System Integration and Test Lead

Ascend Arc; Beaverton (OR); On-site; USD 160,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

AscendArc is seeking an experienced System Integration and Test Lead in Beaverton to bridge vision and hardware, build, test, and fly a satellite system. You will own the FlatSat architecture and AIT campaign, coordinate hardware/software integration, and drive the EGSE strategy and verification execution.

The role includes leadership of technicians and test interns, with involvement in launch-site campaigns and range interfaces, in a fast-paced, ground-breaking startup environment.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of spacecraft I&T experience with an engineering degree.
• Own an AIT/FlatSat campaign including EGSE strategy and verification execution.
• Hands-on hardware/software integration and ground-test interfaces (CAN, 1553, SpaceWire).
• Experience planning and executing spacecraft-level test campaigns and supporting launch-site campaigns.
• Strong organizational and leadership skills; coordinate technicians, EGSE, and test automation.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the integration and verification authority for the program and own the FlatSat architecture and AIT flow.
• Manage the launch-site campaign including shipment, fueling, final integration, and range interface coordination.
• Oversee EGSE strategy, verification execution, and coordination of technicians and test interns.

Skills

Spacecraft I&T

AIT campaign ownership

Hardware/software integration

Spacecraft test campaigns

Leadership & coordination

Education

B.S./M.S. in Aerospace/Electrical/Mechanical Eng

Job description

Overview

Beaverton — Systems in office — Full-time

Join us as an early member of our System Integration and Test team as a System Integration and Test Lead developing a revolutionary satellite communications system. Connect the vision to the hardware, build it, test it and fly it.

AscendArc is a startup focused on revolutionizing the satellite communications industry. We seek energetic, skilled, and creative individuals who thrive in a ground-breaking, fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

As System Integration and Test Lead you are the integration and verification technical authority for the program. You will own the FlatSat architecture and the assembly, integration, and test (AIT) campaign flow, own hardware/software integration and the ground-test interface, and own the EGSE strategy and verification execution. You will perform early bench work before the EGSE engineer joins, and you will coordinate technicians and test interns who support integration. Your work follows a build-once, mature-forward philosophy: the test sequences, EGSE, and procedures you create on the FlatSat become the baseline for AIT on flight hardware. The role extends to the launch site campaign — shipment, fueling, final integration, encapsulation, and the range interface — where you manage the spacecraft side at the range while the mission operations lead mans the control center.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of spacecraft integration and test experience and a B.S. or M.S. in Aerospace, Electrical, or Mechanical Engineering
• Demonstrated ownership of an AIT or FlatSat campaign, including integration flow, EGSE strategy, and verification execution
• Hands-on experience with hardware/software integration and ground-test interfaces (CAN, 1553, SpaceWire, or similar)
• Experience planning and executing spacecraft-level test campaigns and, ideally, supporting a launch-site campaign
• Strong organizational and leadership skills; able to coordinate technicians, EGSE, and test automation into a coherent campaign

Base Salary

The base salary range for this position is $160,000-210,000/year. When determining an individual’s compensation, we consider several factors including skillset, experience, job scope, and current market data, so pay for this role may vary from the amounts listed.

Legal Eligibility to Work

Due to U.S. export control regulations, this position is only open to “U.S. persons.” That means you must be a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or have refugee/asylee status. We cannot consider applicants on temporary work visas (such as H-1B, TN, O-1, etc.) for this role.

Equal Employment Opportunity

AscendArc is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor or legally protected status.