Electrical Test Engineer II – SDR Development

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

As an Electrical Test Engineer II in our California team, you will report to the Chief of Telecom Engineering.
You will be responsible for leading the electrical test needs for the UST-Lite software-defined radio (SDR). This role involves developing verification activities for requirements verification, developing and assembling test equipment racks, designing custom test equipment, and developing/maintaining test software.
You will take ownership of the full test campaign activities including planning and execution of tests while working closely with other systems engineers, hardware, FPGA, and software engineers.

Specific duties include (but are not limited to):

• Take full ownership of Integration and Test (I&T) of the SDR;
• Perform radio performance and characterization tests including RF/microwave measurements, BER testing, acquisition/tracking thresholds, spectral mask compliance, avionics interface testing, etc.;
• Develop verification activities and plans based on requirements and specifications to ensure compliance and traceability;
• Identify commercial test equipment and/or design custom solutions for testing SDRs;
• Build and assemble Electrical Ground Support Equipment (EGSE) racks;
• Develop EGSE test software including automation routines using Python;
• Design hardware emulators of various spacecraft bus elements to test critical interfaces (e.g. avionics, power, telecom, etc.);
• Collaborate with radio FPGA and software engineers to identify test solutions to support development;
• Perform radio-level integration and execute planned tests on schedule;
• Generate schedules for EGSE and I&T activities for various proposals and on-going programs;
• Work closely with quality assurance to ensure compliance to quality and safety standards;
• Develop processes for flight hardware I&T;
• Develop and maintain EGSE documentation and user manuals;
• Produce test certification reports, anomaly reports, non-conformance reports, etc. for flight hardware deliveries;
• Perform hands-on board debugging and support troubleshooting during integration;
• Lead Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs) and support other peer design reviews;

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or related fields;
• Minimum 3 years of direct experience in testing space flight hardware;
• U.S. Citizenship or U.S. Permanent Residency is required;
• Excellent written and oral communication in English;

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE & SKILLS

• Team player and a “Do what it takes” attitude;
• Experience with environmental and qualification testing (TVAC, vibration, EMI/EMC, etc.)
• Experience with hardware acceptance testing of flight hardware units;
• Strong familiarity with various equipment vendors such as Keysight, Rhode & Schwarz, and Tektronix;
• Strong understanding of RF measurement techniques using Spectrum/Signal analyzers, network analyzers, phase noise analyzers, etc.;
• Familiarity with spectral mask requirements and frequency assignments for spaceborne transmitters;
• Experience developing and assembling test equipment racks;
• Experience writing test software to control/monitor equipment;
• Strong familiarity with GNU Radio;
• Familiarity with Linux environments, shell scripting, etc.;
• Experience using Git/GitLab for configuration management;
• Proficiency in Python or related programming languages for EGSE interfacing;
• Familiarity with digital signal interfaces at physical level and at protocol levels such as LVDS, UART, SPI, SpaceWire, CAN, 1553B, TCP/IP, etc.
• Understanding of ESD control standards;
• Understanding of flight hardware build processes (work instructions, travelers, as‑built lists, etc.);
• Ability to work autonomously, taking full ownership of tasks and priorities while ensuring alignment with team objectives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment;
• Analytical mind, as well as a continuous learning attitude;
• Excellent attitude towards teamwork and cooperation;
• Comfortable working in a fast‑iteration hardware/software development environment.

PREFERRED SKILLS

• Background in Space or Defense industries will be considered as a plus;
• Knowledge of AIT methodologies used by NASA/ESA;
• Experience with RF link performance testing such as BER testing;
• Experience with SpaceWire, Ethernet, and/or CAN interfaces for space avionics;
• Familiarity with NASA GEVS, ECSS-Q-ST-20, or similar test standards
• Familiarity with CCSDS, ETSI, ECSS, and other relevant space protocol standards;
• Experience with anomaly investigations with flight hardware;
• Understanding of Spacecraft Telecommunications terminology and operations;
• Knowledge of SDR architectures and radio communications concepts;
• Familiarity of NASA-STD-1006 security standards and industry best practices;
• Strong problem-solving skills and adaptability across HW/SW/FW boundaries.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

To conform to U.S. Government international trade regulations, the applicant must be a U.S. Citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or U.S. Department of Commerce.

ARGOTEC OFFERS

• Annual incentive pay is based upon performance and commensurate with the level of the position.
• Generous benefit package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with 100% match up to 8%, life insurance, 3 weeks paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and more.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, this announcement is aimed at both sexes, under laws 903/77 and 125/91, and to people of all ages and all nationalities, under legislative decrees 215/03 and 216/03. Argotec is committed to fostering an inclusive, accepting, and diverse environment free of discrimination based on race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.