Project Kuiper is an initiative to launch a constellation of Low Earth Orbit satellites that will provide low-latency, high-speed broadband connectivity to unserved and under-served communities around the world. The Propulsion Group is seeking a Test Engineer to support the development and continued optimization of propulsion flight hardware test capabilities to support this constellation.

The Propulsion Test Engineer will work within the Kuiper Propulsion Team in the development, operation, and optimization of electric propulsion test infrastructure. This person will get to develop and improve testing capabilities for a variety of different propulsion subsystems, including PCBA's, feed systems, thrusters, cathodes, tanks, and integrated propulsion systems.

The Test Engineer will develop and design new test capabilities as well as improve existing test frameworks in order to ensure the needed test coverage is achieved at increasing production rates. This will include hardware automation and test software optimization of existing systems, buildup of additional systems for parallel testing, and performing and utilizing development testing to inform methods of accelerating production testing and improving screening. The Test Engineer will also contribute to finding solutions to challenging problems by investigating root causes for hardware failures as well as trading process methodologies, schedule constraints, and test coverage in order to enable increased production rates to be obtained.


Key job responsibilities
- Define and implement solutions to optimize and automate electric propulsion system testing
- Develop test automation, data acquisition, and data analysis hardware and software to improve test efficiency and cycle times
- Perform root cause investigations to understand hardware and test failures and disposition flight hardware non-conformances
- Work with hardware subsystem owners to ensure test coverage is maintained across multiple development and flight hardware design update cycles
- Perform development testing and data analysis to inform methods of accelerating existing testing without reducing hardware screening capabilities
- Work with other engineers to refine test requirements and the methodologies to test against those requirements
- Train operators in the execution of developed testing and processes

Export Control Requirement:
Due to applicable export control laws and regulations, candidates must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.


A day in the life
The Propulsion Test Engineer will develop and perform a variety of hardware tests of propulsion subsystems as well as integrated systems to ensure the hardware meets qualification and acceptance requirements for flight. They will also work closely with multiple engineering teams to identify process improvements to improve test efficiency. A successful candidate thrives in a fast paced, start-up like environment and is able to apply their technical expertise and commitment to quality to positively impact organization goals. To be successful they will need to be highly motivated and detail oriented while showing the highest standards of execution.


About the team
The Kuiper Propulsion Team is responsible for the design and development of the propulsion system which provides maneuvering capability to the spacecraft. The Propulsion Team is made up of a variety of sub-teams which are responsible for various aspects of the development process, such as mechanical design, systems engineering, subject matter experts, manufacturing, and test. This integrated team structure allows direct communication and rapid process feedback while also promoting close collaboration across the team.