Aerospace Test Engineer III

L'Garde, Inc.; Tustin (CA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental coverage

Vision coverage

Retirement match

Education reimbursement

Paid time off (up to 4 weeks)

Holiday pay

Job summary

L·Garde, Inc. is seeking a Systems Integration and Test Engineer III to lead test campaigns for spacecraft payloads and space structures. The role focuses on planning, executing, and documenting tests across the full system life cycle in a hands-on hardware environment.

Ideal candidates have a bachelor's in engineering and at least five years' experience in space hardware testing, with proficiency in LabVIEW and CAD. Space/DoD familiarity and U.S. citizenship for clearance are preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Science, or related field.
• Five+ years of experience in systems integration and test activities for hardware components and systems.
• Experience across multiple phases of the system design life cycle (development through qualification).
• Direct experience with space systems environmental testing (thermal, vacuum, vibration, shock, acoustic).
• Experience in test procedure development and execution.
• Experience designing test fixtures using CAD tools such as SolidWorks or similar.
• Experience with NASA or DoD programs preferred.
• Proficiency with data acquisition systems and NI LabVIEW.
• Detail-oriented, organized, and team-focused.
• U.S. citizenship with ability to obtain clearance.

Responsibilities

• Plan, develop, and execute component, subsystem, and integrated system test campaigns for spacecraft payloads and structures.
• Define test objectives and methods; write detailed plans and procedures per gov/industry standards.
• Design and support test fixtures, ground support equipment, and test hardware.
• Execute environmental testing including thermal, vacuum, vibration, shock, and acoustic tests.
• Perform hardware/software integration and end-to-end system testing.
• Collect and analyze test data using data acquisition tools like NI LabVIEW.
• Document results and generate test reports and technical docs.
• Support configuration management related to testing and integration.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to refine test plans and verify system requirements.
• Analyze data to identify improvements and trends.
• Support customer interactions and program reviews as needed.
• Contribute to proposals and technical briefings for aerospace programs.

Skills

Test engineering

Systems integration

Data acquisition

CAD (SolidWorks)

NASA/DoD experience

Clearance eligibility

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

NI LabVIEW

SolidWorks

Job description

L·Garde is a full-service design, development, manufacturing, and qual test supplier to Tier 1 primes and government agencies. We provide engineering services and skilled technicians to make your Skunk Works-type project a reality. With over 50 years of aerospace expertise, our deployable systems test the limits of what's possible in the harshest of environments in space, on the moon, and even on other planets.

If you’re an engineer who enjoys being hands-on with hardware, solving complex integration challenges, and seeing systems through from development to qualification, our Systems Integration and Test Engineer III role is for you. Join our growing aerospace team where your expertise in testing, integration, and collaboration will directly support mission success and flight-ready hardware.

A Day in the Life:

We’re looking for a Systems Integration and Test Engineer who is technically driven, detail-oriented, and thrives in a hands-on environment. In this role, you’ll plan, develop, and execute test campaigns for spacecraft payloads and space structure programs across the full system design life cycle.

You’ll work closely with engineers, technicians, customers, and program teams to ensure hardware performs as intended in some of the most demanding environments imaginable. From writing test procedures to running environmental tests and analyzing data, your work will be central to verifying performance, reducing risk, and delivering reliable spaceflight systems.

Key Responsibilities:

• Plan, develop, and execute component-level, subsystem-level, and integrated system test campaigns for spacecraft payloads and space structures.
• Define test objectives and methods; author detailed test plans and procedures in accordance with government, industry, and company standards.
• Design and support mechanical and electrical test fixtures, ground support equipment, and test support hardware.
• Execute environmental testing including thermal, vacuum, vibration, shock, and acoustic testing.
• Perform hardware and hardware/software integration and support end-to-end system testing.
• Collect, monitor, and analyze test data using data acquisition tools such as NI LabVIEW or equivalent.
• Document test results and generate clear, accurate test reports and technical documentation.
• Support configuration management and control activities related to testing and hardware integration.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to refine test plans, burn down risk, and verify and validate system requirements.
• Analyze test data to identify trends, anomalies, and opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Support customer interactions, technical interchange meetings, and program reviews as needed.
• Contribute to proposals, presentations, and technical briefings for advanced aerospace programs.

Who You Are:

• You hold a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Science, or a related technical field (advanced degree a plus).
• You have a minimum of five (5) years of experience performing systems integration and test activities for hardware components and systems.
• You bring hands-on experience across multiple phases of the system design life cycle, from development through qualification and acceptance testing.
• You have direct experience with space systems environmental testing (thermal, vacuum, vibration, shock, acoustic).
• You are experienced in test procedure development and execution.
• You have experience designing test fixtures using CAD tools such as SolidWorks or similar software.
• You are comfortable working with hardware/software integration and testing.
• Experience supporting NASA or Department of Defense programs, satellite systems, or spaceflight hardware is strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with standards such as GSFC-STD-7000, SMC-S-016, or similar industry standards is a plus.
• You are proficient with data acquisition systems and software such as NI LabVIEW or equivalent.
• You are detail-oriented, organized, and adaptable in a fast-paced environment.
• You communicate clearly and effectively, both in writing and verbally, and collaborate well across teams and disciplines.
• You have the ability to obtain a U.S. Security Clearance (U.S. Citizenship required); Top Secret Clearance is a plus.
• Strong problem-solving mindset and passion for working in a team-driven culture.

What We Offer:

• Be at the forefront of aerospace innovation by working on cutting-edge aerospace technologies.
• Opportunity to wear multiple hats and grow your skill set.
• Collaborative and inclusive work culture where your contributions are highly valued.
• Top-Tiered Benefits, 100% of both employee and dependents are covered by the company = Medical, Dental, Vision
• Flexible Spending Account
• Retirement, Company Match and Profit Sharing
• Company-Sponsored Life and LTD Insurance
• Education Reimbursement
• Generous Paid Time Off Policy with up to 4 weeks in the first year.
• Robust Paid Holiday Schedule

Compensation Range: $115k - $150k. This is an exempt position.

Join us as a Systems Integration and Test Engineer III, where you’ll play a critical role in verifying, validating, and delivering high-performance space systems-while continuing to grow your expertise in a collaborative, mission-focused environment.

L·Garde is an equal opportunity employer, including individuals with disabilities and veterans, and participates in the E-Verify Program.