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Calspan

Calspan

Aerospace and automotive R&D testing partner

Applied Test Engineer - Tire

Full-TimeDeadline 8/14/27
$75k - $90k/yr
Mid
Bachelor's
Buffalo, NY, USA
In Person

This is a third-shift position.

No H1B Sponsorship

About the job

Requirements
  • A bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • At least 3 years of experience in a testing, quality, or manufacturing environment.
  • Familiarity with experimental test methods.
  • Understanding of complex systems including data acquisition, signal conditioning, instrumentation, and controls.
  • Ability to read and interpret engineering plans and specifications.
  • Understanding of project management concepts, including metrics and tracking.
  • Ability to clearly communicate objectives to staff and customers.
  • Familiarity with data science topics.
  • Understanding of pneumatic, hydraulic, and electrical systems.
  • Eligibility to work in the United States.
Responsibilities
  • Translate high-level test objectives into shift-level execution protocols, setups, and acceptance criteria for the operations team.
  • Guide technical decisions during shift testing and ensure execution follows Test Engineer plans and engineering specifications.
  • Monitor test parameters in real time and adjust, pause, or continue tests within predefined limits to ensure data integrity and quality.
  • Execute tests in a professional and timely manner consistent with general laboratory practices.
  • Work with technicians and mechanics to set up equipment, test articles, and facilities for test execution.
  • Lead system-level troubleshooting for electrical, mechanical, control, and data acquisition issues during testing.
  • Coordinate with Engineering and Operations teams to minimize downtime and maintain test continuity.
  • Identify inefficiencies in setup, execution, or data handoff and propose engineering-level process improvements.
  • Monitor data acquisition systems during testing and perform engineering-level validation of sensor and data quality.
  • Evaluate deviations from engineering plans, document non-conformances, and assess their impact on deliverables.
  • Serve as the technical point of contact for off-shift test activities.
  • Maintain accurate shift logs and reports and ensure documentation and data meet engineering standards.
  • Communicate operational constraints and schedule risks to Engineering and Operations leaders.
  • Facilitate alignment between Test Engineering objectives and off-shift execution capabilities.
  • Participate in shift planning sessions to optimize test sequencing and resource allocation.

About the company

Calspan acts as a research and testing partner for aerospace and automotive innovators, helping turn bold concepts into viable commercial products. It conducts aerodynamic and flight testing, including hypersonics, and provides R&D, T&E engineering, and manufacturing solutions, all supported by a network of U.S. facilities and test centers. The company differentiates itself by offering end-to-end testing and development capabilities across multiple locations—airborne testing, wind tunnel and aerodynamic modeling, pilot training, and engineering services—covering both ground and air applications. Its goal is to accelerate the world’s greatest innovations by validating designs, reducing development time, and enabling safe, reliable product deployment in land, air, and space domains.

Company Size

201-500

Company Stage

Acquired

Total Funding

$1.5M

Headquarters

Buffalo, New York

Founded

1943

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Calspan won a five-year USNTPS Learjet contract on February 20, 2026.
  • Taiwan's TNCAP certification opens recurring validation demand from global automakers in 2026.
  • Autonomy Flight Test Center expanded in 2026 as CCA and AI testing budgets surged.

What critics are saying

  • TransDigm sold Calspan Aero Systems Engineering to Cerberus in May 2024, shrinking defense scope.
  • Calspan still depends on contract wins like USNTPS, risking lumpy revenue after 2027.
  • North Wind now competes on hypersonic testing, eroding Calspan's historical technical moat.

What makes Calspan unique

  • Calspan runs ISO/IEC 17025 automotive labs and autonomous flight-test platforms in Buffalo.
  • Its ExPERT Learjet platform supports AI, autonomy, MUM-T, and surrogate aircraft testing.
  • Only North American lab certified for full-scope TNCAP testing in January 2026.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account

Flexible Spending Accounts

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance/Accidental Death & Dismemberment

Disability Insurance

Paid Vacation

Paid Holidays

Bereavement Leave

Jury Duty

Military Leave

Employee Assistance Program

Educational Assistance Reimbursement

Pet Insurance

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

2%

1 year growth

0%

2 year growth

1%
The Business Journals
Apr 24th, 2024
Peter Sauer takes Calspan experience into commercial development

Calspan hired Steve Federico as head of development and construction 10 years ago so those projects could stay in-house.

Mason & Hanger
Dec 5th, 2023
Construction Progress on NASA's New Flight Dynamics Research Facility

Mason & Hanger is working on the design-build contract in partnership with BL Harbert International (BLHI) and Calspan Aero Systems Engineering, Inc.

PR Newswire
May 8th, 2023
TransDigm Completes Acquisition of Calspan Corporation

/PRNewswire/ -- TransDigm Group Incorporated (NYSE: TDG) today announced it has successfully completed its acquisition of Calspan Corporation ("Calspan" or...

MANavigator
Mar 15th, 2023
M & A Navigator

Ohio, US-based aircraft components supplier TransDigm Group Inc. (NYSE: TDG) has agreed to acquire New York-based testing and technology development services provider Calspan Corp., focussed on the aerospace and defence industry, the company said.

Calspan
Jan 28th, 2022
Calspan Corporation partners with Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency

Calspan has been an integral partner with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) on their Air Combat Evolution (ACE) program.