Space Test Engineer at HawkEye 360 in Herndon, VA

Job description

• HawkEye 360 is seeking a Space Test Engineer to join the Assembly, Integration, & Test (AI&T) Team. The Space Team’s mission is to design, build, and test small commercial satellites that provide revolutionary RF geospatial analytics.
• In this role, you will serve as a technical owner for development, improvement, and execution of spacecraft-level test programs. You will modernize existing test procedures, design new ones, and ensure that HawkEye 360’s spacecraft are verified with rigor, efficiency, and engineering excellence. This position requires strong hands-on experience, systems-level awareness, and the ability to design test support equipment that enables reliable validation of complex RF payloads and spacecraft subsystems.

Responsibilities

• Independently execute unit-level and spacecraft-level functional tests, analyze results, and drive updates to test procedures based on findings.
• Modernize existing test procedures to increase clarity, efficiency, and coverage.
• Design, plan and execute environmental tests (TVAC, Vibe, EMI/EMC, radiation)
• Design harnessing, electrical and mechanical ground support equipment (EGSE and MGSE) to facilitate I&T work for flatsats and flight hardware
• Collaborate with the software team to execute and implement automated test scripts and framework
• Develop and refine detailed design documents, interface control drawing (ICD’s), test plans, and test procedures across spacecraft subsystems.
• Support launch site integration and test campaigns
• Work with limited oversight in a fast-paced integration and test environment, making informed technical decisions and escalating issues appropriately.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• 1-5 years professional experience
• Proficiency in Python or another high-level programming language, preferably for automated testing.
• Experience with CAD software (NX, Solidworks, or similar)
• Strong analytical and strategic skills, with excellent written and presentation abilities.
• Experience developing or improving aerospace test procedures, verification flows, or test infrastructure
• Experience designing or modifying EGSE/MGSE to support spacecraft integration.
• Ability to work onsite and hands-on with spacecraft hardware, following strict ESD and cleanroom protocols.
• Interest working in the smallsat or space industry with RF payloads or communication systems.
• Experience handling expensive electronic components (ESD and Cleanroom best practices).
• Experience with Printed Circuit Board (PCB) design using Altium.
• Experience writing technical documentation such as test procedures and test plans
• Experience using lab equipment such as Digital Multimeters, Spectrum Analyzers, Network Analyzers, Signal Generators, and Thermal Chambers
• Strong troubleshooting skills in complex electromechanical or RF systems

Skills

Required

• Strong analytical and strategic skills
• Ability to work with limited oversight
• Strong troubleshooting skills
• EGSE/MGSE design
• PCB design using Altium

Benefits

• We offer a compensation package that includes a competitive base salary plus annual performance bonus and benefits. We consider many factors when determining salary offers, such as candidate's work experience, education, training & skills, as well as market and business considerations. We are also open to considering candidates with experience and qualifications at a different level than required in a job posting, which may affect the compensation package offered.
• Salary Range
• $70,000 - $115,000 USD