Environmental Test Engineer

About the role

At E-Space, we are pioneering a new era of connectivity by making it universally accessible, secure, and actionable. To fulfill this mission, we are building a next-generation Low Earth Orbit (LEO) space system designed to revolutionize the economics and delivery of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions. We are seeking a highly specialized Deployable Structures Test Engineer to own the ground-based verification of our large deployable antenna structures. This role is critical for ensuring that our hardware can survive the rigors of launch and perform flawlessly in the vacuum of space. You will be responsible for designing and executing gravity-offload deployment test campaigns, characterizing deployment kinematics and force profiles, and establishing a robust ground-to-flight correlation to verify repeatability against strict aperture geometry requirements. This is a hands-on position at the intersection of mechanisms, structural testing, and test facility engineering, requiring deep thought into how we simulate zero-gravity deployment conditions on the ground.

What you'll do

You will own the qualification and acceptance testing of E-Space's deployable antenna structures to verify performance against mission requirements. Your primary responsibility will be to design and execute comprehensive environmental test campaigns that validate the survivability and operational readiness of space hardware. A core focus will be correlating test results with flight data to ensure that deployment mechanisms function reliably in orbit. You will translate complex spacecraft requirements into repeatable laboratory test procedures, working closely with mechanical, systems, and test engineering teams to troubleshoot anomalies and drive corrective actions. This role demands deep analytical thinking to anticipate failure modes and validate mitigation strategies before launch. You will meticulously document all test activities, results, and conclusions in detailed reports for internal and customer review, directly impacting E-Space's confidence in its hardware to perform in the harsh environment of space.

• Plan and coordinate environmental test campaigns for deployable antenna structures across mechanical, thermal, and vacuum domains.
• Execute qualification and acceptance testing in strict compliance with program-level requirements and industry standards.
• Operate test chambers, data acquisition systems, and instrumentation to monitor structural and mechanical performance during testing.
• Analyze test data to identify trends, anomalies, and potential causes of performance deviations or failures.
• Develop and maintain test procedures, checklists, and safety protocols to ensure consistent execution and traceability.
• Collaborate with design and manufacturing teams to resolve issues revealed during environmental testing.
• Support the development of test fixtures and adapters that accurately simulate the launch and on-orbit environments.
• Generate test summary reports that communicate results to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Assist in the development of test methodologies that correlate ground test results with on-orbit performance.
• Contribute to the creation of test documentation required for regulatory compliance and customer audits.
• Support test scheduling and resource planning to meet project milestones and launch commitments.
• Perform hands-on setup and teardown of test articles while following strict procedural guidance and safety guidelines.
• Advocate for test article integrity by monitoring boundary conditions and ensuring that test levels remain within defined limits.

Requirements

To succeed in this role, you must possess a solid foundation in engineering principles and aerospace testing practices. A Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field, or equivalent experience is required. You must bring a minimum of 5 years of direct experience in environmental testing for aerospace, space, or defense applications. Proficiency in operating environmental test equipment such as vacuum chambers, thermal vacuums, vibration tables, and acoustic chambers is mandatory. You must have a firm grasp of test engineering fundamentals, including measurement systems, data acquisition, and uncertainty analysis. The ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, schematics, and test specifications is essential. You should have a proven track record of developing and executing test procedures based on requirements documents and industry standards. Success in this position requires strong attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate records in a regulated environment. Additionally, you must be able to pass a background check and meet the requirements for US government access eligibility.

Nice to have

Experience with deployable structures such as booms, hinges, or antennas commonly used in space systems is highly valuable. Familiarity with space industry standards and best practices for qualification testing will accelerate your contribution. Experience with test automation and data analysis tools such as Python, MATLAB, or LabVIEW is preferred. An understanding of structural analysis tools such as finite element analysis and how test results correlate with simulation will enable you to provide deeper insights.

Practical notes

This position is based on-site in California or Texas. Hands-on test facility presence is required, and some travel between sites is expected.