Test Engineer

We are seeking an experienced Test Engineer to support the development, integration, and qualification of Hydrosat's next-generation multispectral imaging payloads. Working closely with the Hydrosat engineering team, this role will be responsible for defining, developing, automating, and executing test programs for optical, electrical, and environmental verification of flight hardware.

The ideal candidate will have a strong hardware test automation background and hands-on experience testing optical and electro-optical systems. This individual will play a key role in bringing up and validating Hydrosat's multispectral payloads, supporting activities from prototype development through environmental qualification and flight readiness.

This is a highly hands-on position requiring both laboratory and systems-level testing. The successful candidate will be comfortable developing test procedures, building automated test solutions, executing complex test campaigns, analyzing results, troubleshooting hardware issues, and generating formal test reports.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute test strategies for multispectral optical payloads and associated electronics

• Define test requirements, verification methods, and success criteria in collaboration with systems, optical, electrical, and software engineering teams

• Create detailed test procedures, work instructions, and verification plans

• Design and implement automated test solutions using scripting and data acquisition tools where appropriate

• Perform hands-on optical testing including detector characterization, image quality assessments, radiometric performance evaluation, alignment verification, and calibration activities

• Execute electrical and electronic subsystem testing including functional verification, interface testing, and troubleshooting

• Plan and conduct environmental test campaigns including thermal, thermal-vacuum (TVAC), vibration, and related qualification testing

• Support payload integration, bring-up, and troubleshooting activities during development and qualification phases

• Develop test fixtures, instrumentation setups, and data collection methods to improve test efficiency and repeatability

• Analyze test data, identify anomalies, perform root-cause investigations, and recommend corrective actions

• Generate comprehensive test reports and present results to internal stakeholders and review boards

• Support qualification, acceptance, and flight readiness verification activities

• Coordinate with external test facilities, vendors, and partners as required

• Contribute to continuous improvement of laboratory capabilities, automation frameworks, and test methodologies

• Other duties and responsibilities as required

• Bachelor's degree in either Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Optical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field

• 3-5 years of experience in hardware test, integration, or verification engineering

• Hands-on experience testing optical, electro-optical, imaging, or sensor systems

• Experience with laboratory instrumentation such as oscilloscopes, power supplies, DAQs, environmental chambers, spectrum analyzers, or optical test equipment

• Experience developing test procedures, verification plans, and formal test documentation

• Experience with test automation using Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, or similar tools

• Experience with basic networking

• Familiarity with detector characterization, imaging systems, optical calibration, or radiometric testing is highly desirable

• Experience executing environmental testing including thermal, thermal-vacuum (TVAC), vibration, and related qualification testing

• Strong troubleshooting and root-cause analysis skills involving hardware, electronics, and integrated systems

• Ability to collect, analyze, and present technical data in a clear and concise manner

• Comfortable working in a hands-on laboratory environment and supporting hardware integration activities

• Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary engineering teams

Nice to have:

• Experience with spaceflight hardware, aerospace systems, or satellite payloads

• Experience with multispectral, hyperspectral, infrared, or imaging sensor technologies

• Familiarity with environmental qualification standards used in the aerospace industry

• Experience developing automated test frameworks and data processing pipelines

• Understanding of optical performance metrics such as MTF, SNR, radiometric accuracy, and detector calibration

• Experience supporting qualification, acceptance, or flight hardware test campaigns

Benefits

• Employee options

• Health insurance: Medical, Vision, Dental

• Flexible time off

• Maternity, Paternity & Parental Leave

• 401K Matching

E-Verify

Hydrosat, Inc. participates in the federal E-Verify program to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees, as required by law.

EEO Statement

Hydrosat, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans throughout the hiring process. Applicants requiring accommodation should contact Human Resources via email at hydrosat-hr-us@hydrosat.com or by calling 202-630-9980.

Federal Contract Eligibility Requirement

Due to the nature of the work and applicable U.S. federal government contract requirements, this position is limited to individuals who are U.S. citizens. This requirement is mandated by the federal government and is not a discretionary employment policy. Proof of eligibility will be required as a condition of employment, consistent with applicable law.

Export Control/ITAR Compliance

This position may involve access to information or technology subject to U.S. export control laws and regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). As a result, the successful candidate must be a “U.S. Person” as defined by ITAR (22 C.F.R. § 120.62). Verification of eligibility will be required as a condition of employment, in accordance with applicable law.