Ground Systems Test Engineer

Intuitive Machines; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Intuitive Machines in Houston, TX is seeking a Ground Systems Test Engineer to lead RF ground system testing for lunar missions, ensuring interfaces meet requirements and system performance.

You will define test environments, develop and execute test plans, and collaborate with systems, software, avionics, and GNC engineers to validate ground communications.

The role requires a Bachelor in EE/AE/Physics and 3+ years in communications; experience with SDRs, RF, and analysis tools is a plus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in EE/AE/Physics or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in communications or related field.
• Experience testing ground system requirements and interfaces.
• Strong problem-solving and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, team environment.

Responsibilities

• Test communication grounds systems to support satellite ground stations and missions.
• Define environment requirements and purchase/build test equipment/software.
• Test RF architectures, interfaces, and subsystems including antennas, transceivers, SDRs, LNAs, SSPAs, and filters.
• Test waveforms, modulation, coding, and synchronization methods.
• Perform RF system modeling, simulation, integration, testing, and troubleshooting.
• Analyze Eb/No, C/N, throughput, coverage, link margin for validation.
• Ensure ground systems comply with constraints, standards, and requirements.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure successful integration.

Skills

3+ years experience in comms

Problem solving

Collaborative work

Lunar/Deep-space comms

SDRs & RF systems

MATLAB/Simulink/GMAT/STK

Test equipment familiarity

CCSDS standards familiarity

Education

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

Tools

Spectrum analyzers

Vector network analyzers

Signal generators

Oscilloscopes

Job description

Ground Systems Test Engineer

Houston, TX, US

Ground Systems Test Engineer

Houston, TX

About Intuitive Machines:

Intuitive Machines is an innovative and cutting-edge space company making cislunar space accessible to both public and private customers. Our mission is to further science and exploration, communications, and economic progress from the Earth to the Moon and beyond. With multiple NASA lunar missions in development and additional private missions on our manifest, we pride ourselves in supporting NASA, our customers, and the nation in paving the way to return humans to the surface of the Moon. Our world-class team includes experts in all aspects of spacecraft subsystems design, development, and test, on-orbit operations, and safety.

Responsibilities:

• Test communication systemsto support satellite ground stations supporting satellites inlunar orbit, deep-space, satellite, and other mission applications.
• Define communication ground and subsystem test environment requirements and identify, purchase, and/or build test equipment/software.
• Test RF communication architectures, interfaces, and test activitiesincluding antennas, transceivers, SDRs, LNAs, SSPAs, filters, multiplexers, and related hardware.
• Test communication waveforms, modulation schemes, coding/FEC techniques, and synchronization methods.
• Perform RF system modeling, simulation, integration, testing, and troubleshooting activities.
• Conduct communication performance analyses including Eb/No, carrier-to-noise ratio, throughput, coverage, access, and link margin assessments as needed to validate and troubleshoot potential issues
• Ensure communication ground systems comply with applicableconstraints, standards,and requirements.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including systems, software, avionics, GNC, payload, and ground systems engineers, to ensure successful communication system integration.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience in communications or related fields.
• Experience testing communication ground system requirements and interface definitions.
• Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Experience with lunar, deep-space, or satellite communication systems.
• Experience with Software Defined Radios/modems (SDRs), optical, and/or RF communications systems
• Experience with communication analysis tools such as MATLAB, Simulink, STK,FreeFlyer, GMAT, or equivalent.
• Experience with test equipment including spectrum analyzers, vector network analyzers, signal generators, and oscilloscopes.
• Familiarity with government standards, CCSDS protocols, and spectrum management activities.
• Experience supporting communication subsystem integration, verification, environmental testing, and mission operations.

US EEO Statement:

Intuitive Machines is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.