Systems Test Engineer (Senior-Staff)

We are seeking an experienced Senior / Staff Systems Test Engineer to join our growing team. In this role, you will lead the integration and verification of advanced space vehicle systems, setting the technical direction that ensures all subsystems perform reliably together in demanding aerospace environments. You will own integration and system-level test strategy, planning, execution, and documentation, collaborating closely with design, hardware, and software teams and mentoring engineers across the test organization. Senior engineers lead test campaigns and teams at the vehicle or major-subsystem level; Staff engineers set test strategy, standards, and infrastructure across multiple vehicles or programs., * Lead the integration, bring-up, and testing of hardware and software subsystems throughout the space vehicle production lifecycle, from first power-on through acceptance and launch-site operations.

• Own and drive system-level validation and qualification campaigns on engineering and qualification hardware, including electrical, mechanical, structural, propulsion, and avionics, and make go/no-go test readiness recommendations.

• Define test strategy and verification approach for hardware development programs, and author test plans and procedures for multidisciplinary systems, including hardware, software, and communication interfaces.

• Architect and drive adoption of test infrastructure, automation frameworks, and data pipelines that scale across vehicles and programs.

• Lead troubleshooting and failure investigations at subsystem and system level, rapidly identifying root causes, chairing failure review boards as needed, and coordinating corrective action across functional teams.

• Define requirements, success criteria, and interface controls for multidisciplinary system integration activities, and influence design for testability early in the development cycle.

• Ensure all test activities, results, and system builds are thoroughly documented and configuration controlled to support traceability and future missions; set documentation and configuration-control standards for the team.

• Lead or present at requirement reviews, design reviews, system readiness checkpoints, and integration readiness reviews, representing test to internal leadership and customers.

• Mentor and develop engineers through technical guidance, procedure and design reviews, and hands-on coaching.

Expectations by Level:

• Senior: Leads integration and test of a vehicle or major subsystem set end to end; independently develops test strategy, plans, and procedures; leads failure investigations and readiness reviews; drives automation and process improvements; and mentors junior engineers.

• Staff: Operates with broad technical authority across multiple vehicles or programs; defines test strategy, standards, and infrastructure roadmaps; resolves ambiguous, high-risk cross-functional problems; shapes design-for-test with engineering leadership; and develops senior engineers.

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.

• Years of experience in system integration and/or test engineering for aerospace applications (spaceflight, satellites, spacecraft, or similar) in line with engineering level.

• Demonstrated record of leading integration and verification of flight hardware through at least one complete cycle (build, qualification/acceptance, and delivery or launch).

• Deep, practical experience with integration and verification of hardware and software subsystems, such as Power, Comms (CAN, UART, RS-422, Ethernet), GNC (GPS/IMUs), RF systems, and/or Propulsion.

• Hands-on experience with system-level test equipment (DMMs, oscilloscopes, DAQs, signal generators, flow meters, leak detection equipment, etc.) and with designing test setups and ground support equipment.

• Strong ability to develop test plans, trace requirements, and architect test scripts and automation (Python, MATLAB, or similar).

• Proven ability to lead troubleshooting and failure investigations across hardware, software, and embedded systems, including root cause and corrective action.

• Thorough understanding of space-relevant avionics qualification and acceptance standards (e.g., NASA-STD-8739.4, ECSS, MIL-STD-1540, MIL-STD-883, NASA GEVS, or similar), with experience applying them to tailor test programs.

• Demonstrated technical leadership, including mentoring engineers and communicating test status and risk to program leadership. Staff: demonstrated influence across multiple teams or programs.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in an engineering discipline.

• Experience with space vehicle or satellite bus integration & test processes, including launch-site operations.

• Knowledge of system safety, fault management, and redundancy in space vehicle architectures.

• Experience building or scaling test infrastructure, processes, and teams in a fast-paced, growing organization.

• Familiarity with configuration management, requirements management, and issue tracking tools.

• Previous work with mission operations or on-orbit test and diagnosis is a plus.

• Be the offset. We create asymmetric advantages with creativity and ingenuity.
• What would it take? We challenge assumptions to deliver ambitious results.
• It’s the people. Our team is our competitive advantage and we are better together.

BENEFITS & PERKS *

• Best-in-class healthcare: 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents, with HSA/HRA options
• Generous time off: Flexible Time Off (FTO) for exempt employees, accrued PTO of up to 25 days for non-exempt employees, plus 12 paid holidays; Parental Leave; Sick Leave
• Fuel for your day: Daily catered lunch and unlimited snacks for in-office employees
• And more: 401(k) retirement plan, fitness reimbursement, and Dog Fridays
• Equity participation: Equity is included as part of our total compensation package, giving you an opportunity to share in the company’s success., * $160,000-$215,000

Equity + Benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, HRA/HSA options, PTO and paid holidays, 401K, Parental Leave

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, location, and experience.