HawkEye 360 (HE360) is seeking a Satellite Avionics Technician to join the Space Team in Herndon, Virginia. The mission of the Space Team is to build, test, launch, operate and maintain a constellation of small commercial satellites. As a Satellite Avionics Technician, you will perform hands-on assembly, integration, and testing of flight hardware for our spacecraft constellation. This role requires precision work with sensitive spacecraft electronics, including PCB component installation, soldering, and harness fabrication to higher level satellite integration. We're looking for a candidate who can quickly interpret complex assembly instructions, work delicately with numerous sensitive spacecraft components, and accurately document their work.
Your main responsibilities will be:
- Assemble, integrate, and test spacecraft avionics hardware including circuit boards, harnesses, and subsystem assemblies
- Build and assemble wire harnesses for satellite integration, including wire stripping, crimping, pinning, routing, and continuity testing
- Support general spacecraft AI&T in the cleanroom following assembly procedures
- Install and solder components on PCBs, including surface-mount and through-hole components, following IPC standards and workmanship requirements
- Conduct inspections on incoming assembled boards from contract manufacturers to ensure quality assurance
- Rework and modify flight PCBs and harnesses as needed to support engineering changes and troubleshooting
- Perform qualification testing on circuit boards and assemblies to qualify them for flight
- Layout and assemble electronic ground support equipment (EGSE) for testing flight hardware in our lab
- Interpret engineering schematics, drawings, and assembly procedures to support hardware integration and troubleshooting
Your skills and qualifications:
Essential education and experience:
- Minimum of a high school diploma
- 3+ years of hands-on electronics assembly experience, preferably in aerospace or satellite hardware
- IPC-A-610 training/certification (or equivalent workmanship standards experience)
- Experience working with flight hardware in cleanroom environments, including proper ESD mitigation and contamination control protocols
- Proven experience with PCB assembly and soldering (surface-mount and through-hole components)
- Hands-on experience building electrical harnesses including wire stripping, crimping, pinning, routing, and continuity testing
- Basic hand tool knowledge and familiarization with power tools
- Ability to read and interpret engineering schematics, assembly drawings, and technical procedures
Desirable:
- Experience with aerospace-grade connectors including micro-D, Harwin, D-sub, circular, and RF connectors
- IPC J-STD-001 certification (soldering) or IPC-620 certification (wire harness assembly)
- Experience with aerospace hardware across its life-cycle from prototype through flight builds
- Experience with Epsilon 3 or equivalent for procedure execution
- Familiarity with aerospace quality standards and documentation requirements
- Experience using lab equipment such as multimeters, oscilloscopes, power supplies, and continuity testers
- Familiarity with Microsoft Office software for documentation and reporting
- Experience with Linux operating system and running commands within the terminal application