Spacecraft Test Engineer (San Jose California)

Astro Digital; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Astro Digital designs, builds, and operates a diverse range of small satellite systems for earth observation, communications, in-orbit demonstrations, and more. The Spacecraft Test team will write test plans, automate tests, and analyze data to ensure mission success from subsystem delivery to launch.

You will collaborate with customers, design and system engineers, and project managers, writing procedures, collecting test data, and presenting results.

Qualifications

• 2 years minimum test experience with a complex system.
• B.S. or M.S. in engineering (aerospace, mechanical, electrical, software), math, physics, or related field
• Ability to understand and follow system documentation
• Desire to solve problems collaboratively
• Strong organizational skills
• Interest working with a first-rate, collegial team
• Experience with Linux and test automation
• Experience with hardware test on highly complex and reliable systems.

Responsibilities

• Write system test plans
• Perform and automate tests and test data analysis for spacecraft
• Analyze and present feedback on both the process and results to larger teams
• Ensure test plans and procedures meet system requirements and evolving mission characteristics
• Troubleshoot anomalous test results, identify, and help track defects
• Apply diligence to promote production efficiency, mission objectives, and above all, hardware, and personnel safety
• Continually seek out ways to improve

Skills

Test engineering

Automation

Linux

Team collaboration

Education

B.S./M.S. in engineering

Tools

Multimeters

Oscilloscopes

Spectrum Analyzers

Power Meters

Job description

Astro Digital designs, builds, and operates a diverse range of small satellite systems supporting space-based turnkey missions for several business applications, including earth observation, communications, in-orbit demonstrations, risk reduction, science, and exploration. Astro Digital is headquartered in Littleton, Colorado with roughly 75 employees and infrastructure around the globe.

Position Summary

With the Spacecraft Test team, you will join a hard-working and enthusiastic group, applying your experience to assure mission success. Your primary role will be to support testing and technical operations of satellite missions. This involves working with customers, design and system engineers, and project managers to determine what tests and technical operations will be done and writing that into a procedure. This includes from subsystem delivery to launch. You will be responsible for collecting, or designing the necessary support equipment, automating the procedures, and performing those tests. Additionally, you will write and document any changes or issues that occurred when running those tests. You will perform data analysis on the test data and present that information. You will continually look for ways to improve the processes. The ideal candidate will possess experience automating tests. Team members are driven and supportive. We foster frequent, open communication, and rely on collaboration and concurrence for problem solving. Fastidiousness, creativity, love of teamwork, and patience are essential qualities of a person in this role.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Write system test plans
• Perform and automate tests and test data analysis for spacecraft
• Analyze and present feedback on both the process and results to larger teams
• Ensure test plans and procedures meet system requirements and evolving mission characteristics
• Troubleshoot anomalous test results, identify, and help track defects
• Apply diligence to promote production efficiency, mission objectives, and above all, hardware, and personnel safety
• Continually seek out ways to improve

Minimum Qualifications

• 2 years minimum test experience with a complex system.
• B.S. or M.S. in engineering (aerospace, mechanical, electrical, software), math, physics, or related field
• Ability to understand and follow system documentation
• Desire to solve problems collaboratively
• Strong organizational skills
• Interest working with a first-rate, collegial team
• Experience with Linux and test automation
• Experience with hardware test on highly complex and reliable systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with mission assurance
• Experience with spacecraft manufacturing
• Experience in automotive industry or mass production
• Experience in electrical or software design
• Proficiency with lab electrical diagnostic and measurement tools (multimeters, oscilloscopes, sources, spectrum analyzers)
• Knowledge of various communication protocols
• Understanding of power systems
• Experience with RF Systems
• Experience automating with spectrum analyzers, power meters or modems.

Physical Demands

This position requires the ability to lift and move objects weighing up to 50 Lbs. Frequent standing, walking, bending, and reaching may be required.

Export Statement

This position requires access to export-controlled commodities, technical data, technology, software, and services. U.S. citizenship, U.S. legal permanent resident status, or protected person status under 22 CFR §120.15 and 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3) is required.