Instrumentation Engineer

About Nominal

Nominal is a venture-backed company with offices in Los Angeles, Austin, and New York City. We’re focused on building software and data solutions for organizations that test and validate complex systems—think drones, rocket engines, satellites, and nuclear reactors. Supported by leading investors like General Catalyst, Founders Fund, Lux Capital, and more, we’re gaining strong traction in the commercial and government aerospace and defense industrial base, including working directly with the Department of Defense.

Our team includes engineers and operators from SpaceX, Palantir, Anduril, Lockheed Martin, and NASA, all working toward a common goal: making it faster and easier for hardware engineers to push the boundaries of advanced technology safely and efficiently. Our platform helps engineering teams accelerate test data review and analysis, scaling testing campaigns to save time and cut costs.

As an Instrumentation Engineer, you will play a critical role in integrating Nominal's Connect platform with real-world test environments. You’ll be responsible for developing and deploying software interfaces for test stand instruments, flight computers, and control systems, ensuring seamless data acquisition and automation.

This is a hands-on role, requiring both technical expertise and adaptability. You’ll work directly with customers, writing code that interacts with hardware in a variety of environments—including test stands, clean rooms, and industrial setups. Success in this role requires strong problem-solving skills, the ability to troubleshoot software-to-hardware integrations, and a passion for optimizing test and validation workflows.

• Develop & Deploy: Write Python-based software to interface with customer test stand instruments using SCPI, PyVISA, PySerial, and NI-DAQmx.
• Integrate Systems: Automate data collection and control processes for a wide range of aerospace and defense test environments.
• Support Critical Missions: Work directly with customers to ensure their test setups are optimized and fully operational.
• Problem Solve in Real Time: Troubleshoot hardware-software interfaces in dynamic, high-stakes environments.
• Shape the Future: Define best practices for integrating Connect with real-world hardware, directly influencing Nominal’s product roadmap.

• Hands-on Hardware Experience: Comfortable working with data acquisition systems (DAQs), flight computers, and test stand instruments.
• Software Proficiency: Strong Python skills, with experience in VISA, SCPI, Serial communication, and systems-level programming (C or Rust).
• Engineering Mindset: Able to read hardware manuals, interpret communication protocols, and implement effective software solutions.
• Problem Solver: Thrive in dynamic environments where troubleshooting and persistence are key.
• Technical Communication: Ability to translate complex system requirements into clear, actionable solutions.
• Experience with Commercial Test Tools: Familiarity with LabVIEW, FlexLogger, or Veristand (nice-to-have).
• Experience in High-Performance Environments: Background in propulsion test stands, flight testing, or experimental physics labs.
• College Engineering Leadership: Former lead of solar car, F1 racing, or robotics teams.

• 🏥 100% coverage of medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 🏖️ Unlimited PTO and sick leave
• 🍽️ Free lunch, snacks, and coffee
• 🚀 Professional Development Stipend
• ✈️ Annual company retreats

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.