Assembly, Integration and Test Engineer III

Vantage Systems, Inc. (Vantage), is a pioneering force in the realm of multi-disciplinary engineering services for spaceflight projects. Since our establishment in 1992, we have consistently delivered progressive solutions to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) space flight community earning recognition for our unwavering integrity and dedication to delivering top-tier solutions that align with the U.S. space program missions.

For over three decades, Vantage’s commitment to quality service and innovation has driven our rapid growth. Fueled by a deep understanding of the ever-evolving U.S. space program, we continuously pioneer progressive solutions to address NASA’s & DoD’s pressing challenges. Our unwavering commitment to exceptional service is built upon a foundation of ethics, honesty, and a people-centric approach. Join us as we forge ahead, combining our expertise with NASA’s legacy of excellence to shape the future of space exploration.

We are looking for highly qualified candidates for a contract positioned onsite at the 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 CubeSats 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 lifecycles 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 CubeSat 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

Space Environmental Testing:

• 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 workspaces, 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 access control compliance
  • Safety compliance and hazard identification Maintain and upgrade government integration capabilities and equipment

Root Cause Analysis & Re-engineering:

• Analyze test results, troubleshoot issues, and support root cause analysis for test failures
• Support re-engineering and re-design of software and hardware after testing
• Implement corrective actions and retest to verify fixes
• Document failure modes, lessons learned, and design improvements

Collaboration and Cross-Functional Support:

• Work closely with systems engineers, software engineers, hardware engineers, and operations personnel
• Support direct analytical, technician, and systems engineering tasks of the RVE Assembly, Integration, and Testing Infrastructure Lead(s)
• Provide technical support for design reviews, customer demonstrations, and field testing

This is a journeyman level position.

Minimum Qualifications: