Senior Space System Test & Evaluation Engineer

Palski & Associates, Inc.; Colorado Springs (CO); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

401k

PTO

Paid Holidays

PFML

Dependent Care Assistance

HRA

Job summary

Palski & Associates, Inc. seeks a senior Space Test Engineer to provide expert test, evaluation, and experimentation support for STARCOM Delta 12 at Schriever SFB. You will lead a small team of engineers on complex test programs and collaborate with customers to ensure mission success.

Responsibilities span design, execution, documentation, data analysis, and modeling/simulation, with emphasis on data-driven decisions and effective communication across programs and stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance is required.
• Experience with DoD test policy and guidance.
• 10+ years of experience with MS or 12+ with BS in relevant field.
• Proven ability to lead complex test engineering activities.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert senior test and evaluation support with development, operational, and integrated tests.
• Design, develop, and execute advanced test/experimentation programs.
• Create and review test docs: plans, data analysis, safety briefs, test cards.
• Review system designs to inform test planning and data management.
• Plan and execute Modeling and Simulation of performance and tactics.
• Support live test execution and debriefing.
• Perform data analysis and develop go/no-go criteria.
• Create/enhance data analysis tools; lead junior to mid-level engineers.

Skills

Test & evaluation

Team leadership

Modeling & Simulation

Astrodynamics

DoD policies & guidance

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree (operations research / engineering / math / science)

Master’s degree (engineering / OR / math / stats / science)

Tools

Space systems architectures

EO/IR/RF sensors

Spacecraft GNC

Satellite systems

Satellite mission planning

Job description

Confident in your technical capabilities, willing to continue learning new technologies as mission needs morph, desiring to live in Colorado Springs, CO and work at Schriever SFB, working side‑by‑side with our teammates and customers on a small‑agile team.

You will

Work with our team to provide support to the USSF Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM) Delta 12 mission at Schriever SFB, working with the Test and Evaluation Squadrons.

• Provide expert senior space test and evaluation support with an understanding of test, evaluation and experimentation and the distinctions between development, operational, and integrated tests
• Design, develop, and execute advanced test/experimentation programs and processes to conduct assessment of space systems
• Create and/or review test documentation including test plans, Safety Packets, Test Information Sheets and Data Analysis, and Management Plans, Technical and Safety Review Board Briefs, Test Cards, Test Readiness Briefs and Test/Analysis reports as required
• Work with programs to review systems, sub-systems, and components designs and testing to inform overarching system test planning and ensure data management and analysis plan (DMAP) provides proper data collection
• Plan and execute Modeling and Simulation of system performance and tactics to gather data and guide test result evaluation to determine if system configurations and architecture meet customer specifications, performance requirements and operational effectiveness
• Support live test execution of space systems including mission planning, execution, debriefing and reporting on system performance and test status
• Perform analysis on pre-test predictions, including those obtained through Modeling and Simulation, to design tests and events and profiles, define data collection requirements, and develop go/no go criteria to meet test objectives
• Set up data analysis requests, process data, perform data quality control review and anomaly resolution, and analyze data per the analysis plan
• Create/enhance data analysis tools to meet test objective and mission analysis
• Lead a team of Junior to Mid‑level Engineers to meet overall team objectives and scope

You have

• Demonstrated expertise in test, evaluation, and experimentation
• Experience successfully leading/managing complex test engineering activities including test strategy development, test planning, test execution and reporting and an aptitude and patience to process and analyze complex system test/experimentation data
• Experience using Design of Experiments and other Scientific Test and Analysis Techniques including modeling and simulation
• Space operations and/or orbital mechanics and knowledge of astrodynamics
• Understanding of orbital mechanics and/or space operations
• Demonstrated knowledge of relevant technologies: Space Systems Architectures, EO/IR/RF Sensors, Space related data communications, Spacecraft GNC, satellite systems, or satellite mission planning
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills
• Bachelor’s degree in operations research, Engineering, Math, or Science
• An active TS/SCI Clearance
• 12+ years’ experience with a BS, or 10+ years with a MS Degree
• Master’s Degree in Engineering, Operations Research, Math, Probability, Statistics or Science with 10+ Years of experience
• Understanding of relevant DoD and DAF Test Policy and Guidance
• Experienced with the DoD or as a Defense Contractor working with test and evaluation

Compensation

Base Salary: $150,000 – $210,000, however this is commensurate with experience. Annual bonuses can be significant becausethey are based on the extent to which the employee drives profitability for the company.

Benefits

Palski & Associates offers full time employees

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• 401k
• 3 weeks of accrued PTO
• Paid Holidays
• PFML
• Dependent Care Assistance
• a generous HRA105

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

Palski and Associates, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.