Space Test Engineer

HawkEye 360; Herndon (VA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

HawkEye 360 is seeking a Space Test Engineer to join the Assembly, Integration, & Test (AI&T) Team in Herndon, VA. You will own spacecraft-level test development, improve procedures, and enable reliable validation of RF payloads and subsystems.

You will execute tests, modernize procedures, and design test support equipment while collaborating with software and hardware teams to ensure rigorous verification and smooth I&T campaigns onsite.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering or Electrical Engineering.
• 1–5 years of professional experience.
• Proficiency in Python, preferably for automated testing.
• Experience with CAD software (NX or SolidWorks).
• Ability to work onsite with spacecraft hardware and follow ESD/cleanroom protocols.

Responsibilities

• Execute unit-level and spacecraft-level functional tests; analyze results and update test procedures.
• Modernize test procedures for clarity, efficiency, and coverage.
• Design, plan and execute environmental tests (TVAC, Vibe, EMI/EMC, radiation).
• Design ground support equipment (EGSE/MGSE) for flatsats and flight hardware.
• Collaborate with software team to implement automated test scripts and framework.
• Develop design documents, ICDs, test plans and procedures across subsystems.
• Support launch site integration and test campaigns.
• Work with limited oversight in a fast-paced I&T environment and escalate issues as needed.

Skills

Python

Analytical skills

Written & presentation skills

Hands-on hardware experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace or Electrical Engineering

1-5 years professional experience

Tools

NX

SolidWorks

EGSE/MGSE design

Job description

HawkEye 360 is seeking a Space Test Engineer to join theAssembly, Integration, & Test (AI&T) Team. The Space Team's mission is to design, build, and test small commercial satellites that provide revolutionary RF geospatial analytics.

In this role, you will serve as a technical owner for development, improvement, and execution of spacecraft-level test programs. You will modernize existing test procedures, design new ones, and ensure that HawkEye 360's spacecraft are verified with rigor, efficiency, and engineering excellence. This position requires strong hands-on experience, systems-level awareness, and the ability to design test support equipment that enables reliable validation of complex RF payloads and spacecraft subsystems.

Your main responsibilities will be:

• Independently execute unit-level and spacecraft-level functional tests, analyze results, and drive updates to test procedures based on findings.
• Modernize existing test procedures to increase clarity, efficiency, and coverage.
• Design, plan and execute environmental tests (TVAC, Vibe, EMI/EMC, radiation)
• Design harnessing, electrical and mechanical ground support equipment (EGSE and MGSE) to facilitate I&T work for flatsats and flight hardware
• Collaborate with the software team to execute and implement automated test scripts and framework
• Develop and refine detailed design documents, interface control drawing (ICD's), test plans, and test procedures across spacecraft subsystems.
• Support launch site integration and test campaigns
• Work with limited oversight in a fast-paced integration and test environment, making informed technical decisions and escalating issues appropriately.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• 1-5 years professional experience
• Proficiency in Python or another high-level programming language, preferably for automated testing.
• Experience with CAD software (NX, Solidworks, or similar)
• Strong analytical and strategic skills, with excellent written and presentation abilities.
• Experience developing or improving aerospace test procedures, verification flows, or test infrastructure
• Experience designing or modifying EGSE/MGSE to support spacecraft integration.
• Ability to work onsite and hands-on with spacecraft hardware, following strict ESD and cleanroom protocols.

Desirable

• Interest working in the smallsat or space industry with RF payloads or communication systems.
• Experience handling expensive electronic components (ESD and Cleanroom best practices).
• Experience with Printed Circuit Board (PCB) design using Altium.
• Experience writing technical documentation such as test procedures and test plans
• Experience using lab equipment such as Digital Multimeters, Spectrum Analyzers, Network Analyzers, Signal Generators, and Thermal Chambers
• Strong troubleshooting skills in complex electromechanical or RF systems

Compensation

We offer a compensation package that includes a competitive base salary plus annual performance bonus and benefits. We consider many factors when determining salary offers, such as candidate's work experience, education, training & skills, as well as market and business considerations. We are also open to considering candidates with experience and qualifications at a different level than required in a job posting, which may affect the compensation package offered.

Salary Range

$70,000—$115,000 USD

Company Overview:

HawkEye 360 is equipping defense, intelligence, and national security leaders with mission-critical signals intelligence to enable faster, better decision making. By detecting, geolocating, and characterizing radio frequency emissions worldwide, HawkEye 360 delivers trusted domain awareness and early warning indicators to the US Government and allied partners. Our space-based collection, proprietary signal processing, and AI-powered analytics transform knowledge of RF spectrum into a strategic advantage. Proven by operational mission success, HawkEye 360 is redefining how signals intelligence strengthens national and global security.

HawkEye 360 is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.