We are looking for a Deployable Structures Test Engineer to own the ground deployment test program for E-Space's large deployable antenna structure. This person will design and execute gravity-offload deployment test campaigns, characterize deployment kinematics and force profiles, establish ground-to-flight correlation, and verify deployment repeatability against aperture geometry requirements. This is a specialized role at the intersection of mechanisms, structural testing, and test facility engineering - for someone who has thought carefully about what it actually means to simulate zero-gravity deployment on the ground.
On-site in California or Texas. Hands-on test facility presence is required. Some travel between sites expected.
What you will do:
- Own the deployment test plan for the antenna assembly - from test requirements definition through gravity-offload rig design, test execution, and post-test correlation.
- Design or oversee design of gravity-offload and support fixtures appropriate for large flexible deployable structures, including friction budget analysis and rig compliance characterization.
- Execute deployment tests, capturing deployment force/torque profiles, deployable element tip trajectories, deployment timelines, and deployment-state shape measurements (photogrammetry or equivalent).
- Establish ground-to-flight correlation methodology: characterize offload rig artifacts, derive correction factors, and bound residual uncertainty in flight deployment prediction.
- Verify deployment repeatability run-to-run and characterize sensitivity to deployment sequencing, temperature, and lubricant state.
- Coordinate with the deployment mechanism team to characterize actuator force output and locked-state stiffness/backlash for use as structural dynamics boundary conditions.
- Coordinate with structural subsystem teams to characterize subsystem performance and define an integrated testing campaign.
- Feed deployment test data into the integrated structural model; participate in model-test correlation reviews with the IAS structures analyst.
Required qualifications:
- BS or MS or Ph.D. in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent.
- Experience with deployment or mechanism testing of flight hardware - solar arrays, antennas, booms, or equivalent deployable structures.
- Hands-on experience with gravity-offload test setups for large flexible hardware.
- Experience with force/torque measurement, deployment kinematics instrumentation, and photogrammetry or optical shape measurement.
- Practical understanding of test-to-flight fidelity gaps for deployable structures in 1g.
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience with composite boom deployment mechanisms or wrap-rib/coilable boom hardware.
- Familiarity with friction and lubrication behavior in space mechanisms across temperature ranges.
- Experience contributing to model-test correlation for deployment dynamics simulations.
- Knowledge of TVAC deployment testing and the additional instrumentation challenges it introduces.
Skills Required
- BS, MS, or Ph.D. in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering or equivalent
- Experience with deployment or mechanism testing of flight hardware (solar arrays, antennas, booms, or equivalent)
- Hands-on experience with gravity-offload test setups for large flexible hardware
- Experience with force/torque measurement, deployment kinematics instrumentation, and photogrammetry or optical shape measurement
- Practical understanding of test-to-flight fidelity gaps for deployable structures in 1g
- Ability to be on-site in Saratoga, CA or Arlington, TX and regular hands-on test facility presence
- Authorization to work in the role location (no employer sponsorship available)
- Experience with composite boom deployment mechanisms or wrap-rib/coilable boom hardware
- Familiarity with friction and lubrication behavior in space mechanisms across temperature ranges
- Experience contributing to model-test correlation for deployment dynamics simulations
- Knowledge of TVAC deployment testing and associated instrumentation challenges
What We Do
E-Space is a global space company focused on bridging Earth and space with the most sustainable low earth orbit (LEO) network that is expected to reach over one hundred thousand multi-application communication satellites to help businesses and governments securely and affordably access the power of space to solve problems on Earth. Founded by industry pioneer Greg Wyler, E-Space is focused on democratizing space and transforming industries by bringing down the cost of space-based communications, raising the level of satellite system resiliency and setting a new standard in sustainable space infrastructure that will effectively minimize and reduce space debris and destruction while preserving access to space for future generations.
