Senior Test Engineer

CesiumAstro, Inc.; Austin, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

HSA

FSA

Retirement plans

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Job summary

CesiumAstro, Inc. is seeking a Senior Test Engineer to design and implement test plans for board-level electronics in a space/ aerospace context.

You will work with hardware and software to create flexible test campaigns, data storage methods, and automation tools in Python or similar languages. The role emphasizes developing modular test software, reliability-focused test solutions, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical Engineering from an accredited university.
• Minimum 5 years of industry or university research in design, analysis, and implementation of electronic products and/or test systems.
• Experience designing and executing test plans for custom board-level electronics.
• Hands-on experience with lab instruments (oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, RF generators, vector analyzers).
• Programming or scripting in Python, LabVIEW, SQL, MATLAB, or Embedded C.

Responsibilities

• Develop test architectures and test systems, including equipment, fixtures, data logging, and interfaces.
• Design and execute tests at prototype, qualification, and acceptance stages.
• Develop test requirements for new products.
• Design tests compliant with standards (NASA GEVS).
• Plan and execute board-level verification tests (high-speed SI, digital links, power, temp).
• Develop systems for testing complex hardware/software (e.g., phased array products).
• Advise design team on design-for-testability (DFT).
• Evaluate and document test results; present to stakeholders.

Skills

Test architecture

Lab instruments

Python

DFT

Test software development

Education

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering

Tools

SCPI

LabVIEW

Git

VISA

GPIB

Job description

Please Note: To conform with the United States Government Space Technology Export Regulations, the applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., conditional resident, asylee or refugee (protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

At CesiumAstro, we are developers and pioneers of out-of-the-box communication systems for satellites, UAVs, launch vehicles, and other space and airborne platforms. We take pride in our dynamic and cross-functional work environment, which allows us to learn, develop, and engage across our organization. If you are looking for hands-on, interactive, and autonomous work, CesiumAstro is the place for you. We are actively seeking passionate, collaborative, energetic, and forward-thinking individuals to join our team.

We are looking to add a Senior Test Engineer to our team. If you are excited about working in a startup environment and are passionate about developing critical test systems for leading-edge satellite, spacecraft, and aerospace communication systems, we would like to hear from you.

In this position, you will be responsible for the design, analysis, and implementation of engineering test plans and procedures for board-level electronics products, including power, digital, and RF electronics. The ideal candidate possesses a strong combination of hardware and software knowledge with proficiencies in measurement techniques, test equipment, test architectures, automation, and integrated system testing. The successful candidate will work closely with multi-disciplinary teams to address company-wide test needs.

This role will be responsible for software products necessary throughout all phases of test and integration. Key projects will include developing and managing software for interfacing with flight hardware and test equipment in an abstract and flexible manner that can be quickly implemented into a variety of test campaigns, developing methods to store and access generated data, and equipping the test team with other software tools necessary to efficiently accomplish ambitious testing goals. Additionally, designing test solutions for flight hardware optimizing for reliability and efficiency, and developing modular, reusable test and automation software in Python (or similar languages) implemented in a variety of test applications to verify design and build quality.

A Senior Test Engineer I is distinguished by an ability to architect test systems, to draw insightful conclusions from test results, and to participate in “design for test” planning and review from the early stages of product development. The successful candidate will present engineering design review materials to our customers and executive team, as well as participate in proposal-writing efforts. As such, excellent written and verbal communication skills are required.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Developing test architectures and test systems, including equipment selection, test fixtures, data logging methodology, and interfaces.
• Designing and executing tests at the prototype, qualification, and acceptance stages.
• Developing test requirements for new products.
• Designing tests for compliance with standards, such as NASA GEVS (GSFC-STD-7000).
• Planning and executing board-level verification tests, such as high-speed signal integrity, digital link characterization, power supply performance, and performance over temperature.
• Designing and developing systems for testing complex integrated hardware and software, such as phased array products that combine radios, computers, and phased array antennas.
• Advising design engineering team on design-for-testability (DFT).
• Evaluating and documenting test results, presenting them to key stakeholders.
• Contributing to the continuous improvement of in-house tools, such as test software and documentation templates.
• Training technicians and operators to perform tests.
• Contributing to lab buildout and lab management.

JOB REQUIREMENTS AND MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• A Bachelor of Science (BS) or higher degree in Electrical Engineering or similar from an accredited university.
• A minimum of 5 years of industry or university research experience in design, analysis, and implementation of electronic products and/or test systems.
• Experience designing and executing test plans for custom board-level electronics.
• Hands-on experience with lab instruments such as digital oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, RF signal generators, and vector signal analyzers.
• Programming or scripting experience, such as Python, LabVIEW, SQL, MATLAB, or Embedded C.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

• Experience working in a version-controlled environment (Git or SVN).
• Knowledge of Windows and Linux operating systems, VLANs, and network security.
• Experience developing graphical user interfaces for a production environment.
• Extensive knowledge of a range of digital and analog interfaces including GPIB, USB, VISA, TCP/IP, VLAN, CAN bus, SPI, I2C, and analog-to-digital conversion.
• Experience programming test equipment using SCPI.

CesiumAstro considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills. Full-time employment offers include company stock options and a generous benefits package including health, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, life, disability and retirement plans.

CesiumAstro is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard torace, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Please note: CesiumAstro does not accept unsolicited resumes from contract agencies or search firms. Any unsolicited resumes submitted to our website or to CesiumAstro team members will be considered property of CesiumAstro, and we will not be obligated to pay any referral fees.