AIT Engineer

Loft Federal•Arvada, CO

11d•$110,000 - $138,000

About The Position

Loft Federal is committed to delivering the U.S. national security space community a fast, affordable, and streamlined pathway to orbit. As a wholly owned U.S. subsidiary of Loft Orbital Solutions, Inc., we specialize in providing mission-ready space infrastructure with unmatched efficiency. At Loft, we empower our team with autonomy, ownership, and bold problem-solving opportunities while fostering a tight-knit, supportive environment. We believe that diversity, inclusivity, and community are the foundation of an open and innovative culture. We value kind, collaborative, and mission-driven teammates who excel in problem-solving and communication—because great solutions come from great teams. Loft Federal provides space infrastructure and operation as a service for whatever size mission a client needs - whether that's a constellation, a single satellite, or even flying multiple customer payloads on the same satellite. As an AIT Engineer, you'll be responsible for ensuring the satellite is built and tested before launch. This is a truly multidisciplinary role where you'll work with almost every department in Loft and no two days will ever feel the same. You may be working with the Mechanical team to determine payload arrangement, Electrical team to design harnesses, Systems team on requirements and verification, PMs on scheduling, Software team on debugging, and the Product team for testing Loft hardware. You'll also work within the AIT team on the design and conduction of functional, performance, and environmental testing of the payloads and completed satellite. Through all of this, you'll need to be good at communication and documentation as well as have a passion for troubleshooting/debugging. This is a unique role and we're looking for a unique person to fill it! In this role, you’ll play a hands-on part in taking satellites from the test bench to the launch pad. You’ll work alongside the Loft team to build, integrate, test, and verify internally developed products, helping ensure each flight product is ready for successful delivery and mission operations. Your work will include electrical and mechanical integration of payloads onto satellites, as well as environmental testing at both the box and system levels—including vibration, thermal vacuum (TVAC), and electromagnetic interference (EMI) testing. You’ll also have the opportunity to author and execute detailed test procedures, troubleshoot issues as they arise, and work collaboratively across the team to make sure our hardware performs as intended before it flies.

Requirements

US Citizenship required
Active DoD Secret clearance with ability to obtain Top Secret clearance.
5+ years (3+ with graduate degree) in a testing role or related, preferably in aerospace
Experience with writing, performing, and documenting tests
Experience with environmental testing (Vibration, TVAC, EMI, Radiation)
Experience organizing test campaigns from initial idea to completion
Familiar with aerospace testing standards such as GEVS, etc.
Experience using software to test (python preferred)
Experience designing or building harnesses for flight or test
Experience setting up GSE for testing

Nice To Haves

Active Top Secret clearance with experience in (last 2 years) or active Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) strongly desired.
Current in-scope DoD SECRET background investigation with at least 3 years of eligibility remaining, or Continuous Evaluation (CE) status, with willingness and ability to obtain a Top Secret clearance
DoD or Intelligence Community Top Secret background investigation with at least 3 years of eligibility remaining or CE status; and SCI eligibility with current experience in SCI programs, other control systems, and/or Special Access Programs
AIT or Test lead on previous projects
Experience juggling multiple test campaign priorities simultaneously
Significant software experience creating and debugging tests in python
Board and box level electrical testing and debugging
HW integration experience, preferably satellite or aerospace
Experience writing procedures for a variety of levels eg: internal development vs. production acceptance testing
Experience using Jira/Confluence for organization and communication
Experience using GIT and Docker

Responsibilities

Ensuring the satellite is built and tested before launch.
Working with the Mechanical team to determine payload arrangement.
Working with the Electrical team to design harnesses.
Working with the Systems team on requirements and verification.
Working with PMs on scheduling.
Working with the Software team on debugging.
Working with the Product team for testing Loft hardware.
Designing and conducting functional, performance, and environmental testing of the payloads and completed satellite.
Playing a hands-on part in taking satellites from the test bench to the launch pad.
Building, integrating, testing, and verifying internally developed products.
Performing electrical and mechanical integration of payloads onto satellites.
Conducting environmental testing at both the box and system levels, including vibration, thermal vacuum (TVAC), and electromagnetic interference (EMI) testing.
Authoring and executing detailed test procedures.
Troubleshooting issues as they arise.
Working collaboratively across the team to make sure hardware performs as intended before it flies.

Benefits

100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance option for employees and dependents
Flexible Spending (FSA) and Health Savings (HSA) Accounts offered with an employer contribution to the HSA
100% employer paid Life, AD&D, Short-Term, and Long-Term Disability insurance
Flexible Time Off policy for vacation and sick leave, and 12 paid holidays
401(k) plan and equity options
Daily catered lunches and snacks in office
Fully paid parental leave; 14 weeks for birthing parent and 10 weeks for non-birthing parent
Carrot Fertility provides comprehensive, inclusive fertility healthcare and family-forming benefits with financial support
Off-sites and many social events and celebrations
Relocation assistance when applicable