Test Technician II

CesiumAstro, Inc.; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 55,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

CesiumAstro, Inc. is seeking a Test Technician II to join our aerospace electronics lab in Austin, TX. You will work closely with engineers to design and execute test plans for module and payload performance, using state-of-the-art lab instrumentation.

You will assemble test fixtures, troubleshoot RF circuitry from component to system level, and document results with high precision. A Hands-on, collaborative attitude and ability to multitask in a small team are essential.

Qualifications

• Must have hands-on electronics experience and ability to read schematics/drawings.
• Experience assembling and maintaining test setups for electronics/RF.
• Familiarity with lab instruments and documenting test results.

Responsibilities

• Execute test plans and provide concise and timely reporting of findings.
• Organize and maintain antenna testing facilities and resources.
• Create clean, intricate, and well-documented test setups consisting of instrumentation, cabling, and the devices under test.
• Create thorough documentation with meticulous attention to detail and a high standard of quality.
• Assemble & validate custom test fixtures, cable harnesses, etc. for supporting test station development for production and product validation.
• Perform measurement validation on test solutions to validate the performance of the instruments, cabling etc.

Skills

Hands-on engineering

Troubleshooting

Documentation

Education

High School Diploma

AS degree in Electronics

Tools

Spectrum analyzers

Vector signal analyzers

Oscilloscopes

DMMs

RF signal generators

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 Test Technician II to our team. If you are excited about working in a startup environment, have a strong work ethic, and are passionate about cutting-edge electronics, we would like to hear from you.

In this position, you will work closely with CesiumAstro engineers to create module & payload performance test setups, execute test plans, and produce timely, reliable test results. You will have the opportunity to use and maintain state-of-the-art electronics lab instrumentation, such as spectrum analyzers, VNAs, automated power supplies, and more. You will be challenged to propose and fabricate intricate test setups to increase productivity and improve test results.

Many of our products include active phased arrays (a.k.a. active electronically scanned arrays, or AESAs). These are antenna products with active RF circuitry integrated with the antenna. This adds complexity to the test architecture, including power, digital control, and thermal effects. As such, direct experience with phased array (or AESA) testing is preferred.

Core day-to-day activities will include aligning with engineers to test and troubleshoot complex electronics and RF circuitry from component level to system level. As such, the ability to understand and work from drawings, diagrams, schematics, and test procedures is key.

As a small company, the CesiumAstro team wears many hats. Candidates should be comfortable with a varied workflow that may involve multitasking between test setup creation, test execution, lab organization, and other related tasks.

Job Duties And Responsibilities

• Execute test plans and provide concise and timely reporting of findings.
• Organize and maintain antenna testing facilities and resources.
• Create clean, intricate, and well-documented test setups consisting of instrumentation, cabling, and the devices under test.
• Create thorough documentation with meticulous attention to detail and a high standard of quality.
• Assemble & validate custom test fixtures, cable harnesses, etc. for supporting test station development for production and product validation.
• Perform measurement validation on test solutions to validate the performance of the instruments, cabling etc.

Job Requirements And Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma required; Associate of Applied Science (AS) degree in Electronics, Computer Science, Manufacturing, or related preferred.
• 0-3 years of relevant work experience.
• Experience working with active electronics.
• Ability to read and understand schematics as well as mechanical assembly documentation.
• Ability to create documentation in support build and release of test solutions.
• Ability to solder, build and rework Printed Circuit Boards, Cabling and a familiarity with Automated Test Systems.
• Hands-on experience with lab instruments such as spectrum analyzers, RF signal. generators, and vector signal analyzers, DMMs, Oscilloscopes, etc.
• Ability to work with a variety of electronics equipment and a keen eye for troubleshooting issues.
• Strong organization skills.
• Comfortable with collaboration tools such as MS Teams, Confluence, and Jira.
• Must be hands-on and resourceful, possess a strong work ethic, and be attentive to current and future customer requirements, both internal and external. The individual must have the intellect and team skills to work among capable, results-oriented peers.
• Ability to work well under deadlines.
• Strong digital, written, and verbal communication skills

Preferred Experience

• Experience with electronics in aerospace or a related industry.
• Technical proficiency with analog and digital electronic/electrical principles.
• Familiarity with Python and the ability to read and make small changes to simple scripts.
• Experience with test automation such as LabView.

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 to race, 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.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.