RF Test Engineer III (Clearance Required) Verified today

About the Role

As an RF Test Engineer III at Sierra Space, you will leverage your growing experience in test engineering principles to support and contribute to the testing and validation of complex, integrated aerospace systems, including spacecraft, satellites, and other large-scale systems with electrical, mechanical, and software components. You will work under the guidance of senior engineers to develop and execute test approaches for RF and space communications systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the design and execution of RF and space communications tests, including RF antennas, antenna hats, modems, vector network analyzers (VNA), spectrum analyzers, cable analyzers (VSWR), and communications cabling.
• Implement and execute test scripts and code (e.g., Python, LabVIEW, 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, and 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 spanning functionality, performance, and regression testing.
• Support execution of tests on integrated systems for thermal vacuum (TVAC), vibration, shock, acoustic, EMI/EMC, and other space environments.
• 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 the 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 ensure effective collaboration.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field (or equivalent work experience, or Master's degree plus 3 years experience).
• Typically 5 or more years of related experience.
• The ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret U.S. Security Clearance is required. U.S. Citizenship status is required.
• General expertise in one area of test engineering principles and practices (dynamics, thermal, measurement, HSI, SW Test, Integration, etc.).
• Ability to effectively work in multi-disciplinary 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Skilled in test design and execution of integrated products or systems, including spacecraft, aircraft, ships, or other similar large and complex systems incorporating electrical, mechanical, and software components.
• Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Mechatronics, or similar degree, or equivalent experience.
• Experience with programming and using TILE! EMI/EMC testing application.
• Experience implementing and executing test scripts and code (e.g., Python, LabVIEW, MATLAB) for control, telemetry, data acquisition, and analysis.
• Experience supporting or executing RF and space communications tests, including RF antennas, antenna hats, modems, vector network analyzers (VNA), spectrum analyzers, cable analyzers (VSWR), and communications cabling.
• Working knowledge of Electrical Ground Support Equipment (EGSE) including power supplies, controls, instruments, sensors, networking and communications equipment, data acquisition equipment, and associated software, including National Instruments and LabVIEW products.
• Ability to interpret electrical and network schematics and signal channelization databases to support test execution.
• Experience with software testing including functionality, performance, and regression testing.
• Experience supporting or executing tests on integrated systems for thermal vacuum (TVAC), vibration, shock, acoustic, EMI/EMC, and other space environments.
• Familiarity with a variety of instrumentation and sensors to measure electrical, mechanical, optical, and other characteristics.
• Ability to prepare test procedures and test reports, and support development of test plans, to demonstrate compliance to system requirements.
• General familiarity with Product and Quality Assurance principles, including supporting generation and disposition of product non-conformances.
• Exposure to or support of certification testing for various certification organizations (FAA, NASA, DoD) preferred.
• Background in the Aerospace and Defense Industry preferred.

Compensation

Pay Range: $112,694.00 - $154,975.25

Your actual base compensation will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, experience, internal equity and market competitiveness.

Benefits

Sierra Space offers a generous benefit package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with 150% match up to 6%, life insurance, and 3 weeks paid time off.