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• Duration: 3+ years
• Pay rate: $60-$80/hr
• Benefits include medical insurance, 401(k), 10 days of Paid Time off, and 11 paid holidays
• Job Location: Lexington, MA (hybrid, at least 3 days on-site)
• Schedule:  M-F, standard business hours
• Job#: bh18873

Test Engineer

The Software and Electronics Engineering team collaborates across multiple research domains to design and deliver systems that operate in real-world and highly dynamic environments. The team develops complex software and electronic systems from concept through deployment, supporting a wide range of advanced prototypes.

Current efforts include capabilities such as precision pointing and stabilization for space-based communication systems, real-time sensing platforms, airborne navigation systems, flight controls, and on-orbit tracking technologies. The team brings deep expertise in space-qualified electronics, precision controls, firmware, embedded systems, and application-level software.

Role Overview

We are seeking a Test Engineer to own test infrastructure and ground support systems for satellite payload software and hardware.

This role requires someone comfortable working in a fast-paced, innovative engineering environment with evolving requirements. The ideal candidate will take ownership of ground support solutions, enabling scalable test coverage and supporting increasingly complex system integrations. Strong cross-domain debugging skills (software, hardware, and communications) are critical.

This individual will also help define and document best practices for test processes, including automated regression testing. Strong organizational, estimation, and communication skills are essential to meet program timelines and collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Configure, manage, and deploy satellite emulation software for payload testing
• Define and execute test plans and procedures
• Design, support, and maintain testbeds and lab environments
• Develop scripts for test automation and execution
• Control and interface with lab instrumentation and equipment
• Support CI/CD pipelines and automated testing frameworks
• Document test processes, systems, and best practices
• Enable “test-as-you-fly” environments from early prototype through full system integration

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field
• 3+ years of experience in QA, software development, or instrumentation
• Strong Python skills (including object-oriented programming and device instrumentation; PyQt a plus)
• Ability to read and work within modern C++ codebases and object-oriented designs
• Familiarity with ground control systems (e.g., OpenC3 COSMOS or similar)
• Experience with test instrumentation and basic network troubleshooting
• Background in hardware/software integration and data collection
• Ability to develop test cases from functional requirements and interface documentation
• Experience with version control tools (e.g., Git)
• Understanding of mission control systems and ground station concepts
• Knowledge of test automation and integration testing practices
• Strong collaboration and communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Linux (RedHat or similar) administration
• Familiarity with Docker or containerization tools
• Scripting experience (e.g., Bash)
• Experience working with mission-critical hardware systems
• Familiarity with ticketing systems (e.g., Jira)
• Experience with CI/CD tools (e.g., GitHub Actions, GitLab, Bitbucket)
• Experience with MATLAB for data processing, instrumentation, or GUI development
• Understanding of flight operations, telemetry, and satellite payload concepts of operations

Additional Details

• Hybrid schedule: onsite at least 3 days per week, with potential for increased onsite presence during key phases
• Ability to obtain a security clearance required; active clearance preferred
• Interview process includes an initial technical screen followed by a panel interview (virtual or onsite depending on location)