Assembly, Integration and Test Engineer II

Overview

Vantage Systems, Inc. (Vantage) engineers spaceflight projects and delivers multi-disciplinary engineering services for NASA and the DoD. Since 1992, we have provided innovative solutions aligned with U.S. space program missions, built on ethics and a people-centric approach.

Assembly, Integration and Test Engineer II — On-site contract at Kirtland AFB, Albuquerque, NM supporting the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) SSHINE contract.

Location:

Albuquerque, NM | Status:
Full-time on-site

Salary Range: $87,282.00 to $ Annually

We are looking for highly qualified candidates for a contract position onsite at Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, NM supporting the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) SSHINE contract.

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 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:

• 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

• 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
• Docum…