Avionics Hardware Test Engineer — Spacecraft Validation

Apex - Satellite Platforms; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity in Apex

Best-in-class healthcare

PTO 15 days + holidays

401(k) with generous match

8 weeks parental leave

Lunch and snacks

Playa Vista office

Impactful work in aerospace

Job summary

Apex Technology, Inc. in Playa Vista, CA is seeking a Hardware Test Engineer to join our avionics test team.

You’ll own the build, configuration, and maintenance of bus-level and component-level test racks, lead hardware integration, and perform flight hardware troubleshooting on integrated test environments. This hands-on role requires coordinating with electrical, mechanical, RF, and systems engineers to run qualification campaigns, document tests, and drive environmental and RF validation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or related field.
• 5+ years of professional experience in aerospace hardware or electronics testing.
• Hands-on experience with laboratory instrumentation and hardware bring-up.
• Familiarity with avionics hardware and embedded communication protocols (UART, SPI, CAN, I2C).
• Experience troubleshooting integrated electrical systems and test setups.
• Strong understanding of hardware integration and validation workflows.
• Must be a U.S. Person (U.S. Citizen or Green Card holder) in accordance with ITAR requirements.

Responsibilities

• Own the build, configuration, and maintenance of bus-level and/or component-level test racks.
• Lead hardware integration activities including harnessing, fixturing, rack integration, and interface validation.
• Own troubleshooting of flight hardware and test setup failures using lab instrumentation.
• Support Flatsat operation and maintenance activities as needed.
• Execute and document functional checkouts, acceptance testing, environmental screening, and integrated system validation.
• Support environmental and qualification campaigns including EMI/EMC, vibration, thermal cycling, and TVAC.
• Execute RF and avionics validation testing for antennas, radios, transceivers, GNSS systems, LNAs and PAs, RF switches, and couplers.

Skills

UART

SPI

CAN

I2C

Laboratory instrumentation

Python scripting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or related field

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Multimeters

Power supplies

DAQ systems

VNAs

Vector signal analyzers/generators

Job description

Apex Technology, Inc. in Playa Vista, CA is seeking a Hardware Test Engineer to join our avionics test team.

You’ll own the build, configuration, and maintenance of bus-level and component-level test racks, lead hardware integration, and perform flight hardware troubleshooting on integrated test environments. This hands-on role requires coordinating with electrical, mechanical, RF, and systems engineers to run qualification campaigns, document tests, and drive environmental and RF validation.