Powertrain Test Engineer
Quality Assurance
Garden Grove, CA, USA
USD 120k-140k / year + Equity
Posted on Oct 7, 2026
About Harbinger
Harbinger is an American commercial electric vehicle (EV) company on a mission to transform an industry starving for innovation. Harbinger’s best-in-class team of EV, battery, and drivetrain experts have pooled their deep experience to bring a first-of-its-kind EV platform to support the growing demand for medium-duty EVs and Hybrids. Harbinger: Familiar Form, Revolutionary Foundation.
Job Overview
Based out of our Garden Grove headquarters, the Powertrain Test Engineer is responsible for execution of system level Powertrain testing as part of Harbinger’s development and validation process. They will collaborate closely with fellow test engineers to execute comprehensive system-level testing, drive innovation in our test facility capabilities, and partner with stakeholders to develop robust testing methodologies. The role will have a key focus on the electrical, mechanical, and software integration of Powertrain systems and test rigs, building out robust instrumentation and data acquisition systems, and executing development and validation test plans through comprehensive test planning, data analysis, and report writing.
What You’ll Do:
- Lead and execute component and system-level development and validation testing of electric motors and drive units within the lab.
- Design and architect electric motor and drive unit dynamometers and HIL systems for development testing of advanced concept projects.
- Source, troubleshoot, and maintain test rig equipment, instrumentation, and data acquisition systems across custom test rigs
- Leverage data analysis and advanced testing methodologies to reproduce and characterize failures for rapid issue resolution.
- Design, fabricate, and assemble a wide variety of fixtures, adapters, mounts, and tooling for instrumentation, data acquisition systems, and test devices.
- Design and construct electrical control panels (including power distribution, grounding, fuses, relays, terminal blocks, and safety interlocks) for automated test systems.
- Document system designs, schematics, software logic, and test procedures for compliance and knowledge transfer.
Who You Are:
- Bachelor of Science in Mechanical or Mechatronics Engineering (or similar) with a minimum of 3 years of relevant industry experience with emphasis on validation testing and system integration (mechanical, electrical, and software).
- Deep understanding of dynamometer operating principles from a system level, with the ability to conceptualize, design, and specify comprehensive test cell layouts for high-voltage EV powertrains.
- Fundamental understanding of the working principles of electric motors and inverters.
- Strong ability to rapidly troubleshoot issues and solve problems related to mechanical, electrical, and software systems in a test lab environment.
- Hands-on experience with mechanical hand tools and electronics test equipment such as power supplies, electronic loads, oscilloscope, power analyzers, data acquisition and measurement sensors.
- Knowledge of the communications protocols of and ability to use drivers for NI-XNET (CAN and LIN) and NI-VISA Serial (RS232, RS485) and TCP/IP (Modbus, SCPI, FTP and TCP/IP).
Key Benefits & Perks:
- Comprehensive Health, Dental & Vision (HDV) – 100% employee covered
- Early-stage Stock Options
- Robust Retirement Savings (401k, HSA, FSA)
- Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) & Parental Leave
- Annual Vacation Bonus
- Wellness & Fertility Benefits
- Cell Phone Stipend
- Complimentary Meals & Stocked Kitchens
California Pay Range
$120,000—$140,000 USD
Equal Opportunity
Harbinger is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information or characteristics, physical or mental disability, marital/domestic partner status, age, military/veteran status, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Harbinger is committed to ensuring that our hiring process is accessible for persons with disabilities. If you have a disability or limitation, such as those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, that requires accommodations to assist you in the search and application process, please email us at info@harbingermotors.com.
Candidate Data Privacy
Harbinger may collect, use and disclose your personal information or personal data (within the meaning of the applicable data protection laws) when you apply for employment and/or participate in our recruitment processes (“Candidate Personal Data”). This data includes contact, demographic, communications, educational, professional, employment, social media/website, network/device, recruiting system usage/interaction, security and preference information. Harbinger may use your Candidate Personal Data for the purposes of (i) tracking interactions with our recruiting system; (ii) carrying out, analyzing and improving our application and recruitment process, including assessing you and your application and conducting employment, background and reference checks; (iii) establishing an employment relationship or entering into an employment contract with you; (iv) complying with our legal, regulatory and corporate governance obligations; (v) recordkeeping; (vi) ensuring network and information security and preventing fraud; and (vii) as otherwise required or permitted by applicable law.
Harbinger may share your Candidate Personal Data with (i) internal personnel who have a need to know such information in order to perform their duties, including individuals on our HR, legal, and finance teams, and the team(s) with the position(s) for which you are applying; (ii) Harbinger affiliates; and (iii) Harbinger’s service providers, including providers of background checks, staffing services, and cloud services.
Harbinger may transfer or store internationally your Candidate Personal Data, including to or in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union and in the cloud, and this data may be subject to the laws and accessible to the courts, law enforcement and national security authorities of such jurisdictions.
Please note that we are currently not accepting applications from third party application services. Any unsolicited resumes or candidate profiles submitted in response to our job posting shall be considered the property of Harbinger and are not subject to payment of referral or placement fees if any such candidate is later hired by Harbinger unless you have a signed written agreement in place with us which covers the applicable job posting.