Instrumentation Engineer

About Nominal

Nominal is building the software infrastructure powering the world’s most advanced hardware systems — from spacecraft and autonomous vehicles to next-generation industrial machines. Our platform ingests high-rate telemetry, validates complex autonomy software in real time, and enables engineers to iterate faster without sacrificing safety or precision. We’re a small, fast-moving team of engineers and operators who own problems end-to-end, work across disciplines, and thrive on challenges at the intersection of hardware and software.

As a dual-use platform, we serve top-tier commercial and defense customers, including the U.S. Navy, United States Air Force, Shield AI, and Anduril. We’re backed by Sequoia, General Catalyst, Founders Fund, Lux Capital, and Lightspeed Ventures. Our team draws experience from SpaceX, Palantir, Anduril, Applied Intuition, and other leading companies — united by a common mission: enabling hardware engineers to push the boundaries of advanced technology with speed, safety, and precision.

We're looking for an Instrumentation Engineer who 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.

🚀 What You’ll Do:
• 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.

🔍 Who You Are:
• 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.

✨ Benefits & Perks:
• 🏥 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.

ITAR Requirements
To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.