Spacecraft Test Development Engineer

Darwin Recruitment; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Darwin Recruitment in Seattle seeks a Senior Satellite Test Development Engineer to lead production-ready test campaigns across spacecraft systems, translating verification requirements into robust, repeatable procedures and automation.

You will design end-to-end test strategies and Ground Support Equipment (GSE), collaborating with Systems Engineering, AI&T, and subsystem teams to ensure consistent qualification, acceptance testing, and smooth handover to manufacturing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 12+ years of experience in spacecraft integration and test.
• Experience leading multiple spacecraft or launch vehicle test campaigns.
• Hands-on background in spacecraft system testing, automation, and execution.
• Experience automating spacecraft testing with scripts or software.
• Ability to work across multidisciplinary teams across engineering domains.
• Knowledge of AI&T principles, NASA/DoD verification standards, and build verification strategies.

Responsibilities

• Lead transition of test campaigns from engineering development to production-ready execution.
• Develop qualification and acceptance test strategies for subsystems and spacecraft.
• Plan and lead cross-functional engineering teams for test development.
• Create scalable, repeatable production test plans.
• Develop test procedures, automation frameworks, scripts, and documentation.
• Collaborate with engineering, production and programme teams for end-to-end validation.
• Define requirements for Ground Support Equipment (GSE) and oversee its design and validation.
• Establish best practices for test safety, automation, and error-proofing.
• Identify efficiency improvements and reduce test variability.
• Apply lessons learned to improve production readiness.
• Support additional engineering initiatives as needed.

Skills

Automation scripting

Test development

GSE design

Python

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Python

DOORS

Jama

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Satellite Test Development Engineer to lead the transition of spacecraft testing from engineering-led development activities into robust, repeatable, highly automated production test systems.

This is a critical role supporting the scale-up of satellite manufacturing, ensuring every spacecraft undergoes consistent, efficient, and reliable qualification and acceptance testing prior to shipment and launch. You will develop end-to-end test strategies, procedures, automation, and Ground Support Equipment (GSE), enabling seamless handover to Production Assembly, Integration & Test (AI&T) teams for routine execution.

Working closely with Systems Engineering, Production AI&T, Program Management, and spacecraft subsystem teams-including Electrical Power Systems (EPS), Attitude Determination & Control Systems (ADCS), Communications, Command & Data Handling (C&DH), and Flight Software-you will transform verification requirements into practical, production-ready test campaigns that minimise variability, reduce human error, and maximise confidence in every vehicle delivered.

This position is based on-site in Seattle.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the transition of spacecraft test campaigns from engineering development into production-ready execution.
• Develop subsystem and spacecraft-level qualification and acceptance test strategies across all spacecraft systems.
• Plan, coordinate, and lead cross-functional engineering teams supporting test development activities.
• Convert verification requirements into scalable, repeatable, and efficient production test plans.
• Develop comprehensive test procedures, automation frameworks, scripts, and documentation that enable consistent, low-variance execution.
• Collaborate with engineering, production, and programme teams to deliver complete end-to-end spacecraft validation.
• Define requirements for Ground Support Equipment (GSE) and oversee its design, development, and validation.
• Establish best practices for test safety, robustness, automation, and error-proofing.
• Define standards for test readiness, including procedure validation, dry runs, checkouts, and automation maturity.
• Coordinate engineering inputs to ensure test readiness while maintaining programme schedules.
• Continuously identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce risk, and eliminate test variability.
• Apply lessons learned from previous spacecraft programmes to prevent recurring issues and improve production readiness.
• Support additional engineering initiatives as required.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 12+ years of experience in spacecraft integration and test, hardware development, or comparable complex aerospace testing environments.
• Demonstrated experience leading multiple spacecraft or launch vehicle integration and test campaigns.
• Strong hands-on background in spacecraft system testing, procedure development, automation, and execution.
• Experience developing scripts or software to automate spacecraft testing.
• Proven ability to work across multidisciplinary engineering teams, including electrical, mechanical, systems, and software engineering.
• Strong understanding of spacecraft Assembly, Integration & Test (AI&T) principles, including test-as-you-fly methodologies, NASA and DoD verification standards, and build verification strategies.
• Track record of successfully delivering complex technical programmes within fast-paced, schedule-driven environments.
• Strong engineering judgement, ownership, problem-solving ability, and the confidence to make sound decisions in evolving environments.

Preferred Experience

• Experience supporting high-rate manufacturing or production spacecraft programmes.
• Extensive knowledge of Ground Support Equipment (GSE) design, development, and validation.
• Proficiency in Python for test automation and data processing.
• Experience introducing test campaigns for new spacecraft programmes and maturing them into production-ready processes.
• Familiarity with requirements management and verification tools such as DOORS or Jama.

Why Join?

This is an opportunity to play a pivotal role in advancing next-generation satellite manufacturing. You’ll work alongside experienced spacecraft engineers on cutting-edge missions, helping shape scalable production systems that support rapid deployment of space technology while contributing to the development of innovative spacecraft programmes.