AI&T Test Engineer – STE/EGSE

Viasat, Inc.•Tempe, AZ

About The Position

Viasat's Space Infrastructure Team designs, builds, and operates satellites that deliver global connectivity in demanding environments. As part of the Integration and Test team, your work will contribute directly to payload performance, schedule, and on-orbit mission success. This role is for an Assembly, Integration, and Test (AIT) Engineer focused on Payload Special Test Equipment (STE) and Electrical Ground Support Equipment (EGSE). You will be responsible for designing, developing, integrating, and supporting test systems used to verify advanced space-based communications units and payloads throughout development, qualification, and flight integration activities. You will work closely with systems, payload, RF, digital, software, and manufacturing teams to translate verification requirements into practical and scalable test solutions.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field
Typically 4-8 years of experience developing, integrating, or supporting STE, EGSE, or automated test systems
Experience working with electronic, communications, aerospace, defense, or satellite hardware
Understanding of hardware integration and verification methodologies
Experience using laboratory instrumentation and automated test equipment
Experience with software scripting or automation development
Strong troubleshooting, communication, and collaboration skills
U.S. citizenship required

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting spacecraft, payload, communications, or RF systems
Experience developing EGSE or payload checkout systems
Familiarity with telemetry, command and control, and data acquisition architectures
Experience with Python, LabVIEW, MATLAB, C#, or similar development environments
Familiarity with RF test equipment including: Vector Network Analyzers, Spectrum Analyzers, Signal Generators, Power Meters
Experience performing environmental or qualification testing
Experience integrating custom hardware with commercial instrumentation
Knowledge of configuration management and verification processes
Experience working in fast-paced integration and test environments

Responsibilities

Design and develop STE and EGSE solutions used for payload integration and verification
Translate payload and subsystem requirements into test architectures, test procedures, and automation solutions
Support checkout and verification activities across unit, subsystem, and payload levels
Develop and maintain automated test capabilities that improve test efficiency and repeatability
Collaborate with multi-functional teams to troubleshoot hardware and test system issues
Contribute to test readiness, integration planning, and verification execution
Own development of STE and EGSE architectures for RF, digital, telemetry, timing, and power interfaces
Derive test equipment requirements from payload verification needs
Participate in test planning and verification strategy development
Review design documentation and provide feedback on testability and integration considerations
Design and integrate test hardware, harnessing, interface electronics, instrumentation, and support equipment
Develop automated test procedures and software tools
Integrate commercial test equipment with custom hardware and software solutions
Support unit, subsystem, and payload integration activities
Complete functional, performance, and environmental testing of payload hardware
Support test readiness reviews and test campaigns
Analyze test data and document test results
Maintain test configurations, procedures, and supporting documentation
Develop automation scripts and software tools using Python, LabVIEW, C#, or similar languages
Improve test efficiency through automation and process enhancements
Support configuration management and lifecycle maintenance of STE and EGSE assets
Troubleshoot hardware, software, instrumentation, and integration issues
Support root-cause investigations and corrective actions
Work with design engineering teams to resolve test and integration anomalies