Avionics Test Engineer
Summary
Develops and runs tests for flight electrical hardware (circuit boards, devices, vehicles) and builds/maintains test systems, collaborating with engineers across avionics, propulsion, and software to ensure hardware validation from development to launch, including pre-launch site support.
Leveling will be commensurate with experience.
- Develop end-to-end test systems that validate flight electrical hardware including circuit boards, optical devices, and electromechanical assemblies
- Own the setup, operation, and troubleshooting of electrical test equipment and ground support hardware
- Develop automated testing solutions to collect, analyze, and document test data
- Build and maintain test systems, racks, and setups for component level and integrated testbeds
- Provide feedback to design engineers to improve Impulse’s overall avionics ecosystem.
- Collaborate with avionics, propulsion, GNC, software, and integration engineers to verify complete test coverage of existing and new test systems.
- Support launch site activities by traveling with the spacecraft and conducting pre-launch tests.
- Bachelor’s degree in any relevant engineering field
- 2+ years of demonstrated experience testing electrical systems
- Proficiency in circuit board design using Altium Designer
- Experience designing and owning test systems from concept to implementation
- Experience executing tests to support product development and prototyping
- Comfortable working with design engineers to anticipate and derive test requirements for under-defined systems
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to lead meetings, plan projects, and communicate decisions / rationale
- 5+ years of demonstrated experience working on a vehicle project of any kind (spacecraft, rocket, car, boat, plane, drone, etc.)
- Experience designing test stands and/or hardware racks
- Experience designing tests for a production environment
- Experience working with NI hardware (cRIO, cDAQ etc.)
- Experience safely operating hazardous systems (high voltage, high pressure, etc.)
- Experience with vibe tables, thermal chambers, or other aerospace test equipment
- Familiarity with spacecraft systems and test campaigns
- Demonstrated success in root cause and/or failure analysis
Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities and internal equity. In addition to base salary, for full-time hires, you may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of stock options, and access to medical, vision & dental coverage as well as access to a 401(k) retirement plan.
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.
