Hardware Test Engineer

Hardware Test Engineer (Mid to Principal)

We are looking for a Hardware Test Engineer to design, build, and automate test systems that verify and validate our flight hardware. This role spans the full test lifecycle — from early development benchtop setups through qualification campaigns and production — and sits at the intersection of electrical, mechanical, RF, and software engineering.

You will own test infrastructure end-to-end: defining requirements, designing ground support and test equipment (EGSE/MGSE), writing and executing test procedures, and driving automation to scale with our hardware cadence.

This is a hands-on role. You will be in the lab regularly, and your work will directly determine what goes to flight.

Responsibilities

Test System Design & Development

• Architect, design, and build test racks, bench-top platforms, and automated test equipment to support hardware development, qualification, and production
• Design and produce test assets including electrical panels, harnessing, fixtures, PCBAs, and ground support equipment
• Select COTS instrumentation and/or design custom hardware to apply flight-like loads, measure signals, and power units under test
• Create and maintain electrical schematics, harnessing diagrams, and integration documentation
• Lead test architecture decisions, drive standards, and own technical roadmap for test infrastructure

Test Execution & Verification

• Write, review, and execute test procedures and verification plans across development, qualification, and acceptance test campaigns
• Support environmental testing including thermal/vacuum (TVAC), vibration, and HALT/HASS
• Troubleshoot hardware anomalies, lead root cause investigations, and develop corrective action plans

Automation & Software

• Develop Python-based test scripts to automate data collection, instrument control (SCPI/VISA), and test reporting
• Integrate test systems with telemetry pipelines and production documentation tools
• Design intuitive operator interfaces that make complex test equipment accessible and auditable

Qualifications

• B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related STEM field
• 3+ years of experience in hardware test, systems integration, or test automation (mid); 8+ years (principal)
• Hands‑on experience with lab instrumentation: oscilloscopes, DMMs, spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, power supplies, signal generators, electronic loads
• Proficiency with Python for test automation and instrument control
• Experience designing or integrating electrical test systems, racks, or ground support equipment
• Strong understanding of electrical fundamentals, signal integrity, and measurement uncertainty

Nice to Have

• Experience with RF test and characterization (VNAs, VSAs, signal chains, antenna range testing)
• Familiarity with space hardware test standards (GEVS, SMC‑S‑016, MIL‑STD‑1540, DO‑160)
• Experience with mixed‑signal test system (Power + High‑speed digital + RF) test infrastructure.
• Experience with Medium Voltage systems, high energy storage systems, and low‑voltage/high‑current interfaces.
• Experience with PLC programming (TwinCAT, Allen‑Bradley, or similar)
• Knowledge of digital/analog interfaces: CAN bus, SPI, I2C, RS‑422, UART, TCP/IP
• Experience with LabVIEW, MATLAB, or custom DAQ solutions
• Familiarity with requirements management tools (Jama, DOORS) and documentation platforms (Jira, Confluence)
• Experience supporting transition from development test to production‑scale acceptance testing
• Background in TVAC, vibration, or other environmental qualification campaigns

Salary

$140k - $200k