Assembly, Integration and Test Engineer

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Full Time Technical Albuquerque, NM, US

Salary Range: $72,056.00 To $90,164.00 Annually

The Assembly, Integration, and Test (AI&T) Engineer is responsible for developing, executing, and documenting test procedures for space technology systems ranging from Cube Sats to ESPA-class spacecraft to ensure performance, functionality, and reliability in support of Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) space missions. This role involves integrating spacecraft hardware and software components, conducting space-qualified environmental testing, troubleshooting technical issues, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to refine mission designs.

The AI&T engineer will support the full testing lifecycle for spaceflight experiments, including:

• Spacecraft assembly and integration:
  Hands-on assembly, integration, and testing of spacecraft buses, payloads, and experiments within government clean room facilities at Kirtland AFB
• Space environmental testing:
  Conduct and support functional and environmental testing including thermal vacuum, vibration, acoustic, EMI/EMC, and other space-qualification tests
• Launch integration:
  Support flight experiment integration at launch sites, including mechanical installation, functional testing, inspection, and day-of-launch processes
• Test facility management:
  Support government integration facility operations, including laboratory safety, clean room protocols, ESD procedures, and compliance with aerospace safety standards

This position requires hands-on experience with space hardware, understanding of spaceflight environmental requirements, and the ability to work in Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIFs) supporting cradle-to-grave space mission life cycles from concept through launch and operations.

Key Responsibilities:

System Assembly and Integration:

• Perform hands-on assembly and integration of spacecraft buses, payloads, and experiments within government facilities
• Support integration of Cube Sat through ESPA-class spacecraft and high-altitude balloon systems
• Integrate flight hardware and software components, ensuring proper interfaces and functionality
• Support spacecraft mechanical installation, harnessing, thermal blanketing, and system closeouts
• Coordinate with spacecraft subsystem engineers (power, communications, attitude control, propulsion, structures)
• Maintain clean room protocols, ESD procedures, and contamination control standards
• Support government integration facility management including equipment maintenance and calibration
• Develop and execute test plans for space-qualified environmental testing:
  • Thermal vacuum testing (hot/cold operational and survival temperatures)
  • Vibration and shock testing (simulating launch environments)
  • Acoustic testing (launch vehicle acoustic environments)
  • EMI/EMC testing (electromagnetic compatibility for space systems)
  • Functional testing (end-to-end spacecraft operations verification)
• Conduct systems-level tests to evaluate performance of spacecraft, balloon, and ground systems/subsystems
• Operate and maintain test equipment including thermal chambers, shake tables, and RF test equipment
• Perform data reduction, analysis, and review of functional and environmental test results
• Develop documented data acquisition, processing, analysis, and modeling/simulation tools for test evaluations

Test Planning & Documentation:

• Develop comprehensive test plans, test procedures, and test cases for spacecraft verification and validation
• Draft and review test specifications and user's guides
• Prepare Safety Plans and Risk Management Plans for test activities
• Document experimental processes and results to allow independent reproduction of tests
• Participate in programmatic, technical, and safety reviews
• Conduct reliability, operability, interoperability, and performance assessments
• Maintain test reports, compliance artifacts, and lessons learned documentation

Launch Integration Support:

• Support flight experiment launch integration activities at launch sites
• Support telemetry archiving, analysis, and post-launch documentation
• Pack, protect, and ship flight experiments and support equipment to launch facilities
• Support hardware and software integration in preparation for launch, including:
  • Mechanical installation and interface verification
  • Functional testing and health checks
  • Thermal blanketing and final closeouts
  • Inspection and fairing integration
  • Range safety procedures
  • Day-of-launch processes and anomaly resolution

Integration Facility Management:

• Maintain and upgrade government integration capabilities and equipment
• Identify and recommend mitigation for hazardous situations in work spaces, test facilities, integration areas, and pre-launch facilities
• Support government integration facility management, including:
  • Personnel training on laboratory equipment and safety procedures
  • Facility security and…