Description
Spacecraft Test Engineer
Location: Seal Beach
Department: Structures
Location Type: IN_OFFICE
Employment Type: FULL_TIME
About the Company
At AstroForge, our mission is to make space resources accessible on Earth. We mine asteroids to extract valuable minerals in space at a lower cost and smaller carbon footprint than current terrestrial mining methods. Along the way, we seek to leverage the technologies we build to provide additional value across other domains. We offer a unique opportunity to join an exciting team looking to expand humanity’s capabilities in space.
Job Description
As a Spacecraft Test Engineer, you will be the final gatekeeper for our flight hardware. You will own the transition from "it should work" to "it will work" in the harshest environments imaginable. This is a multidisciplinary role requiring a "systems" mindset—you’ll be as comfortable writing Python scripts for automated data acquisition as you are designing a custom mechanical fixture for a vibration table.
You will lead the charge in defining how we test our spacecraft, from initial component-level characterization to full-up Integrated System Tests (IST) and environmental campaigns (TVAC, Vibe, EMI/EMC).
Responsibilities
- Test Strategy & Execution: Develop, document, and execute comprehensive test plans for spacecraft components, subsystems, and the fully integrated vehicle.
- Hardware Design: Design and build Electrical Ground Support Equipment (EGSE) and Mechanical Ground Support Equipment (MGSE) to facilitate seamless testing.
- Automation: Develop software and scripts (primarily Python) to automate test sequences, monitor telemetry, and process post-test data.
- Environmental Campaigns: Lead spacecraft through environmental stress screening, including Thermal Vacuum (TVAC), vibration, and shock testing.
- Anomaly Resolution: Root-cause failures during testing, working closely with the design team to implement hardware or software fixes.
- Documentation: Maintain rigorous test logs and generate flight readiness reports that prove our systems can survive deep space.
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline (e.g., Aerospace, Mechanical, Chemical Engineering, or related field).
- 3+ years of experience in spacecraft or high-complexity aerospace testing (e.g., launch vehicles, satellites, or high-performance robotics).
- Strong fundamentals in electrical engineering (circuits, harnesses, data acquisition) and mechanical engineering (structural analysis, thermal dynamics).
- Strong experience with Python or C++ for test automation and equipment interfacing.
- Experience with lab equipment (oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, power supplies) and environmental test facilities.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-stakes startup environment where you may need to pivot quickly based on test results.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to present technical information clearly and concisely.
- Ability to work onsite in Seal Beach, CA.
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Experience with deep space missions or asteroid-bound hardware.
- Familiarity with FPGA or microcontroller-level debugging.
- Past experience designing custom PCBs for EGSE.
Benefits
- 100% paid medical, dental, and life insurance coverage
- Vision and FSA benefits available
- 3 weeks of PTO + 1 week of sick time
- 10 paid holidays
- Retirement savings plan – 401(k), with company match
- Equity on the ground floor of a startup
Salary
Level II: $94,250 - $103,500
Level III: $104,250 - $118,500
Level IV: $114,250 - $139,500
ITAR Requirements
To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), you must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Government.
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