HITL Engineer

K2 Space

$100K — $140K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in electrical, aerospace, mechanical, computer, or a related engineering discipline.
  • 2+ years of experience in integration, test, or automation engineering roles including hands-on projects.
  • Experience with Hardware-In-the-Loop (HITL) or Flatsat software verification testbeds.
  • Proven skills in designing, building, and maintaining test racks and wiring harnesses.
  • Familiarity with testing and troubleshooting avionics systems and components.
  • Hands-on experience with electrical test equipment such as PSU, Oscilloscope, and DMM.
  • Demonstrated conflict resolution and negotiation abilities.

Responsibilities

  • Design and implement a high-fidelity vehicle testbed in coordination with engineers and documentation.
  • Operate HITL testbed for system validation, verification, and mission support.
  • Integrate and test flight-representative hardware into testbeds.
  • Collaborate on building hardware simulation equipment with design and systems engineers.
  • Maintain and document HITL configuration and test equipment.
  • Create and release harness drawings for ground support equipment.
  • Investigate and resolve testbed issues, driving improvements for future designs.
  • Manage the HITL racks deployed for customer integration and support operator training.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
  • Paid time off and paid parental leave.
  • Life insurance coverage.
  • Equity opportunities in the company.
Full Job Description
The Role

As a Hardware-In-The-Loop (HITL) Testbed Engineer, you'll own designing, implementing, and maintaining critical test assets integrating flight-like hardware and high-fidelity simulation. You will support critical tests validating system design, verifying flight and ground software, and operations related in active missions in space. Your attention to detail and preparation will ensure that the flatsat testbed is ready for tasks that could directly impact mission success. Knowing how to scale these testbeds using automation and flexible configuration will enable teams to have accurate results and parity with flight vehicles with various mission objectives.

Responsibilities
  • Work with responsible engineers and software engineers to design a high-fidelity vehicle testbed ensuring high technical rigor and associated documentation.
  • Operate the HITL testbed in support of system validation, verification, and investigations, including on-orbit operations.
  • Receive, integrate, and test flight representative hardware into HITL testbeds.
  • Collaborate with design and systems engineers to create and build hardware simulation equipment.
  • Own, maintain, and document HITL table configuration and build out, including the supporting GSE racks.
  • Create and release harness drawings for required ground support and test equipment.
  • Investigate and troubleshoot testbed issues and drive further actions to improve future designs.
  • Design, maintain, and operate HITL racks deployed to customers for integration.
  • Support training events for mission operators for constellation management.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in electrical, aerospace, mechanical, computer, or other engineering discipline
  • 2+ years of experience in an integration/test/automation engineering role (includes internships and design/build/compete extracurricular projects)
  • Hands-on experience with HITL or Flatsat software verification testbeds.
  • Experience designing, building, and maintaining test racks and harnessing.
  • Experience testing and troubleshooting integrated avionics systems and their related components.
  • Hands-on experience using electrical test equipment (PSU, Oscilloscope, DMM, etc.) and with ESD sensitive equipment.
  • Excellent conflict resolution and negotiation skills

Nice to Have
  • Proficient in Python and/or Rust
  • Experience with Linux systems
  • Experience managing contractual interfaces (e.g. customer, launch vehicle)
  • Experience with containerized solutions like Docker.
  • Desire to continually raise the bar of "good enough" and innovate novel solutions for scaling HITL.

Compensation and Benefits
  • Base salary range for this role is $100,000 - $140,000 + equity in the company
  • Salary will be based on several factors including, but not limited to: knowledge and skills, education, and experience level
  • Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many other perks


If you don't meet 100% of the preferred skills and experience, we encourage you to still apply! Building a spacecraft unlike any other requires a team unlike any other and non-traditional career twists and turns are encouraged!

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