RF Test Engineer III (Clearance Required)

Sierra Space•Englewood, CO

2d•$112,694 - $154,975

About The Position

As an RF Test Engineer III at Sierra Space, you will use your experience and working knowledge of test engineering principles to support testing and validation of complex, integrated aerospace systems, including spacecraft, satellites, and other large-scale systems with electrical, mechanical, and software components. Under the guidance of senior engineers, you will help develop and execute test approaches for RF and space communications systems while building greater autonomy in your area of expertise. The role supports RF communications, software, environmental, and integrated-system testing; operation of electrical ground support equipment and test instruments; preparation of test documentation; troubleshooting; and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams. The position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret U.S. Security Clearance and U.S. citizenship status for clearance eligibility.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a related field, or equivalent work experience in lieu of a degree; alternatively, a master's degree plus 3 years of experience.
Typically 5 or more years of related experience.
Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret U.S. Security Clearance; U.S. citizenship status is required for the position's clearance needs.
General expertise in an area of test engineering principles and practices, such as dynamics, thermal, measurement, HSI, software test, or integration.
Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary design and development teams.
Experience with requirements management, system design, and systems integration.
Experience planning, conducting, and documenting Verification and Validation (V&V) activities.
Ability to read and interpret schematics, use service manuals, follow test procedures, and use logical troubleshooting techniques.
General expertise with various testing equipment, standards, and methodologies.

Nice To Haves

Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Mechatronics, or a similar degree, or equivalent experience.
Experience designing and executing tests for integrated products or systems such as spacecraft, aircraft, ships, or other large, complex systems incorporating electrical, mechanical, and software components.
Experience programming and using the TILE! EMI/EMC testing application.
Experience implementing and executing test scripts or code such as Python, LabVIEW, or MATLAB for control, telemetry, data acquisition, and analysis of integrated systems.
Experience supporting or executing RF and space communications tests using RF antennas, antenna hats, modems, vector network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, cable analyzers, and communications cabling.
Working knowledge of EGSE, including power supplies, controls, instruments, sensors, networking and communications equipment, data acquisition equipment, associated software and wiring, and National Instruments and LabVIEW products.
Ability to interpret electrical and network schematics and signal channelization databases for test execution.
Experience with functionality, performance, and regression software testing.
Experience supporting or executing integrated-system tests for thermal vacuum, vibration, shock, acoustic, EMI/EMC, and other space environments.
Familiarity with instrumentation and sensors for measuring electrical, mechanical, optical, and other characteristics.
Ability to prepare test procedures and reports and support test-plan development to demonstrate compliance with system requirements.
General familiarity with Product and Quality Assurance principles, including support for generation and disposition of product non-conformances.
Exposure to or support of certification testing for organizations such as FAA, NASA, or DoD.
Background in the Aerospace and Defense industry.

Responsibilities

Support design and execution of RF and space communications tests using equipment such as RF antennas, antenna hats, modems, vector network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, cable analyzers, and communications cabling.
Implement and execute test scripts and code, such as Python, LabVIEW, and MATLAB, for control, telemetry, data acquisition, and analysis of integrated systems.
Work with Electrical Ground Support Equipment (EGSE), including power supplies, controls, instruments, sensors, networking and communications equipment, data acquisition equipment, associated software and wiring, and National Instruments and LabVIEW products.
Interpret electrical and network schematics and signal channelization databases to support test execution.
Contribute to software testing for functionality, performance, and regression.
Support tests on integrated systems for thermal vacuum, vibration, shock, acoustic, EMI/EMC, and other space environments, using instrumentation and sensors to measure electrical, mechanical, optical, and other characteristics.
Prepare test procedures and reports and support development of test plans to demonstrate compliance with system requirements.
Apply familiarity with Product and Quality Assurance principles to support generation and disposition of product non-conformances.
Read and interpret schematics, use service manuals, follow test procedures, and apply logical troubleshooting to resolve testing issues.
Communicate technical concepts clearly to team members, senior engineers, and stakeholders.