Senior Engineer - Space Vehicle System Test (AI&T)
About the role
We're seeking an action-oriented engineer with intellectual curiosity who is excited to put their potential to use testing space flight hardware. The position is part of a spacecraft/space vehicle test team, where you will work as a test engineer, with a focus on testing of flight hardware. As a Senior Engineer at BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems (SMS), you will work closely with, and be mentored by, experts in the field.
You may have the opportunity to support or lead a significant test activity on a large bus and space vehicle program, support or lead a subsystem on a small to mid-size effort, or take responsibility as a lead during spacecraft acceptance testing.
Responsibilities
- Work in a fast-paced team environment to assist in the integration and testing of spacecraft hardware
- Work in cleanroom and lab environments to verify that the hardware meets requirements and to characterize and calibrate its performance
- Support the program's integration and test approach, and generate AI&T flows from component testing through launch operations
- Identify and support the ground support equipment (GSE) required for assembly, integration, testing, and launch operations
- Identify the required facilities and equipment for AI&T
- Identify, document, and communicate the assumptions, limitations, and risks associated with AI&T
- Establish effective working relationships with a group of external customers and partners
- Leverage and grow a detailed understanding of spacecraft systems, subsystems, space vehicles, and launch operations
- Maintain accurate test logs and generate comprehensive test reports
- Write, review, update, and execute test procedures and test scripts
- Utilize test and measurement equipment to test and troubleshoot spaceflight hardware
- Present to peers, management, and external customers and partners as needed
- Collaborate with system and subsystem engineers, proposal leads, new business personnel, support groups, and other program personnel
- Note: AI&T is also known as systems integration and test (SI&T), assembly, test and launch operations (ATLO), missions systems integration and test (MSIT), and other names throughout the industry
- Maintain a regular and predictable work schedule
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships within the department, the Strategic Business Units, Strategic Capabilities Units and the Company. Interact appropriately with others in order to maintain a positive and productive work environment
- Perform other duties as necessary
Work environment
This position requires regular in-person engagement by working on-site five days each normally scheduled week in the primary work location. Travel and local commute between company campuses and other possible non-company locations may be required.
Work is performed in an office, laboratory, production floor, or cleanroom, outdoors or remote research environment. May occasionally work in production work centers where use of protective equipment and gear is required. May access other facilities in various weather conditions.
Qualifications
- BS/BA in related field plus 4 or more years related experience. Each higher-level degree, i.e., Master's Degree or Ph.D., may substitute for two years of experience. Related technical experience may be considered in lieu of education. Degree must be from a university, college, or school which is accredited by an agency recognized by the US Secretary of Education, US Department of Education
- Experience testing and troubleshooting spacecraft, space vehicles, and their related components and systems
- Experience with spacecraft command and control systems, simulators, software test benches and other electrical ground support equipment
- Excellent communication skills is a must
- A security clearance or access with Polygraph is not required to be eligible for this position. However, the applicant must be willing and eligible for submission, depending on program requirements, after an offer is accepted and must be able to maintain the applicable clearance/access
Preferred skills
- Spacecraft RF Testing Experience: Proven experience in performing end-to-end validation of RF systems for spacecraft, including hands-on testing and validation
- Optical Communication Testing: Hands-on experience with optical communication testing, including setup and execution of tests
- Experience with Space Vehicle Environmental Testing, specifically EMI/EMC and RF. Develops baseline recommendations for trending each spacecraft subsystem and establishes test case pass/fail criteria, working closely with Requirements Engineers (REs) to finalize and refine these standards
- Demonstrates a willingness to experiment with methodologies using non-perfect tools (e.g., simulators), proactively seeks feedback from REs, and drives the process to a conclusive outcome
Pay
Full-Time Salary Range: $97008 - $164914. Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.
Benefits
At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.