Senior Integration & Test Engineer

TRIDENT SYSTEMS • Sterling, VA

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About The Position

Trident Systems Space Electronic Systems (SES) is seeking a hands-on Integration & Test Engineer to support development, integration, debugging, and verification of space payload systems. The engineer will work across software, firmware, and electronics to troubleshoot complex system issues and ensure payload readiness for laboratory, environmental, and flight-test activities. The role requires working at the hardware/software boundary, isolating problems, performing root-cause analysis, and supporting system bring-up for advanced payloads operating in space environments.

The SES division applies rigorous engineering principles and continuous improvement to develop high-performance space-based electronic systems for DoD, Intelligence Community, and civil space customers. This position reports to the Integration & Test Manager and does not supervise others. It is located in Sterling, Virginia, with travel or off-site work as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent years of experience/combined education.
• Six or more years of related experience.
• Experience integrating and testing embedded systems, avionics, or aerospace hardware.
• Ability to debug across software, firmware, and electronics.
• Experience reading and interpreting schematics, ICDs, test procedures, requirements, and design documentation.
• Experience with embedded debugging tools, logs, telemetry, and laboratory instrumentation.
• Familiarity with C/C++, Python, or similar scripting languages for test automation and troubleshooting.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with space payloads, spacecraft avionics, or mission-critical embedded systems.
• Experience debugging FPGA-based systems and firmware-controlled electronics.
• Familiarity with Linux-based embedded systems, RTOS, or board bring-up.
• Experience supporting TVAC, vibration, or EMI/EMC test campaigns.
• Knowledge of space-qualified components, radiation-tolerant electronics, or flight hardware processes.
• Experience with requirements verification, anomaly reporting, and formal test documentation.
• Familiarity with CI/CD, automated test frameworks, HIL testing, or laboratory automation.

Responsibilities

• Integrate and test space payload hardware and software in development, qualification, and flight-like configurations.
• Debug and troubleshoot issues involving application software, embedded software, FPGA and firmware interfaces, electronics, sensors, and communication links.
• Support bring-up of payload electronics, processors, FPGAs, data interfaces, and support equipment.
• Investigate failures during integration and test using laboratory equipment, logs, telemetry, and software or firmware diagnostics.
• Use oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, power supplies, DMMs, protocol analyzers, and signal generators to diagnose hardware and interface issues.
• Support checkout and debugging of interfaces such as SPI, I2C, UART, RS-422/485, Ethernet, SpaceWire, CAN, and other mission-specific buses.
• Collaborate with software, firmware, electrical, systems, and mechanical engineers to resolve integration issues and improve design robustness.
• Document test results, anomalies, troubleshooting steps, and corrective actions for formal verification and flight-readiness reviews.
• Assist with system-level and environmental testing, including functional test, thermal vacuum, vibration, EMI/EMC, and mission simulations.
• Contribute to development of testbeds, laboratory infrastructure, automated test tools, and debugging processes.
• Support configuration management and ensure testing uses the correct hardware, firmware, and software baselines.
• Support travel or off-site work as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Health benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Basic life insurance with AD&D.
• Short-term disability and long-term disability.
• Ancillary voluntary benefits, including life insurance with AD&D, accident, critical illness, hospital, and pet coverage.
• Spending accounts, including HSA, FSA, and DCFSA.
• Paid time off.
• Holidays.
• 401(k), including company match.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Parental, maternity, and military leaves.
• Annual discretionary bonus for eligible roles.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior