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Spacecraft Test Engineer
Company Overview
Astro Digital (https://astrodigital.com) is a Silicon Valley-based NewSpace startup founded to develop a constellation of multispectral imaging satellites, called Landmapper, to support global resource and agricultural applications including water management, deforestation and precision farming. Along the way, we've developed our own cubesats, imaging payloads, ground systems and industry leading communications technologies.
With a majority of the Landmapper development underway, we've turned our attention towards leveraging those technologies and experiences into new missions for other customers, in what we call Mission-as-a-Service (MaaS). In the same way cloud computing allows new web app startups to develop, launch and scale their apps quickly and cheaply, we've developed a platform of products and services allowing new satellite-based companies to do likewise. Our MaaS offering is ideal for new applications as diverse as IoT, SAR, Earth Imaging, Science and Exploration, Zero Gravity Biology and In-Space Manufacturing.
We have raised over $19M in venture capital, launched 10 satellites, and will be well into the execution of our first five MaaS contracts. Astro Digital is a dynamic team making it easier than ever to develop and launch new commercial space businesses and we'd love for you to join us.
Position Summary
As Spacecraft Test Engineer your primary role will be to support testing and verification of satellite hardware and systems. Specifically, this role includes carrying out, revising, and writing test plans and procedures; presenting results and feedback to designers and program management; and designing new hardware and software to support testing and generally improving the testing and verification function of the company.
You will also be expected to interpret overall mission objectives, how system configurations coalesce, and how satellites perform in orbit. You will interact daily with the Design and Satellite Operation teams. Complementing this broad overview, you will build familiarity with some of the finest details of hardware and software implementation. As part of the Spacecraft Test team, you will join the iterative design and production processes, applying your experience to assure mission success.
Grasp of both general and detailed information, inquisitiveness, and attention to detail are essential qualities of a person in this role.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Desired Skills and Experience
Astro Digital (https://astrodigital.com) is a Silicon Valley-based NewSpace startup founded to develop a constellation of multispectral imaging satellites, called Landmapper, to support global resource and agricultural applications including water management, deforestation and precision farming. Along the way, we've developed our own cubesats, imaging payloads, ground systems and industry leading communications technologies.
With a majority of the Landmapper development underway, we've turned our attention towards leveraging those technologies and experiences into new missions for other customers, in what we call Mission-as-a-Service (MaaS). In the same way cloud computing allows new web app startups to develop, launch and scale their apps quickly and cheaply, we've developed a platform of products and services allowing new satellite-based companies to do likewise. Our MaaS offering is ideal for new applications as diverse as IoT, SAR, Earth Imaging, Science and Exploration, Zero Gravity Biology and In-Space Manufacturing.
We have raised over $19M in venture capital, launched 10 satellites, and will be well into the execution of our first five MaaS contracts. Astro Digital is a dynamic team making it easier than ever to develop and launch new commercial space businesses and we'd love for you to join us.
Position Summary
As Spacecraft Test Engineer your primary role will be to support testing and verification of satellite hardware and systems. Specifically, this role includes carrying out, revising, and writing test plans and procedures; presenting results and feedback to designers and program management; and designing new hardware and software to support testing and generally improving the testing and verification function of the company.
You will also be expected to interpret overall mission objectives, how system configurations coalesce, and how satellites perform in orbit. You will interact daily with the Design and Satellite Operation teams. Complementing this broad overview, you will build familiarity with some of the finest details of hardware and software implementation. As part of the Spacecraft Test team, you will join the iterative design and production processes, applying your experience to assure mission success.
Grasp of both general and detailed information, inquisitiveness, and attention to detail are essential qualities of a person in this role.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
- Write and execute test plans for spacecraft components at all levels of integration, including fully assembled Flight Models
- Analyze and present feedback on both the process and results to larger teams
- Flow observations to the business development and engineering teams to support proposal work and inform future designs
- Ensure test plans and procedures meet system requirements and evolving mission characteristics
- Develop and operate test automation hardware and software
- Troubleshoot anomalous test results and identify defects in hardware and software.
- Apply diligence to support production efficiency, mission objectives, and above all, hardware and personnel safety
Desired Skills and Experience
- B.S. or M.S. in engineering (aerospace, mechanical, electrical, software), math, physics, or other related technical fields
- ≥ 2 years experience in testing, test engineering, or technical aspects of product design or production
- Comfortable reading and following detailed procedures
- Proficiency with lab electrical diagnostic and measurement tools (multimeters, scopes, sources)
- Experience in aerospace, mass production, or test automation is additionally valuable
- Ability to read electrical schematics
- Experience in electrical design, microcontroller operations, embedded systems a plus
- Skilled writing object oriented software such as Python or C++
- Familiarity with Linux operating system
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Desire to define and solve problems independently, tempered with experience to know when to seek input
- Experience with environmental testing
- Interest in collaborating with a first-rate, friendly team
Program Manager
Position Summary
The Satellite Program Manager is the key individual responsible for all aspects of satellite program execution following the signing of the contract through on-orbit commissioning. The role is the primary interface to the customer, leads the cross functional program team and is responsible to executive management for the delivery of the expected technical, financial, and schedule performance per company and customer requirements.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Desired Skills and Experience
The Satellite Program Manager is the key individual responsible for all aspects of satellite program execution following the signing of the contract through on-orbit commissioning. The role is the primary interface to the customer, leads the cross functional program team and is responsible to executive management for the delivery of the expected technical, financial, and schedule performance per company and customer requirements.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
- Develop all aspects of the program plan including budget, schedule, and personnel plans.
