Avionics Test Engineer, Hardware

Outsiders Fund; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Healthcare

PTO 15–20 days

401(k)

Parental leave

Lunch provided

Playa Vista office

Job summary

Apex Technology, Inc. is seeking an Avionics Test Engineer, Hardware to join our test team in Playa Vista.

You will develop and maintain bus-level avionics test racks, testbeds, and supporting infrastructure for spacecraft hardware tests. You will work with electrical, mechanical, RF, software, and systems teams to define test architecture, bring-up flight hardware, troubleshoot issues, and drive reliability and throughput in development, qualification, and production environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or related field.
• 5+ years experience in aerospace hardware, avionics, electronics, or hardware testing.
• Hands-on experience with laboratory instrumentation and hardware bring-up.
• Ability to read electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and technical requirements.
• Strong problem-solving and independent issue resolution skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• U.S. Person (citizen or green card) per ITAR.

Responsibilities

• Own design, build, integration, and maintenance of bus-level and component-level avionics test racks.
• Develop and maintain FlatSats and avionics testbeds and supporting infrastructure.
• Lead hardware integration activities including harnessing and rack validation.
• Define test architecture with multiple engineering teams.
• Troubleshoot flight hardware using lab equipment like oscilloscopes and VNAs.
• Perform hardware bring-up, interface validation, and end-to-end system checkout.
• Develop test fixtures and custom hardware as needed.
• Support qualification, acceptance, regression, and spacecraft-level testing.
• Investigate failures and drive root-cause with responsible teams.
• Improve test infrastructure for coverage, reliability, and throughput.

Skills

Avionics

Hardware integration

Lab instrumentation

Test automation

Schematic reading

Troubleshooting

Python scripting

PCB design

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Multimeters

DAQ systems

VNAs

Vector signal generators

Job description

Spacecraft represent the most pressing unmet need across the entire aerospace industry. As more launch vehicles come online and the cost to orbit decreases, more companies launching payloads to space continue to emerge.

For the first time in history, this influx of payload companies combined with reduced launch costs has resulted in a massive increase in need for commercial spacecraft platforms, known as satellite buses. These buses hold the payloads of our customers and are flown on launch vehicles.

Apex manufactures these satellite buses at scale using a combination of software, vertical integration, and hardware that is designed for manufacturing. Our spacecraft enable the future of society: ranging from earth observation to communications and more.

We’d love for you to join us on our mission of providing humankind access to the galaxy beyond our planet.

About the Role

We’re looking for an Avionics Test Engineer, Hardware to join our growing test team.

In this role, you’ll focus on developing the test hardware, infrastructure, and platforms used to ensure our spacecraft hardware is built and performs to specification. You’ll work closely with electrical, mechanical, RF, software, and systems engineers to establish test requirements, develop test strategies, and troubleshoot flight hardware throughout development, qualification, production, and integration.

This is a highly hands-on role for an engineer who is comfortable owning technical work independently, enjoys working directly with flight hardware and integrated test environments, and wants to have a significant impact on how Apex tests spacecraft at scale.

Responsibilities:

Technical Work

• Own the design, build, integration, and maintenance of bus-level and component-level avionics test racks, including harness design, rack component selection, circuit design, and test infrastructure.

• Develop and maintain FlatSats and avionics testbeds, including electrical interfaces, emulators, EGSE, harnessing, and supporting infrastructure.

• Lead hardware integration activities including harnessing, fixturing, rack integration, and mechanical/electrical interface validation.

• Define test architecture and strategies in collaboration with electrical, mechanical, RF, software, and systems engineering teams.

• Troubleshoot flight hardware and test setup failures using laboratory instrumentation including oscilloscopes, multimeters, power supplies, DAQ systems, VNAs, and vector signal analyzers/generators.

• Perform hardware bring-up, interface validation, signal integrity troubleshooting, and end-to-end system checkout.

• Develop test fixtures, breakout boxes, interface electronics, and other custom test hardware as needed.

• Support component qualification, acceptance, regression, and spacecraft-level testing.

• Investigate test failures and hardware anomalies, determine root cause, and work with responsible engineering teams to drive issues to resolution.

• Improve test infrastructure and processes to increase coverage, reliability, repeatability, and throughput.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field.

• 5+ years of professional experience in aerospace hardware, avionics, electronics, or integrated hardware testing.

• Hands‑on experience with laboratory instrumentation and hardware bring‑up.

• Experience troubleshooting integrated electrical systems and complex test setups.

• Strong understanding of hardware integration, verification, and validation workflows.

• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, interface control documents, and technical requirements.

• Strong problem‑solving skills and the ability to independently drive technical issues to resolution.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Must be a U.S. Person (U.S. Citizen or Green Card holder) in accordance with ITAR requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience integrating or testing spacecraft, launch vehicles, avionics, or other flight electronics.

• Experience with:

  • Harness design and fabrication

  • Test fixturing

  • Environmental testing

  • Vibration testing

  • Component acceptance and qualification testing

• Experience in fast‑paced aerospace production, manufacturing, or integration environments.

• Experience designing PCBs or developing prototype electronics.

• Experience conducting sensor functional testing, avionics channelization, or electrical interface validation.

• Familiarity with embedded communication interfaces such as CAN, RS-422/485, UART, SPI, I2C, or Ethernet.

• Basic Python or scripting experience for test support, data collection, and automation.

Why Join Apex?

Apex believes in creating a work environment that you look forward to embracing every day. Our employees love working at Apex, and we want you to love it too. We're a fast‑growing startup that has raised more than $500M in funding, and we invest heavily in our people from day one.

What We Offer For Full‑time Employees:

• Shared upside: Receive equity in Apex, letting you benefit from the work you create

• Best‑in‑class healthcare: 100% company‑paid medical, dental, and vision for you and your dependents, plus $100k life insurance at no cost

• Comprehensive PTO package to reset and recharge - starting at 15 days vacation, growing to 20+ days annually, plus 10 paid holidays

• Competitive 401(k) plan with generous matching - 100% match on first 3%, 50% on next 2%

• 8 weeks paid parental leave plus childcare reimbursement up to $350/day for work‑related travel

• Daily catered lunch and unlimited snacks to keep you fueled throughout the day

• Vibrant community: Monthly office socials, pickleball tournaments, run club, and gatherings for you and your family

• Your dream desk setup and all the tools you need to be your most productive self

• World‑class Playa Vista office with the benefit of in‑person collaboration with amazing coworkers and flexibility to integrate work and life

• Real impact opportunity: Work alongside experts from aerospace, new space, and other cutting‑edge industries to make a lasting difference

Ready to join a team where your contributions matter and your future is bright? Let's build something extraordinary together.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Apex Technology, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.