---
title: 'Test Operations Engineer at Allen Control Systems'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/test-operations-engineer-allen-control-systems-austin-kkm4rv60p7w8'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-14'
---

# Test Operations Engineer at Allen Control Systems

- **Company:** [Allen Control Systems](https://feeny.ai/companies/allen-control-systems)
- **Location:** Austin, TX
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Posted:** 2026-10-02
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-14
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/allen-control-systems/d7778759-c1ca-4f94-84b0-0d7653d5fe49/application

**Skills:** Robotics, Electromechanical systems, Systems integration, Test engineering, Hardware troubleshooting, Software troubleshooting, Programming, Telemetry, Logging, Debugging, Sensors, Actuators, Control systems, Power systems, Networked equipment, Technical data collection, System setup, Teardown, Linux, Automation

> The Test Operations Engineer executes live field test events and serves as the technical link between the system and engineering. Responsibilities include troubleshooting hardware and software issues, collecting test data, and translating engineering objectives into executable field tests.

## Job description

Company Overview ACS (Allen Control Systems) is a defense technology company building precision robotic systems for the United States and its allies. Founded by two former U.S. Navy electrical engineers with deep experience in robotics and software, ACS brings together AI, computer vision, precision motion, and advanced hardware to solve complex defense challenges across land, air, and maritime environments. Our flagship product, Bullfrog, is an autonomous precision weapon system that transforms existing weapons into highly accurate counter-drone systems — giving warfighters a scalable, cost-effective response to one of the fastest-growing threats on the modern battlefield. Bullfrog is deployed with U.S. forces, and ACS works with organizations throughout the U.S. military and national security community. Following a $200 million Series B at a $2.2 billion valuation, ACS is rapidly expanding manufacturing, accelerating Bullfrog deployments, and developing the next generation of autonomous battlefield systems. This is an opportunity to join a proven, fast-moving team and help scale technology with direct, real-world impact on national security. ACS is headquartered in Austin, Texas, with additional operations in Alexandria, Virginia; Mountain View, California; and Huntsville, Alabama. For more information, visit [allencontrolsystems.com](http://allencontrolsystems.com).

Position Overview We are seeking a Test Operations Engineer to execute live field test events and serve as the technical link between the ACS system and the engineering team. You will be on the ground running tests, capturing data, troubleshooting issues across hardware and software, and feeding actionable findings back to engineering. We are building a team with complementary strengths, and welcome candidates who lean toward hardware/electrical, software/integration, or instrumentation and data collection.

## What You’ll Do

- Execute live test events and support end-to-end field test operations, including system setup, checkout, validation, and post-test teardown.
- Troubleshoot hardware, software, electrical, mechanical, and integration issues in the field; diagnose problems across system boundaries and communicate findings clearly to engineering.
- Collect, organize, and report test data, observations, anomalies, and recommendations; assist with instrumentation, logs, video capture, and other methods of documenting system performance.
- Help translate engineering objectives into executable field tests with clear pass/fail criteria; build and refine repeatable test processes, checklists, and readiness procedures.
- Support rehearsals, demonstrations, validations, and other high-visibility test events; work cross-functionally with engineering, operations, and program teams to rapidly identify issues and drive corrective action.
- Operate effectively in dynamic field environments where schedules and priorities can shift quickly; work independently with limited guidance and maintain a strong safety culture at all times.

## What You’ll Need

- Engineering degree or 5+ years of relevant hands-on experience in robotics, electromechanical systems, systems integration, test engineering, or a comparable technical field.
- Strong troubleshooting ability across hardware and software; comfortable working around sensors, actuators, control systems, power systems, and networked equipment.
- Programming familiarity is required; enough to understand interfaces, automation, telemetry, logging, and debugging in a practical engineering environment. Linux experience is a plus, particularly for candidates with a software/integration focus.
- Experience collecting, organizing, and reporting technical test data; mechanically inclined and comfortable with tools, system setup, teardown, and reconfiguration in the field.
- Strong written and verbal communication; able to provide clear, useful feedback to engineers and leadership and comfortable operating in outdoor/range environments under strict safety procedures.