- Lead a team of engineers and technicians that are responsible for executing a satellite program from design through on-orbit commissioning.
- Be the primary interface with the customer, understanding their needs and concerns, influence decision making and support the VP of Business Development in new contract negotiations.
- Work with internal partners in R&D, Procurement, Production, AI&T and Operations to set realistic schedules and expectations and manage through conflicts.
- Review contractual documents and financials through the process, and ensure that the program is on track, and executed with speed and efficiency.
Desired Skills and Experience
- 10+ year of experience supporting spacecraft and/or space related programs, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
- Proven track record forming and leading cross functional technical teams
- Demonstrated proficiency in program planning, budgeting, scheduling, and risk management
- Detailed knowledge and experience in at least one of the following: Spacecraft Design, Spacecraft/Component Integration and Test (I&T), Payload design and I&T, Launch Vehicle Integration, Space Mission Operations, Space Ground Systems.
Sr. Software Engineer
Position Summary
As a Sr. Software Engineer you are responsible for designing, developing and implementing innovative satellite flight software solutions across a variety of satellite subsystems and at the system level. You are responsible to program and project managers for software development and testing for customer programs and internal R&D efforts. You will also research and advise on the state of industry's software best practices, tools, and products in support of company software strategy.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Desired Skills and Experience
As a Sr. Software Engineer you are responsible for designing, developing and implementing innovative satellite flight software solutions across a variety of satellite subsystems and at the system level. You are responsible to program and project managers for software development and testing for customer programs and internal R&D efforts. You will also research and advise on the state of industry's software best practices, tools, and products in support of company software strategy.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
- Develop and implement simple, reliable, and fault tolerant software for a variety of SoC's and microcontrollers in C/C++, MicroPython and Python
- Participate in driver development, bring up hardware enablement on Linux, and other real time operating systems
- Test software in simulation and hardware-in-the-loop environments, including the development of comprehensive unit and regression tests
- Work with the team to establish software requirements and architecture including supporting software related business development tasks
- Support the Satellite Operations team in satellite commissioning, operations automation, anomaly investigation and mitigation.
Desired Skills and Experience
- B.S. in computer science or equivalent practical experience
- 5+ years of related experience developing C/C++ software for high-performance embedded devices
- Demonstrated ability to develop and debug firmware
- Familiar with one or more cross compile build environments
- Highly motivated, self-starting, and able to perform duties autonomously without supervision
- Hands on experience with satellites, robotic systems, or similar
- Experience with build system, package manager and SW analysis tool
- Experience with bootloader, linux kernel and buildroot
- Experience with FPGAs a plus
- Experience with RF systems a plus
- Experience with real-time operating systems (FreeRTOS and TI-RTOS a plus)
Intern/Co-Op Engineer
Position Summary
Astro Digital hires a small cohort of highly motivated college students each year both over the summer months and during the school year as interns and Co-Op students. We will throw you into the deep end and expect you to directly support mission critical tasks across the spectrum of technical functions from Electrical and Mechanical Engineering to Software Development, Automation, and Satellite Operations. You will work with a mentor to identify projects that best meet your interests and skillsets, but you will also have the freedom to see and support all aspects of our business and learn about the aerospace industry as a whole.
Possible Intern and Co-Op Roles at Astro Digital
Desired Skills and Experience
Astro Digital hires a small cohort of highly motivated college students each year both over the summer months and during the school year as interns and Co-Op students. We will throw you into the deep end and expect you to directly support mission critical tasks across the spectrum of technical functions from Electrical and Mechanical Engineering to Software Development, Automation, and Satellite Operations. You will work with a mentor to identify projects that best meet your interests and skillsets, but you will also have the freedom to see and support all aspects of our business and learn about the aerospace industry as a whole.
Possible Intern and Co-Op Roles at Astro Digital
- Satellite Systems Engineering (System Design, Requirements Derivation, Test Development etc)
- Satellite Electrical Engineering Projects (Board Design, Layout, Testing)
- Satellite Mechanical Engineering Projects (Environmental Testing, CAD etc)
- Satellite Operations and Ground Station Development
- Automation of Satellite Manufacturing and Testing
- Camera Calibration and Optics Projects in Support of Multispectral Imaging Payloads
Desired Skills and Experience
- Currently enrolled as a part time of full time student in a technical degree program at an accredited four year university (Engineering, Science, Math etc).
- Hands on project experience with:
- Robotics
- Satellite Systems Engineering
- Satellite and Satellite Component Integration and Testing
- Linux/Python
- C/Embedded Programming
- Computer Aided Design (CAD)
- Satellite Operations
- RF Communications and Software Defined Radios
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