Test & Validation Engineer Motor Systems - Unusual Machines

Unusual Machines is a U.S.-based drone and drone parts company focused on the small and First-Person View (FPV) segments of the drone market. Our brands - Rotor Riot and Fat Shark - are two of the most respected names in FPV and have helped shape the industry through e-commerce, product development, and a deep connection with the pilot community.

We’re expanding into enterprise and defense - bringing our obsessive attention to performance, design, and U.S.-based manufacturing into high-stakes environments like search and rescue and military innovation. With several of our products already approved by the Defense Innovation Unit, we’re solving procurement issues for customers who demand speed, agility, and compliance.

If you love working at the intersection of community, content, and cutting-edge technology, you’ll feel right at home here.

You in this Role

The Test & Validation Engineer defines and executes structured test programs for motor systems, covering dynamometer characterization, endurance testing, environmental exposure, and real-world use conditions. They generate clear evidence of performance and reliability, investigate failures, and work with the engineering team to turn test findings into practical design improvements. The role is highly hands-on and requires strong judgment in both test execution and data interpretation.

A Day in the Life

This role works closely with motor design, mechanical design, manufacturing, quality, and prototype build teams. They also support customer and field trials where needed, helping capture real-world operating data and convert it into actionable engineering feedback.

What You’ll Do

·      Define and execute validation plans to prove performance, durability, and design compliance.

·      Run dyno testing and characterize core motor performance including torque, speed, efficiency, and thermal behaviour.

·      Design and execute accelerated endurance testing to validate lifetime targets.

·      Perform environmental testing such as ingress protection, thermal cycling, vibration, and corrosion or salt spray exposure.

·      Support customer flight trials and gather real-world performance data and feedback.

·      Analyse test results, identify failure modes, and drive design improvements with engineering teams.

·      Help establish repeatable test methods, fixtures, reporting formats, and validation discipline as the factory scales.

What You’ll Bring

·      3-5 years hands-on Industry experience with mechanical or electromechanical testing and validation.

·      Experience running structured test programs including dyno, endurance, or environmental testing.

·      Strong understanding of failure modes in mechanical or rotating systems.