Development Test Specialist

Department: Engineering

Location: Torrance, CA

Compensation: $95K – $115K • Offers Equity

Employment Type: FullTime

About Northwood:

Northwood is a modern space infrastructure company focused on connecting space and Earth. The world runs on space. Space will run on Northwood. Our global ground network ensures that missions ranging from national security, to global connectivity, to disaster response can unlock their full potential and operate every day without fail.

Northwood is seeking a Development Test Specialist to build and operate the hands-on test infrastructure that enables rapid hardware iteration from prototype through integration and qualification. In this role, you’ll assemble and troubleshoot test racks and setups, perform benchtop and integrated testing, and support environmental and system-level test campaigns with high-quality documentation and traceability. You’ll work closely with test engineers and hardware teams to debug anomalies, execute rework, fabricate harnessing and RF assemblies, and maintain a well-run lab environment. This is a highly hands-on role for someone who thrives in fast-paced development environments and enjoys turning scrappy prototypes into repeatable test setups that accelerate learning and reliability.

Responsibilities:

• Build, wire, and troubleshoot test racks, fixtures, and mechanical/electrical test setups

• Perform benchtop and integrated testing independently or with engineers, following procedures and requirements

• Execute SMT + through-hole solder rework and fabricate harnesses/coax assemblies

• Support integration and environmental test (repeatable configs, calibration/traceability, documentation)

• Summarize and share test data and preliminary results, and support anomaly investigations to resolution

• Maintain lab readiness (calibrated instrumentation, equipment health, tooling, consumables, organization)

• Drive 5S and process improvements to improve throughput and reliability

• Help develop safe work practices for high voltage / high power RF systems

• Partner with test engineers to improve rack maintainability, documentation, and throughput

Basic Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate

• 6+ years of experience as an electronics technician, test technician, or specialist supporting complex hardware

• Knowledge of Ohm's Law, DC power supplies, and multimeters

• Ability in soldering/rework for SMT and through-hole components, including fine-pitch work

• Knowledge/experience operating basic machine shop equipment, including: sanders, grinders, saws, and hand tools

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Associate or bachelor's degree with a focus in physics, mathematics, or engineering

• Ability to read and understand electrical schematics and mechanical drawings

• Familiarity with the Linux command line

• Ability to fabricate and repair electrical systems, including: soldering, crimping, and assembling connectors/harnesses

• Ability to fabricate mechanical components and assemblies, including: milling, drilling, tapping and torquing

• Knowledge/experience with RF test - including spectrum analyzer and network analyzer measurements - and dB units
  

Additional Information:

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.

Northwood is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Northwood is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.