## What We Offer

- Competitive salary
- ACS Equity Package
- Health, Dental, Vision Insurance
- Paid Time Off

Allen Control Systems is an Equal Opportunity Employer, providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Allen Control Systems prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

## About Allen Control Systems

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Allen Control Systems (ACS) is a defense technology company building autonomous robotic weapon stations to counter drone swarms with cost-effective, AI-driven precision.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Series A; recent $200M round at $2.2B valuation)
- **Headquarters**: Austin, Texas, USA (also office in Alexandria, Virginia)
- **Founded**: 2023 (seed round closed April 2024)
- **Founders**: Luke Allen (CTO), Mike Wior (CEO), and Steve Simoni (President) – all U.S. Navy veterans and nuclear engineers

## Core Business
- **Primary industries**: Defense and space manufacturing, counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS), robotics, AI/computer vision
- **Target customers**: U.S. Department of Defense, allied militaries, national security agencies (B2G)
- **Mission/purpose**: To completely change battlefield economics by lowering the cost per kill of a drone to a few dollars, using existing weapon systems enhanced by proprietary hardware and software.

## Products & Services
- **Bullfrog™ Weapon Stations**: A family of autonomous, remotely operated weapon mounts (variants: M240C, M230, M2, M134, M240) that can be integrated with existing military platforms. Key features:
  - Passive sensing (no radar required) for stealth operations
  - Open architecture for integration with any C2 system
  - AI/ML-based fire control for precise targeting of Group 1–3+ UAS, including swarms and non-jammable drones
  - Effective range up to 1,500m depending on variant
- **Autonomous Fire Control Software**: Machine vision and synthetic data generation engine that continuously updates threat libraries and enables accurate engagement without human intervention.
- **Synthetic Data Training Pipeline**: Generates simulated threat scenarios to keep the system current with evolving drone threats.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation**: $2.2 billion (per 2026 $200M funding round; reported by company and media)
- **Total Funding**: ~$242M (Seed $12M led by Craft Ventures in 2024; Series A $30M led by Craft Ventures in 2025; undisclosed $200M round in 2026)
- **Notable Investors**: Craft Ventures (lead in multiple rounds)
- **Growth Signals**:
  - Headcount grew 262% year-over-year to 131 employees (LinkedIn, 2026)
  - Active job postings increased 392% year-over-year (64 open roles)
  - Recently won a contract for an "Autonomous Identification and Decision" drone solution (FAF contract)
  - Opened Innovation Lab and expanded to a second office (Alexandria, VA)

## Competitive Advantages
- **Passive sensing**: Operates without emitting radar, preserving battlefield stealth.
- **Cost per kill**: Drives engagement costs down to a few dollars per drone.
- **Open architecture**: Integrates with any existing command-and-control system and legacy weapon platforms.
- **Synthetic data generation**: Continuously trains AI models on emerging threats without needing real-world data.
- **Founders’ deep domain expertise**: Navy nuclear engineers with prior startup experience (Luke Allen co-founded Bbot, acquired by DoorDash).

## Strategic Focus
- Scaling production of Bullfrog systems for land and naval platforms.
- Advancing AI/computer vision to defeat larger (Group 3+) UAS and drone swarms.
- Expanding international customer base and partnering with allied defense forces.
- Building a robust supply chain and manufacturing capability in Austin.

## Why Work Here
- **Mission**: Directly contribute to protecting soldiers and changing the economics of drone warfare.
- **Culture**: Described as a remote-friendly organization with a strong engineering focus; HQ in Austin with a satellite office in Alexandria.
- **Work Model**: Remote core, but many roles require on-site presence in Austin for manufacturing and testing.
- **Growth**: Hyper-growth stage – employees have significant ownership and impact.
- **Tech Stack**: State-of-the-art tools: PyTorch, CUDA, Unreal Engine, ROS, Linux, Docker, Git, MLflow, and more.
- **Team**: High density of talent from SpaceX, Firefly, DoorDash, Lockheed Martin, and Carnegie Mellon.
- **Perks**: Not publicly detailed; typical for defense startups include competitive compensation, equity, and a chance to work on cutting-edge hardware-software integration.

## Sources
1. [Allen Control Systems – Company Page](https://www.allencontrolsystems.com/)
2. [Allen Control Systems – About/Team](https://www.allencontrolsystems.com/company)
3. [Allen Control Systems – Careers Page (Greenhouse)](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/allencontrolsystems)
4. [Allen Control Systems – LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/allen-control-systems)
5. [Allen Control Systems – Built In](https://builtin.com/company/allen-control-systems)

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