Job description:

The Assembly, Integration, and Test (AI&T) Engineer is responsible for developing, executing, and documenting test procedures for space technology systems ranging from CubeSats to ESPA-class spacecraft to ensure performance, functionality, and reliability in support of Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) space missions. This role involves integrating spacecraft hardware and software components, conducting space-qualified environmental testing, troubleshooting technical issues, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to refine mission designs.

The AI&T engineer will support the full testing lifecycle for spaceflight experiments, including:

• Spacecraft assembly and integration: Hands-on assembly, integration, and testing of spacecraft buses, payloads, and experiments within government clean room facilities at Kirtland AFB
• Space environmental testing: Conduct and support functional and environmental testing including thermal vacuum, vibration, acoustic, EMI/EMC, and other space-qualification tests
• Launch integration: Support flight experiment integration at launch sites, including mechanical installation, functional testing, inspection, and day-of-launch processes
• Test facility management: Support government integration facility operations, including laboratory safety, clean room protocols, ESD procedures, and compliance with aerospace safety standards

This position requires hands-on experience with space hardware, understanding of spaceflight environmental requirements, and the ability to work in Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIFs) supporting cradle-to-grave space mission lifecycles from concept through launch and operations.

Key Responsibilities:

System Assembly and Integration:

• Perform hands-on assembly and integration of spacecraft buses, payloads, and experiments within government facilities
• Support integration of CubeSat through ESPA-class spacecraft and high-altitude balloon systems
• Integrate flight hardware and software components, ensuring proper interfaces and functionality
• Support spacecraft mechanical installation, harnessing, thermal blanketing, and system closeouts
• Coordinate with spacecraft subsystem engineers (power, communications, attitude control, propulsion, structures)
• Maintain clean room protocols, ESD procedures, and contamination control standards
• Support government integration facility management including equipment maintenance and calibration

Space Environmental Testing:

• Develop and execute test plans for space-qualified environmental testing:
  • Thermal vacuum testing (hot/cold operational and survival temperatures)
  • Vibration and shock testing (simulating launch environments)
  • Acoustic testing (launch vehicle acoustic environments)
  • EMI/EMC testing (electromagnetic compatibility for space systems)
  • Functional testing (end-to-end spacecraft operations verification)
• Conduct systems-level tests to evaluate performance of spacecraft, balloon, and ground systems/subsystems
• Operate and maintain test equipment including thermal chambers, shake tables, and RF test equipment
• Perform data reduction, analysis, and review of functional and environmental test results
• Develop documented data acquisition, processing, analysis, and modeling/simulation tools for test evaluations

Test Planning & Documentation:

• Develop comprehensive test plans, test procedures, and test cases for spacecraft verification and validation
• Draft and review test specifications and user's guides
• Prepare Safety Plans and Risk Management Plans for test activities
• Document experimental processes and results to allow independent reproduction of tests
• Participate in programmatic, technical, and safety reviews
• Conduct reliability, operability, interoperability, and performance assessments
• Maintain test reports, compliance artifacts, and lessons learned documentation

Launch Integration Support:

• Support flight experiment launch integration activities at launch sites
• Support telemetry archiving, analysis, and post-launch documentation
• Pack, protect, and ship flight experiments and support equipment to launch facilities
• Support hardware and software integration in preparation for launch, including:
  • Mechanical installation and interface verification
  • Functional testing and health checks
  • Thermal blanketing and final closeouts
  • Inspection and fairing integration
  • Range safety procedures
  • Day-of-launch processes and anomaly resolution

Integration Facility Management:

• Maintain and upgrade government integration capabilities and equipment
• Identify and recommend mitigation for hazardous situations in workspaces, test facilities, integration areas, and pre-launch facilities
• Support government integration facility management, including:
  • Personnel training on laboratory equipment and safety procedures
  • Facility security and access control compliance
  • Safety compliance and hazard identification Maintain and upgrade government integration capabilities and equipment

Root Cause Analysis & Re-engineering:

• Analyze test results, troubleshoot issues, and support root cause analysis for test failures
• Support re-engineering and re-design of software and hardware after testing
• Implement corrective actions and retest to verify fixes
• Document failure modes, lessons learned, and design improvements

Collaboration and Cross-Functional Support:

• Work closely with systems engineers, software engineers, hardware engineers, and operations personnel
• Support direct analytical, technician, and systems engineering tasks of the RVE Assembly, Integration, and Testing Infrastructure Lead(s)
• Provide technical support for design reviews, customer demonstrations, and field testing

This is a junior level position.

Minimum Qualifications:

Compensation:

Our team offers competitive benefits, including health, vision, and dental insurance, and robust professional development and education opportunities.

Location:

Onsite at Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, NM