Spacecraft Test Development Engineer

We are seeking an experienced Satellite Test Development Engineer to lead the transition of spacecraft testing from engineering-led development activities into robust, repeatable, highly automated production test systems.

This is a critical role supporting the scale-up of satellite manufacturing, ensuring every spacecraft undergoes consistent, efficient, and reliable qualification and acceptance testing prior to shipment and launch. You will develop end-to-end test strategies, procedures, automation, and Ground Support Equipment (GSE), enabling seamless handover to Production Assembly, Integration & Test (AI&T) teams for routine execution.

Working closely with Systems Engineering, Production AI&T, Program Management, and spacecraft subsystem teams-including Electrical Power Systems (EPS), Attitude Determination & Control Systems (ADCS), Communications, Command & Data Handling (C&DH), and Flight Software-you will transform verification requirements into practical, production-ready test campaigns that minimise variability, reduce human error, and maximise confidence in every vehicle delivered.

This position is based on-site in Seattle.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the transition of spacecraft test campaigns from engineering development into production-ready execution.
• Develop subsystem and spacecraft-level qualification and acceptance test strategies across all spacecraft systems.
• Plan, coordinate, and lead cross-functional engineering teams supporting test development activities.
• Convert verification requirements into scalable, repeatable, and efficient production test plans.
• Develop comprehensive test procedures, automation frameworks, scripts, and documentation that enable consistent, low-variance execution.
• Collaborate with engineering, production, and programme teams to deliver complete end-to-end spacecraft validation.
• Define requirements for Ground Support Equipment (GSE) and oversee its design, development, and validation.
• Establish best practices for test safety, robustness, automation, and error-proofing.
• Define standards for test readiness, including procedure validation, dry runs, checkouts, and automation maturity.
• Coordinate engineering inputs to ensure test readiness while maintaining programme schedules.
• Continuously identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce risk, and eliminate test variability.
• Apply lessons learned from previous spacecraft programmes to prevent recurring issues and improve production readiness.
• Support additional engineering initiatives as required.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 12+ years of experience in spacecraft integration and test, hardware development, or comparable complex aerospace testing environments.
• Demonstrated experience leading multiple spacecraft or launch vehicle integration and test campaigns.
• Strong hands-on background in spacecraft system testing, procedure development, automation, and execution.
• Experience developing scripts or software to automate spacecraft testing.
• Proven ability to work across multidisciplinary engineering teams, including electrical, mechanical, systems, and software engineering.
• Strong understanding of spacecraft Assembly, Integration & Test (AI&T) principles, including test-as-you-fly methodologies, NASA and DoD verification standards, and build verification strategies.
• Track record of successfully delivering complex technical programmes within fast-paced, schedule-driven environments.
• Strong engineering judgement, ownership, problem-solving ability, and the confidence to make sound decisions in evolving environments.

Preferred Experience

• Experience supporting high-rate manufacturing or production spacecraft programmes.
• Extensive knowledge of Ground Support Equipment (GSE) design, development, and validation.
• Proficiency in Python for test automation and data processing.
• Experience introducing test campaigns for new spacec

  Darwin Recruitment is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.