Spacecraft Environmental Test Technician

About the role

Apex is seeking an Environmental Test Technician to support qualification and acceptance testing of spacecraft flight hardware. This role involves validating spacecraft performance in simulated launch and space environments through collaboration with Test, Mechanical, Electrical, and Integration Engineers.

Responsibilities

• Assemble, instrument, and test spacecraft flight hardware throughout development, qualification, and production test campaigns.
• Set up, operate, monitor, and maintain environmental test equipment including thermal vacuum chambers, thermal chambers, vibration systems, shock equipment, and supporting infrastructure.
• Install, troubleshoot, and maintain instrumentation including thermocouples, accelerometers, strain gauges, pressure transducers, and associated harnessing.
• Support spacecraft integration, activation, and functional testing before, during, and after environmental test campaigns.
• Maintain accurate documentation of test configurations, procedures, results, discrepancies, and hardware status.
• Ensure compliance with quality standards, contamination control requirements, and safety protocols throughout all testing activities.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that increase test throughput, reliability, and operational efficiency.

Requirements

• U.S. Person status is required due to access to export-controlled data.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 3+ years of hands-on experience working with aerospace, mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, automotive, or test systems.
• Experience operating, maintaining, or supporting environmental test equipment, laboratory equipment, or production test systems.
• Experience using electronic test equipment such as multimeters, oscilloscopes, power supplies, or data acquisition systems.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, work instructions, procedures, and technical documentation.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and hands-on troubleshooting skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to quality workmanship.
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary engineering and production team.

Preferred Experience

• Supporting spacecraft, satellite, launch vehicle, aviation, defense, or other high-reliability hardware programs.
• Familiarity with thermal vacuum (TVAC), thermal cycling, vibration, shock, acoustic, HALT, or HASS testing.
• Experience installing and troubleshooting instrumentation including thermocouples, accelerometers, strain gauges, and pressure transducers.
• Experience fabricating and repairing cable harnesses, including crimping, soldering, and connector assembly.
• Familiarity with IPC-620, J-STD-001, NASA-STD-8739, or equivalent aerospace workmanship standards.
• Experience working in cleanroom environments and following contamination control requirements.
• Experience operating cranes, lifts, rigging equipment, or supporting large hardware moves.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and manufacturing execution systems (MES), ERP systems, or related production software.
• Experience working in a fast-paced development or production environment with aggressive schedules.