Satellite - Ground Systems Engineer

Aurex; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Aurex seeks a Systems Test Engineer to lead a test team in the Strategic SATCOM program office, testing and validating complex space, ground, cryptographic, and hardware systems against requirements.

The role is on-site at Los Angeles AFB in El Segundo, CA, requiring 12+ years in DT&E, DoD TS/SCI clearance, and strong collaboration with government and FFRDCs.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in test, verification, and system integration for major defense acquisition programs involving complex space, ground, cryptographic, or hardware systems.
• Experience supporting government DT&E programs within a Lead Developmental Test Organization.
• Experience planning, executing, analyzing, and reporting DT&E activities, including operational-test readiness and required test artifacts.
• Experience translating requirements and interface specifications into test objectives, procedures, acceptance criteria, and verification evidence.
• Experience with Test Readiness Reviews, system-of-systems testing, space-to-ground integration testing, and deficiency management.

Responsibilities

• Lead test, verification, validation, and system integration activities for strategic satellite communications capabilities.
• Plan, execute, analyze, and report on developmental test and evaluation activities.
• Translate system requirements and interface specs into test objectives and verification evidence.
• Support Test Readiness Reviews, system-of-systems testing, and space-to-ground integration testing.
• Develop Test & Evaluation Master Plans, System Test Plans, and verification reports.
• Identify test deficiencies and areas requiring urgent mitigation early in development.
• Collaborate with government clients, FFRDCs, and contractor teammates to achieve program goals.

Skills

DT&E planning

Test & Evaluation

System integration

Requirements translation

Cross-functional collaboration

Effective communication

DoD TS/SCI clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Mathematics/Physics/Computer Science

Tools

Jira

Confluence

DOORS

MagicDraw

Digital engineering models

Job description

Who We Are

Aurex is a mission-focused aerospace and defense company building the next frontier of deterrence. From hypersonics and missile defense to hardened networks and orbital systems, we design, test, and deliver the platforms that turn unproven ideas into battlefield-ready capability.

Born in Huntsville and built for speed, Aurex brings together aerospace veterans, combat-tested operators, and forward-leaning technologists to solve problems that matter—fast. We move from whiteboard to warfighter with precision, clarity, and zero tolerance for fluff.

Job Description

The Systems Test Engineer will lead a test team within the Strategic SATCOM program office supporting the next generation of strategic satellite communications capabilities. This role will test, analyze, evaluate, verify, and validate systems against established requirements while identifying issues requiring urgent mitigation early in development to support the delivery of advanced technology solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead test, verification, validation, and system integration activities for strategic satellite communications capabilities.
• Plan, execute, analyze, and report on developmental test and evaluation (DT&E) activities, including operational-test readiness and required test artifacts.
• Translate system requirements and interface specifications into test objectives, procedures, acceptance criteria, and verification evidence.
• Support Test Readiness Reviews, system-of-systems testing, space-to-ground integration testing, and deficiency management.
• Develop Test and Evaluation Master Plans, System Test Plans, and requirements verification plans and reports.
• Identify test deficiencies and areas requiring urgent mitigation early in system development.
• Collaborate with government clients, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), and associate contractor teammates to achieve program goals.

Basic Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in test, verification, and system integration for major defense acquisition programs involving complex space, ground, cryptographic, or hardware systems.
• Experience supporting government DT&E programs within a Lead Developmental Test Organization.
• Experience planning, executing, analyzing, and reporting DT&E activities, including operational-test readiness and required test artifacts.
• Experience translating requirements and interface specifications into test objectives, procedures, acceptance criteria, and verification evidence.
• Experience with Test Readiness Reviews, system-of-systems testing, space-to-ground integration testing, and deficiency management.
• Experience with DAFMAN 63-119, Mission-Oriented Test Readiness Certification.
• Experience developing Test and Evaluation Master Plans, System Test Plans, and requirements verification plans and reports.
• Ability to communicate effectively and establish collaborative relationships with government clients, FFRDCs, and associate contractor teammates.
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently, demonstrating initiative to complete complex tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Active DoD TS/SCI clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree in a technical field such as Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or Computer Science.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with DoD space, SATCOM, or satellite ground systems.
• Experience with Agile tools, including Jira and Confluence.
• Experience performing interoperability testing, integrated test events, and operational acceptance activities.
• Experience with DOORS, MagicDraw, digital engineering models, or tools supporting requirements and verification traceability.
• Knowledge of verification and validation of software or database releases.
• Knowledge of DoD 5000-series acquisition guidance, MIL-STD-3022, DoDAF, and IEEE 15288 lifecycle standards.
• Test and evaluation professional certification, such as ITEA Certified Test and Evaluation Professional (CTEP).
• INCOSE Systems Engineering Professional certification, such as ASEP, CSEP, or ESEP.

How You Will Be Rewarded

The salary range for this role is $170,000 - $200,000 annually. We offer a comprehensive total rewards approach to compensation, providing incentives and benefits that extend far beyond the base salary. Compensation is determined by the candidate’s work experience, education, training, and relevant skills. We offer a competitive benefits package designed to support our employees' health, well-being, and professional growth.

Note:

This position has an on-site requirement at Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo, CA. All candidates must be willing and able to report on-site 3–5 days per week, based on mission and customer requirements.

Aurex is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It prohibits discrimination, retaliation, or any type of harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, citizenship, immigration status, or any other legally protected status in employment, including in hiring, firing, and recruiting decisions. All applicants must be authorized to work lawfully in the United States for positions at Aurex. There may be limited circumstances in which a law, regulation, executive order, or government contract would require certain citizenship; only in those limited circumstances would Aurex require certain citizenship status to comply with the relevant law, regulation, executive order, or government contract applicable to that position. For all other positions, Aurex does not consider an applicant’s citizenship but only requires that the applicant be authorized to work lawfully in the United States. If a position is one that falls under export control laws and regulations requiring authorization from the U.S. government to access export-controlled items, any hiring is contingent on the applicant passing the export compliance assessment, which is separate from the I‑9 process, for that specific position. A background check will be required prior to any hire.

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