Mechanical Test Engineer

Job description

At ispace U.S., we’re not just going to the Moon—we’re redefining how we get there. Our missions push the boundaries of human and robotic exploration, driven by our belief: “Expand our Planet. Expand our Future.” By providing cost-effective lunar transportation, we are pioneering a future where space is within reach for scientific discovery, commercial ventures, and sustainable exploration. With locations in Japan, Luxembourg, and the United States, ispace is rapidly growing and leading the way in lunar exploration and development. Our U.S. branch is based in Englewood, Colorado, and focuses on high-capacity payload lunar landers designed to support future lunar missions. Our team is made up of innovators, problem-solvers, and visionaries committed to making space more accessible and fostering the next generation of space exploration. Let’s go to the Moon together! Our team is growing, and we are actively seeking talented individuals who share our passion for space. ispace-US is looking for a **Mechanical Test Engineer** to support testing activities for our lunar landers and relay satellites. You will own the planning, execution, and analysis of the testing used in the qualification and acceptance of our vehicles, subsystems, and in-house manufactured components. This is a hands-on role on a small, highly technical team. You will work directly with Design Responsible Engineers, AI&T, and Systems Engineers to verify that mission and design requirements are met — from early development through qualification and acceptance testing of lunar lander and relay satellite hardware. ### Key Responsibilities ### ***Test Planning & Requirements*** - Define test requirements, environmental conditions, instrumentation, and equipment needed to verify vehicle, subsystem, and component performance. - Develop, review, and execute test plans, procedures, and verification documentation for flight hardware, subsystems, and integrated systems. - Plan and coordinate test campaigns end to end, including facility requirements, ground support equipment (GSE), instrumentation, data acquisition, safety reviews, and logistics. ### ***Test Execution*** - Serve as Test Engineer and Certified Test Conductor (CTC), responsible for the safe development and execution of test procedures. CTC certification will be earned on the job — prior certification is not required. - Execute tests alongside test technicians, fellow test engineers, and the design team. - Own the test procedures for structural, propulsion, and other hardware on the vehicles. - Design, develop, and oversee fabrication of tooling and test fixtures as needed. ### ***Analysis & Reporting*** - Collect and reduce test data to determine whether requirements have been met. - Document results, generate test reports, and deliver recommendations to engineering leadership and program stakeholders in order to validate our processes and hardware. - Support root-cause investigations and corrective action implementation following test failures or hardware anomalies. - Document and provide resolution to non-conformances. ### ***Capability Building*** - Develop and maintain test equipment, fixtures, instrumentation, procedures, and laboratory capabilities to improve efficiency and repeatability. - Contribute to the Preventative Maintenance Plan (PMP) and to the expansion of the test team's equipment and facilities. - Maintain configuration control of test articles, test equipment, procedures, and associated documentation throughout the program lifecycle. - Partner with engineers, subject matter experts, and technicians to resolve shop floor issues. ### Basic Qualifications - Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline. - 2+ years of experience in aerospace, defense, pressurized systems, or other high-reliability hardware testing, integration, manufacturing, or verification. Substantial collegiate project team experience (e.g. Formula SAE, Design/Build/Fly, collegiate rocketry, hybrid electric vehicle) counts toward this. - Demonstrated experience developing and executing test plans, test procedures, verification documentation, and test reports. - Hands-on experience with instrumentation and data acquisition systems. - Working knowledge of scripting or automation tools such as Python, LabVIEW, or MATLAB. - Comfortable working hands-on with hardware in laboratory, cleanroom, and manufacturing environments. - Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a high standard of accountability and integrity. ### What Makes You Stand Out! - Familiarity with qualification and acceptance testing methodologies for aerospace or other high-reliability systems. - Experience with requirements verification and traceability methodologies. - Experience with pneumatic or pressurized testing across a range of pressures, volumes, and media. - Experience with the design, manufacture, and operation of pressurized test stands. - Familiarity with NASA-STD-7000, SMC-S-016, SSCMAN 91-710, MIL-STD-810, or equivalent - Working knowledge of AS9100, ISO, and quality control standards. - Experience with National Instruments data acquisition equipment - Strong understanding of engineering documentation, configuration management, and verification processes. - A track record of driving continuous quality and process improvement in a hardware manufacturing environment.