Avionics – Stage Integration and Test Engineer

Description

The avionics system is the backbone of highly reusable, operable, and reliable space systems. As the Avionics - Stage Integration and Test Engineer at an early-stage start-up, you will be responsible for integrating all avionics flight hardware on the launch vehicle.  This will require a diverse understanding of mechanical, electrical, and software interfaces necessary to integrate and operate the launch vehicle.  You will work closely with the avionics, fluids, structures, software, and manufacturing teams to define integration, electrical checkout, and operations sequences that will culminate in the first launch of the NOVA rocket. You will seek out state-of-the-art solutions to difficult problems and you will assist in the definition of company standards for avionics integration and test. You must be ready to stay focused, move fast, self-direct, and learn on the fly.

Responsibilities

• Develop a complete understanding of mechanical, electrical, and software interfaces necessary to integrate and operate the launch vehicle
• Own NOVA stage integrated avionics system all the way from development, manufacturing, through test, and all the way into launch operations
• Develop system and harness schematics, equipment lists, integration and test plans for the complete stage and engine avionics system
• Coordinate with component owners, software and other engineering disciplines to identify and correct integration issues early in the design cycle
• Support component test engineers for hardware acceptance testing and drive for common hardware and test methodologies
• Facilitate/utilize hardware-in-the-loop test solutions to validate vehicle designs and develop continuous integration test objectives
• Plan and execute system integration and vehicle checkout tests
• Troubleshoot electrical hardware issues on vehicle, and coordinate with component owners to drive corrective actions and design changes
• Develop day of flight procedures and sequences for battery charging, avionics health checking, and vehicle launch and recovery
• Support integrated stage and hot fire testing at our Moses Lake, WA Test site and onsite at Cape Canaveral
• Operate the vehicle Avionics system through launch and recovery day of flight

Qualifications

• B.S. degree in electrical engineering or equivalent on the job experience
• 2+ Years experience designing, building, or testing circuit boards or other electronics (research and extracurricular academic projects qualify)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experienced in integration, test, and operations of complex multidisciplinary systems such as launch vehicles, satellites, aircraft or automotive
• Avionics/GNC hardware in the loop simulation experience
• Experience developing assembly work plans/instructions for mechanical integration of avionics components and harnessing
• Environmental test experience
• Experience with Python, Rust, LabVIEW, LabJack, UEI, National Instruments hardware, etc.
• Familiarity with lab equipment for development testing of circuits and components
• Experience writing automated test sequences
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Rigorous attention to detail

Benefits

• Equity – We are pleased to offer equity in the form of stock options to all regular, full-time employees. 
• Comprehensive benefits program including subsidized medical, dental, and vision insurance 
• Company-paid life and disability insurance 
• 401(k) plan with employer match 
• 4 weeks’ Paid Time Off  
• Holidays – 10 days (including an end-of-year closure) 
• Paid Family/Parental Leave  
• On-site gym or monthly wellness stipend (depending on location) 
• Dog friendly offices! 

Compensation

Target Levels:

• Level 2 Range: $104,500 - $141,400
• Level 3 Range: $123,000 - $184,400

Our job posts are intentionally written to attract a wide variety of experience levels, and we make decisions about the right fit on a per-candidate basis. 

Your actual level and base salary will be decided based on your specific experience and skill level.