Senior Space RCO Test Engineer

EXPANSIA; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

EXPANSIA, working with Aether Aerospace, seeks a Senior Test Engineer to provide SETA to the Space Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO). The role supports design, testing, and integration of space hardware and software for rapid, high-stakes missions.

The candidate will work with a small, empowered team on highly classified programs at Kirtland AFB and Albuquerque, NM. You will apply advanced test principles to satellite buses, subsystems, ground systems, and mission-critical C2 requirements while

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance with SAP eligibility; willingness to submit to polygraph.
• Minimum ten (10) years DoD/IC or relevant industry experience.
• ABET-accredited engineering degree or professional engineering license/MA/MS/ME degree.
• Must maintain TS/SCI clearance as a condition of employment.
• Experience testing satellite systems.
• Understanding of operational environment and mission user needs.
• Knowledge of space system engineering, development, and manufacturing.
• DoD program management experience including program development and transition.
• Experience with Integrated Master Schedules and risk management.
• Experience with SOW and Performance Work Statements (PWS).

Responsibilities

• Supports design, interpretation, and analysis of test solutions for complex disciplinary testing.
• Plans and performs test research, development, and other assignments per specs.
• Evaluates system architecture and component testing to reduce redundancy across programs.
• Provides technical expertise for performance analysis, test plans, and test scenarios.
• Responsible for technical/engineering planning and execution of major and minor testing.
• Leads authoring, evaluation and execution of master test plans and system acceptance.
• Coordinates with multiple partners to ensure test milestones are met.
• Communicate complex ideas clearly to management and leadership.

Skills

TS/SCI clearance with SAP eligibility

DoD/IC experience

Program management experience

Communication of complex results

Education

ABET-accredited engineering degree

Professional Engineering license or MA/MS/ME degree

Tools

Integrated Master Schedules (IMS)

SOW / PWS development

Job description

Start Date: Immediate

JHNA,CTSi, and EXPANSIA have come together to form a Defense Technology platform named Aether Aerospace focused on delivering high-impact technologies, technology-enabled services and advanced manufacturing solutions to the U.S. Department of Defense and related national security customers. Backed by Falfurrias Management Partners, the platform brings together deep domainexpertiseacross Army, Navy, and Air Force and Space Force programs, digital engineering, systems integration, and specialized manufacturing capabilities.

The combined organizationoperatesas a multi-entity aerospace and defense technology and tech-enabled services and manufacturing enterprise positioned for scalable growth, operational excellence, and long-term value creation.

OVERVIEW

Full-time/Permanent Employee

Location: Albuquerque, NM

Our client is searching for asenior Test Engineer (TE)to support development of first-of-kind space vehicles and missions. This handpicked candidate must possess technical expertise and experience with developing, designing, building, and integrating space hardware and software. In this position, you will provide System Engineering Technical Assistance (SETA) to the Space Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO). The Space RCO program office, located at Kirtland AFB, NM, is a small, streamlined organization with dedicated, organic acquisition support functions: contracting, financial management, human resources, security, program management and technical engineering support that are critical in enabling the rapid response required for classified space programs. The mission is to develop and deliver operationally dominant space capabilities at the speed of warfighting relevance in response to Commander, U.S. Space Command requirements. A successful candidate should be a leader and problem solver with a proven ability to deliver superior results as part of a high performing team in a high-profile, fast-paced environment.

You will work in a small, highly empowered team where every team member is directly responsible for the success of the program. Engineering responsibilities span technology domains including space rated hardware, software, sensors, and processors in an extremely fast-paced, responsive development environment. This SETA candidate will provide in-depth test background on satellite vehicle bus, subsystems, and/or ground systems to improve program office insight into state-of-the art commercial and legacy mission systems, and C2 requirements and capabilities. You must apply advanced principles, theories, and concepts for highly classified systems, while also effectively communicating complex results with management and executive leadership.

SETA Role and Responsibilities:

• Supports design, interpretation, and analysis of technical solutions to complex discipline-specific testing


• Plans and performs test research, development, and other assignments in conformance with design, engineering, and customer specifications


• Evaluates system architecture and component testing to eliminate unnecessary redundancy and align capabilities across multiple programs and/or agencies


• Provides technical expertise for performance analysis, test plan design and test scenarios for functional testing, security testing, and vulnerability analysis of ground and space operations tools and capabilities


• Responsible for the technical/engineering planning and execution of major and minor testing necessary on project(s)


• Leads authoring, evaluation and/or execution of program test and evaluation master plan as well as system acceptance planning; interfaces with multiple mission partners, overseeing test and system engineering working groups


• Coordinates with multiple partners/agencies to ensure test communities support delivery milestones.


• Work on high-visibility or mission critical aspects of a given program and perform all functional duties independently


• Oversee the efforts of less senior staff and/or be responsible for the efforts of all staff assigned to a specific job


• Translate complex ideas and data into simple, actionable recommendations or easily differentiated courses of action


• Communicate clearly, concisely, and with technical accuracy—oral and written


• Travel required up to 30% of time within the CONUS

KEY QUALIFICATIONS

• Clearance: Active TS/SCI clearance with SAP eligibility (no less than 2 years total SAP and/or SCI environment experience, with 1-year total within last 5 years) and willingness to submit to a Counter-Intelligence polygraph


• Years of Experience: Minimum ten (10) years DoD/IC, or relevant industry work experience


• Education: An applicable engineering degree from an ABET accredited program or possess a Professional Engineering license/ MA/MS/ME degree


• Candidate must maintain a TS/SCI clearance as a condition of employment


• Proven experience and/or qualifications in in testing satellite systems


• Understanding of operational environment and corresponding mission user needs


• Knowledge of space system engineering, development, and manufacturing


• Experience in DoD program management including program development and transition


• Experience with Integrated Master Schedules, and risk management


• Experience with Statements of Work (SOW) and Performance Work Statements (PWS)

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Five (5) years of relevant DoD and/or Industry work experience with SAP and/or SCI


• System Engineering Technical Assistance (SETA) to Government program office


• Experience with rapid prototyping


• Experience with integrated air, space, and cyberspace capabilities


• Experience developing, deploying, and maintaining ground mission planning architecture and software


• Experience with ACAT I/II level acquisition programs


• Experience using multivariable optimization in mission planning software systems


• Experience in planning and executing test campaigns for space systems


• Fluency with IC organizations

$180,000 - $210,000 a year

The proposed salary range for this position is $180,000 - $230,000. There are a host of factors that can influence final salary including, but not limited to, Federal Government contract labor categories and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, geographic location, education, and certifications.

Aether Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected characteristic.