RF Test Engineer III (Clearance Required)

Sierra Space•Louisville, CO

About The Position

As an RF Test Engineer III at Sierra Space, you will apply growing 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 incorporating 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 also supports test execution across integrated systems and space environments, preparation of verification documentation, troubleshooting, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.

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 is required for the active clearance needed for employment.
General expertise in one 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

Experience designing and executing tests for integrated products or systems such as spacecraft, aircraft, or ships, or other large and complex systems incorporating electrical, mechanical, and software components, typically under guidance of senior engineers.
Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Mechatronics, or a similar field, or equivalent experience.
Experience with programming and using the TILE! EMI/EMC testing application.
Experience implementing and executing test scripts and code, such as Python, LabVIEW, and 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 (VSWR), and communications cabling.
Working knowledge of EGSE, including power supplies, controls, instruments, sensors, networking and communications equipment, data acquisition equipment, and associated software and wiring, including National Instruments and LabVIEW products.
Ability to interpret electrical and network schematics and signal channelization databases to support test execution.
Experience with software functionality, performance, and regression testing.
Experience supporting or executing integrated-system tests for TVAC, 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 development of test plans demonstrating 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 the FAA, NASA, or DoD.
Background in the Aerospace and Defense industry.

Responsibilities

Support the design and execution of RF and space communications tests using RF antennas, antenna hats, modems, vector network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, cable analyzers (VSWR), 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, including National Instruments and LabVIEW products.
Interpret electrical and network schematics and signal channelization databases to support test execution.
Contribute to software testing efforts covering functionality, performance, and regression testing.
Support tests on integrated systems for thermal vacuum (TVAC), 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 test 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 techniques to resolve testing issues.
Communicate technical concepts clearly to team members, senior engineers, and stakeholders to support collaboration and project outcomes.