Space Test Engineer

HawkEye 360•Herndon, VA

19h•Onsite

About The Position

HawkEye 360 is seeking a Space Test Engineer to join its Assembly, Integration, & Test (AI&T) Team. The Space Team designs, builds, and tests small commercial satellites that provide RF geospatial analytics. The Space Test Engineer will own the development, improvement, and execution of spacecraft-level test programs, modernizing existing procedures and creating new ones to verify spacecraft rigorously and efficiently. The role requires hands-on spacecraft testing, systems-level awareness, and designing test support equipment for validation of RF payloads and spacecraft subsystems. The position involves working onsite with spacecraft hardware in a fast-paced integration and test environment, following strict ESD and cleanroom protocols, and making technical decisions with limited oversight. HawkEye 360 offers a competitive base salary, annual performance bonus, and benefits. The stated salary range is $70,000–$115,000 USD. Offers consider work experience, education, training, skills, market conditions, and business considerations; candidates at a different experience or qualification level may also be considered.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
1–5 years of professional experience.
Proficiency in Python or another high-level programming language, preferably for automated testing.
Experience with CAD software such as NX, SolidWorks, or similar.
Strong analytical and strategic skills, with excellent written and presentation abilities.
Experience developing or improving aerospace test procedures, verification flows, or test infrastructure.
Experience designing or modifying EGSE/MGSE to support spacecraft integration.
Ability to work onsite and hands-on with spacecraft hardware while following strict ESD and cleanroom protocols.

Nice To Haves

Interest in the smallsat or space industry, particularly RF payloads or communication systems.
Experience handling expensive electronic components and applying ESD and cleanroom best practices.
Experience with printed circuit board (PCB) design using Altium.
Experience writing technical documentation such as test procedures and test plans.
Experience using laboratory equipment such as digital multimeters, spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, signal generators, and thermal chambers.
Strong troubleshooting skills in complex electromechanical or RF systems.

Responsibilities

Independently execute unit-level and spacecraft-level functional tests, analyze results, and update test procedures based on findings.
Modernize existing test procedures to improve clarity, efficiency, and coverage.
Design, plan, and execute environmental tests, including TVAC, vibration, EMI/EMC, and radiation testing.
Design harnessing and electrical and mechanical ground support equipment (EGSE and MGSE) for integration and test work on flatsats and flight hardware.
Collaborate with the software team to execute and implement automated test scripts and frameworks.
Develop and refine design documents, interface control drawings (ICDs), test plans, and test procedures across spacecraft subsystems.
Support launch site integration and test campaigns.
Work with limited oversight in a fast-paced integration and test environment, making informed technical decisions and escalating issues appropriately.