Principal Hardware-in-the-Loop Engineer

CHAOS Industries is redefining modern defense with a multi-product portfolio that gives the ultimate advantagedomain dominance. The companys products are powered by Coherent Distributed Networks (CDN) empowering warfighters commercial air operators and border protection teams to act faster adapt rapidly and stay ahead of evolving threats.

CHAOS Industries was founded in 2022 and has raised a total of $1 billion in funding from leading investors including 8VC Accel and Valor Equity Partners. The company is headquartered in Los Angeles with offices in Washington D.C. San Francisco San Diego Seattle and London. For more information please visit .

Role Overview:

CHAOSis seekinga Principal Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) Engineer to lead the architecture development and deployment of advanced HIL simulation environments supporting high-reliability effector platforms. This roleis responsible fordefining scalable high-fidelity validation frameworks that enable full system integration testing across multiple programsbridging software autonomy and flight hardware.

This position spans the full lifecycle of HIL development from early requirements shaping and simulation architecture through hardware/software integration automated test development system validation and transition to flight test. The ideal candidate is a highly experienced hands-on engineer who can lead complex HIL efforts guide other engineers and ensure consistent high-quality validation approaches across programs.

This is a full-time on-siteposition inHawthorne CA.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the architecture designand developmentofHIL test benches for full effector system integration including flight controllers ESCs sensors and ground control systems

• Define HIL strategy fidelity requirements and validation approaches to ensure comprehensive system-level test coverage prior to flight

• Establish reusable approaches for HIL system design model integration and test automation across programs

• Architect and integrate high-fidelity simulation models (flight dynamics actuator and sensor models) that accurately replicate real-world behavior

• Lead integration of hardware components into HIL systems including flight computers ESCs communication links sensors and power systems

• Drive development of automated test frameworks regression infrastructure and CI/CD integration for continuous validation of software and firmware

• Guide debugging and root cause analysis of complex hardware-software interactions using HIL data logs and telemetry

• Collaborate with GNC software and systems engineering teams to define verification strategies test plans and acceptance criteria across programs

• Ownmaintainand improve test infrastructure including simulation software real-time targets and data acquisition systems

• Document test methodologies procedures and results clearly for cross-functional team use

• Support transition of HIL-validated systems to integration and flight test phases

MinimumRequirements:

• Bachelors degree inEngineering Computer Science or a related field

• 10years of experience in hardware-in-the-loop testing embedded systems integration or a closely related discipline

• Hands-on experience building and operating HIL or SIL simulation environments for embedded or autonomous systems

• Proficiencyin real-time simulation platforms ( NIVeriStand or similar)

• Strong programming skills in Python and/or C/C for test automation and system scripting

• Familiarity with flight controller software such as PX4ArduPilot or equivalent

• Experience with communicationprotocols common in drone systems (MAVLink CAN UART SPI I2C)

• Solid understanding ofeffectorsystem architecture including propulsion navigation and control loops

• Experience with version control systemsand CI/CD pipelines for automated testing

• Stronganalyticaldebugging and root cause analysis skills across hardware software and simulation domains

• Demonstrated ability to lead technical efforts and guide engineers through complex integration and troubleshooting challenges

• Ability to obtain andmaintaina U.S. security clearance

Preferred Requirements:

• Advanced degree (MS or PhD) inEngineering or related field

• Experience with ROS or ROS 2 for simulation and integration testing

• Strong background in flight dynamics control systems or GNC model development (MATLAB/Simulink or similar)

• Experience correlating simulation environments with real-world flight test data

• Familiarity with FPGA-based simulation embedded Linux systems or real-time computing architectures

• Experience with RF systems GPS signal simulation or sensor fusion validation

• Experienceestablishingreusable simulation frameworks or model libraries across programs

• Exposure to flight test operations and transitioning systems from HIL to field testing

• FAA Part 107 certification or equivalent UAV operational credentials

Why CHAOS

• Health Benefits: Medical dental and vision benefits 100% paid for by the company
• Additional benefits: 401k ( 50% company match up to 6% of pay) FSA HSA life insurance and more
• Our Perks: Free daily lunch No meeting Fridays unlimited PTO casual dress code
• Compensation Components: Competitive base salaries generous pre-IPO stock option grants relocation assistance and (coming soon!) annual bonuses
• Team Growth: 250 employees and counting across 5 global offices

The stated compensation range reflects only the targeted base compensation range and excludes additional earnings such as bonus equity and benefits. If your compensation requirements fall outside of the range we still encourage you to apply. The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a range of compensation factors inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience education and/or training critical skills and/or business considerations.

Recruiting Agencies: CHAOS Industries does not accept unsolicited resumes or outreach. Unsolicited submissions will not be reviewed or compensated.

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