Electrical and RF Test Engineering Lead

Please review the job details below.

Maxar Space is currently seeking a motivated and skilled Test Engineering Lead to support the Electrical and RF Communication test team in Palo Alto, CA.  In this role, you will be responsible for assisting management as a staff lead in supervising and coordinating daily operations. This is a Satellite Assembly, Integration and Test (AIT) position for dayshift, responsible for all Electrical and RF Comm technical aspects of Spacecraft level integration, testing and support of spacecraft.  This group provides direct program technical support in all phases of spacecraft build to include panel, bus, main body, thermal vacuum, dynamics and launch base.  This group consists of 10+ personnel in which the role is responsible for staff planning and scheduling, as well as ensuring support and execution of AIT Electrical/RF Comm factory demands.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead test floor efforts for a technician team with diverse skillsets to provide Electrical and RF Comm staffing support of all Satellite Assembly, Integration and Testing (AIT) factory demand.
• Execute AIT Electrical and RF Comm testing as directed by vehicle engineers balancing overall workload across projects and deconflict resources to support program schedules.

• Employee development: Mentorship, coaching and guiding of Electrical and RF Comm technicians, junior engineers, and cross department loan-in personnel, as they perform their job duties and develop their careers.
• Work with Technical, Engineering, Management and Quality personnel to identify and resolve production and test issues, through participation in Working Corrective Action Board (WCAB).
• Identify and execute on process improvements or cost reduction opportunities.
• Coordinate Electrical Operation Support Team Activities, which includes coordination of equipment allocation, maintaining calibrated equipment, tool accountability, and logistical support for offsite operations.
• Support managers with input and assessment for Manpower forecast planning, evaluation, and hiring to support all Satellite AIT Integration and Test activities.

• Set up, adjust, and calibrate standard test apparatus or device test equipment to conduct, functional, operational, and environmental and life tests to evaluate performance and reliability of prototype and/or production model satellites per the applicable test procedures.
• Perform S/C performance testing of communications, telemetry and command, thermal, power, propulsion and attitude/control subsystems per the applicable procedure. Applies power and configures the spacecraft per the applicable test procedure.
• Understand the operation of various types of test equipment such as oscilloscopes and Digital Volt Meters, Spectrum Analyzer, Signal Generator and Network Analyzer.
• Operate spacecraft test consoles such as the Payload and Electrical test Racks per applicable test procedures. Familiar with windows style PC operating systems.
• Determine methods & sequences of operations to test components and systems in conformance with published procedures, engineering specs.
• Analyze and interpret electrical/RF test data. Provide diagnostic malfunctions and offer test result feedback to Vehicle and System Engineers.
• Must have a strong background in electronics, adhering to procedures and attention to detail
• Write technical reports to describe and illustrate system's operating characteristics, malfunctions, and deviations from design specifications for engineer’s review and determination. Responsible for writing detailed pass down, TAR and NCR reports.

Minimum Requirements (Quantitative/Measurable):

• Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• BS degree in an engineering discipline. Four additional years of experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• 5 years of experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with Satellite Manufacturing, Integration and Testing.
• Team Leadership; able to develop and motivate a highly effective team, able to develop good working relationships at all levels of the organization, able to understand and communicate the leadership vision, able to effectively operate across organizational boundaries, demonstrate conflict resolution.
• Must be able to effectively communicate and interact with other team members both written and verbal.
• Strong Listening ability: able to hear what is said, understand, communicate, and engage
• Able to Influence others: decision-making, negotiation, persuasion, problem-solving, and trust/credibility building
• Must have good teamwork skills.

● The base pay for this position within California is: $100,000.00 - $166,000.00 annually.

For all other states, we use geographic cost of labor as an input to develop market-driven ranges for our roles, and as such, each location where we hire may have a different range.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, health and welfare insurance, and 401(k) to eligible employees. You can find more information on our benefits at: https://www.maxar.com/careers/benefits

The application window is three days from the date the job is posted and will remain posted until a qualified candidate has been identified for hire.  If the job is reposted regardless of reason, it will remain posted three days from the date the job is reposted and will remain reposted until a qualified candidate has been identified for hire. 

The date of posting can be found on Maxar’s Career page at the top of each job posting.

To apply, submit your application via Maxar’s Career page.

Maxar Technologies values diversity in the workplace and is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.