Aerospace Test Engineer III

L'Garde, Inc.; Tustin (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company-paid medical, dental, vision

Retirement plan with company matching

Flexible spending account

Life and long-term disability coverage

Professional development assistance

Paid time off & holidays

Opportunities to grow technical skills

Job summary

Labeled as an aerospace company in California, L'Garde, Inc. seeks an experienced systems integration and test engineer to advance spacecraft payloads from development through qualification and acceptance.

You will plan and execute campaigns, work directly with hardware, and resolve integration challenges, delivering verifiable spaceflight systems. The role requires hands-on testing with thermal, vacuum, vibration, and acoustic environments, data acquisition using LabVIEW, and collaboration

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, or related technical field.
• At least five years of systems integration and test experience with hardware components/systems.
• At least two years across multiple phases of the system design life cycle (development through qualification and acceptance).
• At least three years of space systems environmental testing (thermal, vacuum, vibration, shock, acoustic).
• Experience developing and executing test procedures.
• MBSE experience and SysML proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Plan, develop, and execute tests at component, subsystem, and integrated-system levels for spacecraft payloads and space structures.
• Define test objectives and methods, then write test plans and procedures meeting standards.
• Design and support mechanical/electrical test fixtures and ground support equipment.
• Perform environmental testing including thermal, vacuum, vibration, shock, and acoustic tests.
• Integrate hardware and hardware/software systems and support end-to-end testing.
• Collect, monitor, and analyze test data with data acquisition systems (e.g., NI LabVIEW).
• Identify trends/anomalies, investigate results, and recommend improvements.
• Prepare clear test reports and documentation; support configuration management for tests.
• Work with engineering, technicians, customers, and programs to refine test plans and verify requirements.
• Support customer discussions, technical interchange meetings, and program reviews.
• Contribute to proposals, presentations, and briefings for advanced aerospace programs.

Skills

Citizenship / Security clearance

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or科学/

5+ years systems integration & test

2+ years across system design life

3+ years space env testing (thermal, V

MBSE

SysML

Test fixtures design (SolidWorks)

Data acquisition (NI LabVIEW)

Hardware/software integration & test

MS Office & MS Project

Strong communication & organization

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, or related field

Tools

SolidWorks

NI LabVIEW

MS Office

MS Project

Job description

The Opportunity

PTF Consulting is recruiting for an aerospace company with more than 50 years of experience designing, developing, manufacturing, and qualifying deployable systems for major aerospace contractors and government agencies. Its engineering and technician teams support hardware intended for demanding environments in space, on the moon, and beyond.

This hands-on systems integration and test role will help take spacecraft payloads and space structures from development through qualification and acceptance. You will plan and run test campaigns, work directly with hardware, resolve integration challenges, and provide the evidence needed to verify system performance and deliver reliable spaceflight systems.

What You Will Do

• Plan, develop, and execute tests at the component, subsystem, and integrated-system levels for spacecraft payloads and space structures.
• Define test objectives and methods, then write detailed test plans and procedures that meet applicable government, industry, and company standards.
• Design and support mechanical and electrical test fixtures, ground support equipment, and other test hardware.
• Perform environmental testing, including thermal, vacuum, vibration, shock, and acoustic testing.
• Integrate hardware and hardware/software systems and support end-to-end testing.
• Collect, monitor, and analyze test data using data acquisition systems such as NI LabVIEW or equivalent tools.
• Identify trends and anomalies, investigate results, and recommend improvements.
• Prepare clear test reports and technical documentation; support configuration management and control for test and integration activities.
• Work with engineering, technician, customer, and program teams to refine test plans, reduce risk, and verify and validate requirements.
• Support customer discussions, technical interchange meetings, and program reviews.
• Contribute to proposals, presentations, and technical briefings for advanced aerospace programs.

Required Experience and Skills

• U.S. citizenship and eligibility to obtain a security clearance are required.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, or a related technical field.
• At least five years of systems integration and test experience with hardware components and systems.
• At least two years working across multiple phases of the system design life cycle, with hands-on experience from development through qualification and acceptance testing.
• At least three years of space systems environmental testing experience, including thermal, vacuum, vibration, shock, and acoustic testing.
• Experience developing and executing test procedures
• At least two years of Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) experience and two years working with SysML.
• At least two years designing test fixtures; SolidWorks proficiency is required and will be assessed.
• At least one year using data acquisition systems and software such as NI LabVIEW or equivalent tools.
• Experience with hardware/software integration and testing.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Microsoft Project.
• Strong organization, attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.
• Clear written and verbal communication and effective collaboration across disciplines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Secret or Top Secret security clearance is strongly preferred, not required.
• An advanced degree in a relevant technical field.
• Experience supporting NASA or Department of Defense programs, satellite systems, or spaceflight hardware; the application criteria identify two years as preferred.
• Familiarity with GSFC-STD-7000, SMC-S-016, or comparable standards; one year of testing to either named standard is preferred.

Work Arrangement

This position is based on-site in Tustin, California 92780. Candidates must be able to commute to the site or relocate before starting. A current Tustin location is preferred, not required.

• Company-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents.
• Retirement plan with company matching and profit sharing.
• Flexible spending account and employee assistance program.
• Company-sponsored life and long-term disability insurance.
• Professional development assistance and education/tuition reimbursement.
• Paid time off, with up to four weeks in the first year, and a paid holiday schedule.
• Hands-on work with advanced aerospace technology and opportunities to broaden responsibilities and technical skills.

The employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including individuals with disabilities and veterans, and participates in E-Verify.