Deployable Structures Test Engineer

E-Space

$140K — $210K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • BS or MS or Ph.D. in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent.
  • Experience with deployment or mechanism testing of flight hardware such as solar arrays or antennas.
  • Hands-on experience with gravity-offload test setups for large flexible structures.
  • Experience with force/torque measurement and deployment kinematics instrumentation.
  • Practical understanding of test-to-flight fidelity gaps for deployable structures in 1g.

Responsibilities

  • Own the deployment test plan from requirements definition to execution and post-test analysis.
  • Design or oversee the design of gravity-offload and support fixtures for large deployable structures.
  • Execute deployment tests, capturing force/torque profiles and element trajectories.
  • Establish ground-to-flight correlation methodology to predict flight deployment.
  • Verify repeatability of deployment tests and analyze factors affecting outcomes.
  • Coordinate with the deployment mechanism team on force outputs and structural dynamics.
  • Integrate deployment test data into structural models and participate in correlation reviews.

Benefits

  • On-site work at either California or Texas location.
  • Certain travel between sites expected.
  • Opportunity to influence advanced satellite design and deployment processes.
  • Engagement with cutting-edge technologies in the aerospace sector.
Full Job Description
We are looking for a Deployable Structures Test Engineer to own the ground deployment test program for E-Space's large deployable antenna structure. This person will design and execute gravity-offload deployment test campaigns, characterize deployment kinematics and force profiles, establish ground-to-flight correlation, and verify deployment repeatability against aperture geometry requirements. This is a specialized role at the intersection of mechanisms, structural testing, and test facility engineering - for someone who has thought carefully about what it actually means to simulate zero-gravity deployment on the ground. On-site in California or Texas. Hands-on test facility presence is required. Some travel between sites expected. What you will do: • Own the deployment test plan for the antenna assembly - from test requirements definition through gravity-offload rig design, test execution, and post-test correlation. • Design or oversee design of gravity-offload and support fixtures appropriate for large flexible deployable structures, including friction budget analysis and rig compliance characterization. • Execute deployment tests, capturing deployment force/torque profiles, deployable element tip trajectories, deployment timelines, and deployment-state shape measurements (photogrammetry or equivalent). • Establish ground-to-flight correlation methodology: characterize offload rig artifacts, derive correction factors, and bound residual uncertainty in flight deployment prediction. • Verify deployment repeatability run-to-run and characterize sensitivity to deployment sequencing, temperature, and lubricant state. • Coordinate with the deployment mechanism team to characterize actuator force output and locked-state stiffness/backlash for use as structural dynamics boundary conditions. • Coordinate with structural subsystem teams to characterize subsystem performance and define an integrated testing campaign. • Feed deployment test data into the integrated structural model; participate in model-test correlation reviews with the IAS structures analyst. Required qualifications: • BS or MS or Ph.D. in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent. • Experience with deployment or mechanism testing of flight hardware - solar arrays, antennas, booms, or equivalent deployable structures. • Hands-on experience with gravity-offload test setups for large flexible hardware. • Experience with force/torque measurement, deployment kinematics instrumentation, and photogrammetry or optical shape measurement. • Practical understanding of test-to-flight fidelity gaps for deployable structures in 1g. Preferred qualifications: • Experience with composite boom deployment mechanisms or wrap-rib/coilable boom hardware. • Familiarity with friction and lubrication behavior in space mechanisms across temperature ranges. • Experience contributing to model-test correlation for deployment dynamics simulations. • Knowledge of TVAC deployment testing and the additional instrumentation challenges it introduces. $140,000 - $210,000 a year This is a full time, exempt position, based out of our Saratoga, CA or Arlington, TX office. The total compensation packaged will be determined by various factors such as your relevant job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. We are redefining how satellites are designed, manufactured and used-so we're looking for candidates with passion, deep knowledge and direct experience on LEO satellite component development, design and in-orbit activities. If that's your experience - then we'll be immediately wow-ed. E-Space is not currently able to provide employment sponsorship for candidates who do not hold work authorization for the location of this role.

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