Senior Integration & Test Engineer
About The Position
Trident Systems Space Electronic Systems (SES) is seeking an Integration & Test Engineer to support development, integration, debugging, and verification of space payload systems. The role works across software, firmware, and electronics to troubleshoot complex system issues and ensure payload readiness for laboratory, environmental, and flight test activities. The ideal candidate is comfortable at the hardware/software boundary and can isolate problems, perform root-cause analysis, and support system bring-up for advanced payloads operating in space environments. The SES division applies engineering principles and collaborative development processes, including design and peer reviews, to develop high-performance space-based electronic systems for DoD, Intelligence Community, and civil space customers. The position is based in Sterling, Virginia, reports to the Integration & Test Manager, and does not supervise others. Travel or off-site work may be required 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, interface control documents (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 thermal vacuum (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, hardware-in-the-loop (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 across application software, embedded software, FPGA/firmware interfaces, electronics, sensors, and communication links.
- Support bring-up of payload electronics, processors, FPGAs, data interfaces, and support equipment.
- Investigate integration and test failures using laboratory equipment, logs, telemetry, and software/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 including SPI, I2C, UART, RS-422/485, Ethernet, SpaceWire, CAN, and mission-specific buses.
- Work 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 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
- Voluntary life insurance with AD&D, accident, critical illness, hospital, and pet coverage
- Spending accounts (HSA, FSA, and DCFSA)
- Paid time off
- Holidays
- 401(k) with company match
- Tuition reimbursement
- Parental, maternity, and military leaves
- Annual discretionary bonus for eligible roles
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
