Principal Development Test Engineer Seen this week

The Role

As Principal Development Test Engineer, you will own the success of testing mechanical structures, materials, and electromechanical subsystems critical to satellite operation. You will anticipate company needs and build infrastructure to support current and future business.

In your first 6 months, you will define large-scale development test campaigns, design and build test setups, and work hands-on with flight hardware. In your first year, you will validate designs through prototype testing and lead large multidisciplinary test campaigns. You will drive company-wide best practices and make a significant impact by leading test campaigns and mentoring the growing team.

Responsibilities

• Design and fabricate test hardware, test stands, and test systems, and execute development tests for structures, components, and materials to support internal and external customer needs
• Lead satellite subsystem test campaigns from kickoff through test report and beyond
• Drive hands-on hardware development testing, analysis, data reduction, and continuous improvement of testing methods and best practices
• Develop data acquisition, control, and instrumentation systems at the integrated level and establish internal tools and company-wide best practices
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to establish product requirements, testing methods, project schedules, and mentor early-career engineers

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, or other relevant engineering discipline
• 8+ years of industry experience with mechanical, structural, and/or electromechanical test, design, and analysis
• Experience designing, building, and testing mechanical assemblies and test fixtures for aerospace or terrestrial applications (satellite mechanical systems, payloads, launch vehicles, propulsion systems, aircraft structures and mechanisms)
• Experience with CAD or FEA software packages
• Hands-on fabrication experience

Nice to Have

• Experience with data acquisition, controls, and dedicated test equipment (motor dynos, material testers, vibration tables, environmental data loggers, motorsports DAQ)
• Experience with the practical application of GD&T
• Experience with NX (Unigraphics) and Teamcenter PLM
• Experience with structural analysis tools (Simcenter 3D, Femap, Hypermesh)
• Basic practical programming abilities (Python, MATLAB, Simulink, C++, R, LabVIEW)
• Demonstrated ability to own mechanical hardware or systems within an integrated engineering team
• Understanding of structural analysis and failure modes of complex mechanical systems in space environments
• Independent and self-motivated mindset with strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills

Compensation and Benefits

• Base salary range: $175,000 - $200,000 plus equity
• Salary based on knowledge, skills, education, and experience level
• Comprehensive benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, and paid parental leave

Export Compliance

This role requires access to information and items controlled by U.S. export control regulations (ITAR). The person hired must be a U.S. person as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15 (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or certain protected individuals) or be otherwise eligible for a federally issued export control license.