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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Assembly, Integration and Test Engineer I - **Company:** Vantage Systems - **Location:** Albuquerque, NM, United States - **Experience:** Starter - **Salary:** $72,056.0 - $90,164.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Systems Engineering, Data Reduction, Interoperability, Verification and Validation (Software), Systems Integration, Test Scripts - **Published:** July 17, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=84a99ff573e9a72f ## About the Role * Education/ Years of Relevant Experience: 0+ years of experience with BS degree * Clearance: TS with ability to obtain SCI. * U.S. Citizenship is required for this position. ## Description The Assembly, Integration, and Test (AI&T) Engineer is responsible for developing, executing, and documenting test procedures for space technology systems ranging from CubeSats to ESPA-class spacecraft to ensure performance, functionality, and reliability in support of Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) space missions. This role involves integrating spacecraft hardware and software components, conducting space-qualified environmental testing, troubleshooting technical issues, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to refine mission designs. The AI&T engineer will support the full testing lifecycle for spaceflight experiments, including: * Spacecraft assembly and integration: Hands-on assembly, integration, and testing of spacecraft buses, payloads, and experiments within government clean room facilities at Kirtland AFB * Space environmental testing: Conduct and support functional and environmental testing including thermal vacuum, vibration, acoustic, EMI/EMC, and other space-qualification tests * Launch integration: Support flight experiment integration at launch sites, including mechanical installation, functional testing, inspection, and day-of-launch processes * Test facility management: Support government integration facility operations, including laboratory safety, clean room protocols, ESD procedures, and compliance with aerospace safety standards This position requires hands-on experience with space hardware, understanding of spaceflight environmental requirements, and the ability to work in Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIFs) supporting cradle-to-grave space mission lifecycles from concept through launch and operations., System Assembly and Integration: * Perform hands-on assembly and integration of spacecraft buses, payloads, and experiments within government facilities * Support integration of CubeSat through ESPA-class spacecraft and high-altitude balloon systems * Integrate flight hardware and software components, ensuring proper interfaces and functionality * Support spacecraft mechanical installation, harnessing, thermal blanketing, and system closeouts * Coordinate with spacecraft subsystem engineers (power, communications, attitude control, propulsion, structures) * Maintain clean room protocols, ESD procedures, and contamination control standards * Support government integration facility management including equipment maintenance and calibration Space Environmental Testing: * Develop and execute test plans for space-qualified environmental testing: + Thermal vacuum testing (hot/cold operational and survival temperatures) + Vibration and shock testing (simulating launch environments) + Acoustic testing (launch vehicle acoustic environments) + EMI/EMC testing (electromagnetic compatibility for space systems) + Functional testing (end-to-end spacecraft operations verification) * Conduct systems-level tests to evaluate performance of spacecraft, balloon, and ground systems/subsystems * Operate and maintain test equipment including thermal chambers, shake tables, and RF test equipment * Perform data reduction, analysis, and review of functional and environmental test results * Develop documented data acquisition, processing, analysis, and modeling/simulation tools for test evaluations Test Planning & Documentation: * Develop comprehensive test plans, test procedures, and test cases for spacecraft verification and validation * Draft and review test specifications and user's guides * Prepare Safety Plans and Risk Management Plans for test activities * Document experimental processes and results to allow independent reproduction of tests * Participate in programmatic, technical, and safety reviews * Conduct reliability, operability, interoperability, and performance assessments * Maintain test reports, compliance artifacts, and lessons learned documentation Launch Integration Support: * Support flight experiment launch integration activities at launch sites * Support telemetry archiving, analysis, and post-launch documentation * Pack, protect, and ship flight experiments and support equipment to launch facilities * Support hardware and software integration in preparation for launch, including: + Mechanical installation and interface verification + Functional testing and health checks + Thermal blanketing and final closeouts + Inspection and fairing integration + Range safety procedures + Day-of-launch processes and anomaly resolution Integration Facility Management: * Maintain and upgrade government integration capabilities and equipment * Identify and recommend mitigation for hazardous situations in workspaces, test facilities, integration areas, and pre-launch facilities * Support government integration facility management, including: + Personnel training on laboratory equipment and safety procedures + Facility security and access control compliance + Safety compliance and hazard identification Maintain and upgrade government integration capabilities and equipment Root Cause Analysis & Re-engineering: * Analyze test results, troubleshoot issues, and support root cause analysis for test failures * Support re-engineering and re-design of software and hardware after testing * Implement corrective actions and retest to verify fixes * Document failure modes, lessons learned, and design improvements Collaboration and Cross-Functional Support: * Work closely with systems engineers, software engineers, hardware engineers, and operations personnel * Support direct analytical, technician, and systems engineering tasks of the RVE Assembly, Integration, and Testing Infrastructure Lead(s) * Provide technical support for design reviews, customer demonstrations, and field testing ## Related Videos - [A Hitchhiker's Guide to Resource Efficient Software](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1414-a-hitchhiker-s-guide-to-resource-efficient-software) - [From Bedside Beeps to Interoperable Bytes – Getting your medical devices ready to talk the IEEE 11073 language](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/771-from-bedside-beeps-to-interoperable-bytes-getting-your-medical-devices-ready-to-talk-the-ieee-11073-language) - [Are Classical Automation Frameworks Dead? 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