, with AS9100 certification and vertical integration. It designs and builds electromechanical actuators, smart servos with embedded DO-178 Level A software, power-management systems, and precision gearboxes for mission-critical applications, plus test labs and certification support. It differentiates itself by offering full lifecycle services—from architecture and design to FAA/EASA certification, build-to-print manufacturing, and system integration laboratories—serving top customers like Boeing and the USAF. Its goal is to deliver certified propulsion, avionics, and medical motion-control solutions with complete lifecycle support, growing through strategic acquisitions and partnerships.
Company Size
51-200
Company Stage
Grant
Total Funding
$1.9M
Headquarters
Rockford, Illinois
Founded
N/A
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- July 14, 2026's $2.88 million BGT expansion lifts capacity and automation immediately.
- Velocity One's Charlesbank backing funds R&D, hiring, and acquisition-driven cross-selling in 2026.
- Northrop Grumman's 2024 Supplier Excellence Award validates Kaney's quality and opens deeper defense work.
What critics are saying
- Velocity One integration after February 24, 2026 can disrupt Kaney's engineering culture and customers.
- Boeing, Honeywell, Northrop Grumman, and Safran dependence creates brutal program-concentration risk.
- If AAM or defense orders slip, Kaney's capital-heavy plants face underutilization and covenant stress.
What makes Kaney unique
- Kaney pairs AS9100 manufacturing with FAA Part 145 and EASA repair capabilities, rare for 2026.
- Its motion-control systems fly on commercial jets, AAM aircraft, and defense platforms.
- BGT Aerospace adds precision ball screws and grinding for mission-critical aerospace and medical components.
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Benefits
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Flexible Work Hours
- Professional Development Budget
- Training Programs