Test Engineer

The last frontier

The Arctic is a place of extremes: unforgiving, untamed, and undergoing rapid change. A literal defrosting reveals a multi-trillion-dollar opportunity spanning energy, defence, logistics, research, and infrastructure.

ARD was founded on a paradox. The Arctic is both the next great economic frontier and one of the most hostile environments on Earth. Rich in resources and strategically vital, yet bone-chillingly cold, dark for months, and fundamentally inhospitable to humans. This paradox—an explosion of activity in a place that resists human presence—is why we exist.

Our solution is autonomy.

We build systems that operate reliably and intelligently in the Arctic, so that humans don't always have to.

Founded by record-holding pioneers with decades of polar experience, we take calculated risks on hard problems that matter. If you want to build and deploy ground-up technology with real-world impact, at an inflection point in history that won’t reappear, we’d like to talk.

The role

As a Test Engineer at Arctic Research and Development, you’ll be the centre of our mission: building hardware that thrives where few things can. You’ll design, develop, and execute test campaigns across our full Arctic hardware stack – from embedded PCBs and energy systems to composite structures and autonomous platforms – while working alongside our mechanical, electronics, and RF teams.

This is the most critical stage of our R&D pipeline. The test frameworks you’ll build and the results you deliver will directly determine the reliability, safety, and confidence of our systems in Arctic operations.

Core responsibilities

• Design and operate custom testbeds tailored to ARD’s hardware line
• Execute static, dynamic, fatigue, thermal, and vibration tests aligned with both internal requirements and international standards (e.g. MIL-STD 810H, IP/IK, CE/UL)
• Operate cold chambers, vibration tables, structural testing equipment, and data acquisition systems
• Translate tests results into actionable design recommendations, guiding iterations and fast
• Guide the selection and setup of testing infrastructure in ARD’s in-house R&D lab

What we value

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, or a related field, with a portfolio ready to demonstrate
• 3+ years of hands‑on prototyping experience, ideally in lab or workshop environment
• Experience scaling tests systems from prototype to production, ideally in environmental and structural contextsFamiliarity with US, EU, and UK testing certifications and standards
• Proven track record designing hardware test systems and developing automated test software
• Ability to operate with a large-degree of autonomy within a lean and competent team
• Field‑ready mindset — you’re comfortable testing gear in sub‑zero environments outside of the R&D lab

What we offer

• Competitive compensation
• Equity— meaningful options as an early employee at an early‑stage company
• Real field exposure— travel to Arctic sites and Outposts when needed (genuinely, not as a gimmick)
• Mission‑driven culture— focus on impact, not hours logged
• Small team, real ownership— what you build matters and ships

A note on who we want to hear from

We're building for one of the most demanding environments on Earth and we believe diverse teams build more resilient systems. We actively welcome applications from people who are underrepresented in engineering - whether that's by gender, ethnicity, disability, or background. If you're not sure you meet every requirement, apply anyway and tell us what excites you about the problem.

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