ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Hil Test Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

CHAOS Industries

HIL Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$130K - $190K/yr

Design and develop HIL test benches for full effector system integration, including flight ... Collaborate with software and integration/test engineers to define test plans and acceptance ...

CHAOS Industries

HIL Engineer

El Segundo, CA

$130K - $190K/yr

Design and develop HIL test benches for full effector system integration, including flight ... Collaborate with software and integration/test engineers to define test plans and acceptance ...

Actalent

Avionics Test Engineer

Tustin, CA

$75 - $85/hr

Job Title: Avionics Test Engineer The Avionics Test Engineer will play a key role in testing ... Develop hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test equipment and test benches to validate avionics performance ...

Actalent

Avionics Test Engineer

Tustin, CA

$75 - $85/hr

Job Title: Avionics Test Engineer The Avionics Test Engineer will play a key role in testing ... Develop hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test equipment and test benches to validate avionics performance ...

Seek Thermal Inc.

Systems and Test Engineer

Goleta, CA · On-site

$145K - $175K/yr

As a Systems Test Engineer at Seek Thermal, you will lead the integration, verification, and test ... loop (HIL) test systems. · Own test coverage strategy across HW/FW/SW integration layers ...

Inversion

Senior Avionics Test Engineer

Los Angeles, CA

$137K - $193K/yr

Own the design, build, and operational execution of Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testbeds and bench ... Mentor junior test engineers, standardizing data-driven analysis techniques and automated test ...

Inversion

Senior Avionics Test Engineer

Vista, CA · On-site

$137K - $193K/yr

Own the design, build, and operational execution of Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testbeds and bench ... Mentor junior test engineers, standardizing data-driven analysis techniques and automated test ...

Wayve

HIL Platform Scalability Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$137K - $207K/yr

We are looking for engineers who thrive at the intersection of test systems, infrastructure, automation and operation. In this role, you'll be critical to scaling and maintaining a fleet of HIL ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsHil Test Engineer JobsHil Test Engineer Jobs in California

Hil Test Engineer information

See California salary details

$17

$43

$73

How much do hil test engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for hil test engineer in California is $43.66, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $32.98 and $51.73 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a HIL Test Engineer job?

A HIL (Hardware-in-the-Loop) Test Engineer is responsible for developing, executing, and maintaining test systems that simulate real-world hardware environments for validating embedded systems. They design and implement test automation, work with hardware and software teams, and analyze test results to ensure system reliability. HIL Test Engineers are commonly found in industries such as automotive, aerospace, and industrial automation. Their role is critical in detecting issues early in the development cycle, improving product quality, and reducing time-to-market.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering with extensive experience and advanced skills can earn $300,000 or more annually. High-paying roles often require advanced certifications, leadership responsibilities, or working in high-demand industries and locations.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Highly experienced engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum engineering, software engineering, or executive-level engineering roles can earn $500,000 or more annually. These positions often require advanced skills, certifications, and significant industry experience, and may include bonuses or stock options that contribute to total compensation.

What are some typical challenges faced by HIL Test Engineers, and how do they overcome them?

HIL Test Engineers often encounter challenges such as troubleshooting complex system integration issues, managing evolving test requirements, and maintaining test system reliability. To overcome these obstacles, they work closely with software and hardware developers to quickly diagnose problems, adapt test scripts, and ensure continuous improvement of test setups. They also document findings thoroughly and collaborate with the wider engineering team to implement solutions. This collaborative and dynamic environment helps ensure high-quality product development and rapid iteration cycles. Being adaptable and detail-oriented is key to thriving in this role.

What does a HIL test engineer do?

A HIL (Hardware-in-the-Loop) test engineer designs, develops, and executes testing procedures using HIL simulation systems to validate embedded control systems and software. They work with simulation tools, test automation, and real-time hardware to ensure system reliability and safety, often collaborating with software and hardware teams. Proficiency in programming, control systems, and testing standards is essential for this role.

What engineers make $200,000 a year?

Senior test engineers, especially those with specialized skills in automation, hardware testing, or working in high-demand industries like aerospace or semiconductor manufacturing, can earn $200,000 or more annually. Achieving this salary often requires extensive experience, advanced certifications, and proficiency with tools like scripting languages and testing frameworks.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Hil Test Engineer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a HIL (Hardware-in-the-Loop) Test Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, embedded systems, and software testing, typically supported by a bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field. Familiarity with MATLAB/Simulink, HIL simulation platforms (such as dSPACE or NI), and scripting languages like Python is crucial, along with relevant certifications in automation or systems testing. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate clearly with cross-functional teams are key soft skills for this role. These competencies ensure reliable validation of complex systems and enable effective collaboration with development and engineering teams.

What are the most commonly searched types of Hil Test Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Hil Test Engineer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Hil Test Engineer jobs in California? For Hil Test Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Hil Test Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Hil Test Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Hil Test Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Hil Test Engineer job openings:
Hil Test Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Hil Test Engineer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 76% Full Time, and 24% Contract. Highlights an 97% In-person, and 3% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $90,822 per year, or $43.7 per hour.

HIL Engineer

CHAOS Industries

El Segundo, CA • On-site

$130K - $190K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

CHAOS Industries is redefining modern defense with a multi-product portfolio that gives the ultimate advantage-domain dominance. The company's 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 www.chaosinc.com.
Role Overview:
CHAOS is seeking a skilled Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) Engineer to join our hardware engineering team. In this role, you will design, build, and maintain HIL simulation environments that enable full system integration testing of our Effector platforms - bridging the gap between software development and flight hardware. You will work closely with GNC, software, and systems engineers to ensure our vehicles are thoroughly validated before ever leaving the ground.
The ideal candidate has hands-on experience building and operating HIL or SIL simulation environments for embedded or autonomous systems.
This is a full-time, on-site position in El Segundo, CA.
Responsibilities:
  • Design and develop HIL test benches for full effector system integration, including flight controllers, ESCs, sensors, and ground control systems
  • Integrate high-fidelity simulation models (flight dynamics, actuator, and sensor models) that accurately replicate real-world behavior
  • Integrate hardware components - including autopilot boards, communication links, power systems, and peripherals - into HIL systems
  • Develop automated test suites and regression frameworks to validate software and firmware changes against HIL environments
  • Collaborate with software and integration/test engineers to define test plans and acceptance criteria for new features and hardware releases
  • Debug complex hardware-software interactions by analyzing HIL test data, logs, and telemetry
  • Maintain and 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

Minimum Requirements:
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
  • 3+ years 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
  • Proficiency in real-time simulation platforms (e.g., dSPACE, NI VeriStand, or similar)
  • Strong programming skills in Python and/or C/C++ for test automation and system scripting
  • Familiarity with flight controller software such as PX4, ArduPilot, or equivalent
  • Experience with communication protocols common in drone systems (MAVLink, CAN, UART, SPI, I2C)
  • Solid understanding of effector system architecture, including propulsion, navigation, and control loops
  • Experience with version control systems and CI/CD pipelines for automated testing
  • Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills across hardware and software domains
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance

Preferred Requirements:
  • Master's degree in Engineering
  • Experience with ROS or ROS 2 for simulation and integration testing
  • Familiarity with MATLAB/Simulink for flight dynamics or control system modeling
  • Exposure to flight test operations and transitioning systems from HIL to field testing
  • Experience with FPGA firmware development or embedded Linux environments
  • Knowledge of RF systems, GPS signal simulation, or sensor fusion techniques
  • 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

$130k-190k
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.
#LI-onsite

Apply