We are looking for highly qualified
candidates for a contract positioned onsite at the Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, NM supporting the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) SSHINE contract.
The Assembly, Integration, and Test (AI&T) Engineer is responsible for developing, executing, and documenting test procedures for space technology systems ranging from CubeSats to ESPA-class spacecraft to ensure performance, functionality, and reliability in support of Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) space missions. This role involves integrating spacecraft hardware and software components, conducting space-qualified environmental testing, troubleshooting technical issues, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to refine mission designs.
The AI&T engineer will support the full testing lifecycle for spaceflight experiments, including:
- Spacecraft assembly and integration: Hands-on assembly, integration, and testing of spacecraft buses, payloads, and experiments within government clean room facilities at Kirtland AFB
- Space environmental testing: Conduct and support functional and environmental testing including thermal vacuum, vibration, acoustic, EMI/EMC, and other space-qualification tests
- Launch integration: Support flight experiment integration at launch sites, including mechanical installation, functional testing, inspection, and day-of-launch processes
- Test facility management: Support government integration facility operations, including laboratory safety, clean room protocols, ESD procedures, and compliance with aerospace safety standards
This position requires hands-on experience with space hardware, understanding of spaceflight environmental requirements, and the ability to work in Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIFs) supporting cradle-to-grave space mission lifecycles from concept through launch and operations.
Key Responsibilities:System Assembly and Integration:- Perform hands-on assembly and integration of spacecraft buses, payloads, and experiments within government facilities
- Support integration of CubeSat through ESPA-class spacecraft and high-altitude balloon systems
- Integrate flight hardware and software components, ensuring proper interfaces and functionality
- Support spacecraft mechanical installation, harnessing, thermal blanketing, and system closeouts
- Coordinate with spacecraft subsystem engineers (power, communications, attitude control, propulsion, structures)
- Maintain clean room protocols, ESD procedures, and contamination control standards
- Support government integration facility management including equipment maintenance and calibration
Space Environmental Testing:- Develop and execute test plans for space-qualified environmental testing:
- Thermal vacuum testing (hot/cold operational and survival temperatures)
- Vibration and shock testing (simulating launch environments)
- Acoustic testing (launch vehicle acoustic environments)
- EMI/EMC testing (electromagnetic compatibility for space systems)
- Functional testing (end-to-end spacecraft operations verification)
- Conduct systems-level tests to evaluate performance of spacecraft, balloon, and ground systems/subsystems
- Operate and maintain test equipment including thermal chambers, shake tables, and RF test equipment
- Perform data reduction, analysis, and review of functional and environmental test results
- Develop documented data acquisition, processing, analysis, and modeling/simulation tools for test evaluations
Test Planning & Documentation:- Develop comprehensive test plans, test procedures, and test cases for spacecraft verification and validation
- Draft and review test specifications and user's guides
- Prepare Safety Plans and Risk Management Plans for test activities
- Document experimental processes and results to allow independent reproduction of tests
- Participate in programmatic, technical, and safety reviews
- Conduct reliability, operability, interoperability, and performance assessments
- Maintain test reports, compliance artifacts, and lessons learned documentation
Launch Integration Support:- Support flight experiment launch integration activities at launch sites
- Support telemetry archiving, analysis, and post-launch documentation
- Pack, protect, and ship flight experiments and support equipment to launch facilities
- Support hardware and software integration in preparation for launch, including:
- Mechanical installation and interface verification
- Functional testing and health checks
- Thermal blanketing and final closeouts
- Inspection and fairing integration
- Range safety procedures
- Day-of-launch processes and anomaly resolution
Integration Facility Management:- Maintain and upgrade government integration capabilities and equipment
- Identify and recommend mitigation for hazardous situations in workspaces, test facilities, integration areas, and pre-launch facilities
- Support government integration facility management, including:
- Personnel training on laboratory equipment and safety procedures
- Facility security and access control compliance
- Safety compliance and hazard identification Maintain and upgrade government integration capabilities and equipment
Root Cause Analysis & Re-engineering:- Analyze test results, troubleshoot issues, and support root cause analysis for test failures
- Support re-engineering and re-design of software and hardware after testing
- Implement corrective actions and retest to verify fixes
- Document failure modes, lessons learned, and design improvements
Collaboration and Cross-Functional Support:- Work closely with systems engineers, software engineers, hardware engineers, and operations personnel
- Support direct analytical, technician, and systems engineering tasks of the RVE Assembly, Integration, and Testing Infrastructure Lead(s)
- Provide technical support for design reviews, customer demonstrations, and field testing
This is a journeyman level position.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Education/ Years of Relevant Experience: 10+ years of experience with BS degree or 5+ years of experience with MS degree or 0+ years of experience with PhD degree
- Clearance: TS with ability to obtain SCI.
- U.S. Citizenship is required for this position.
