Test Conductor

Job description

Quantum Space is redefining mobility and maneuverability in space. Our high-mobility spacecraft platforms support national security, civil, and commercial missions with unmatched flexibility and propulsion capability. We build fast and iterate quickly. **Who We're Looking For** We are seeking a technically capable and mission-focused Test Conductor to support the planning, execution, and coordination of spacecraft flight hardware, software and space defense system testing. In this role, you will serve as the central point of coordination during integrated test activities, ensuring test objectives are achieved safely, efficiently, and in accordance with approved procedures and mission requirements. You will work at the intersection of systems engineering, hardware, software, integration, operations, and mission assurance— supporting and collaborating with subsystem engineering teams through complex spacecraft and subsystem test campaigns while maintaining rigorous configuration control, procedural discipline, and real-time situational awareness. You will play a key role in verifying that mission-critical spacecraft and space defense systems are ready to perform in demanding operational environments. This position is ideal for an engineer who thrives in hands-on test environments, communicates clearly under pressure, and enjoys bringing multidisciplinary teams together to solve complex technical problems. --- **Where You'll Make an Impact** - Support and conduct spacecraft, subsystem, and integrated system test activities from pre-test readiness through execution, anomaly resolution, and test closeout - Develop, review, and execute detailed test procedures, test plans, test scripts, and operational sequences - Design, develop and/or modify test and data display pages (computer screens showing essential command, status and safety data used during testing, launch, and potentially on-orbit). - Support the development, integration, and testing of spacecraft and Ground Support systems - Attend pre-test briefings, verify test roles and communication protocols, and verify personnel, hardware, software, facilities, and instrumentation are ready for test - Perform real-time test execution, including procedural steps, holds, aborts, redlines, configuration changes, and recovery activities - Monitor spacecraft and ground system telemetry, test equipment, system health, limits, and performance during test operations - Maintain configuration control and ensure the correct hardware, software, firmware, procedures, and ground support equipment are used throughout test execution - Assist with troubleshooting and anomaly investigation with subsystem subject matter experts while maintaining safe system configurations - Document test results, anomalies, procedural deviations, configuration changes, and lessons learned - Support spacecraft integration, functional testing, mission simulations, environmental testing, and launch or mission readiness activities - Participate in Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs), design reviews, mission readiness reviews, failure investigations, and technical assessments - Support environmental qualification and acceptance testing, including thermal vacuum (TVAC), vibration, shock, and EMI/EMC campaigns - Collaborate with systems engineering to verify requirements, maintain test traceability, and ensure verification objectives are successfully completed - Support development and improvement of test infrastructure, ground support equipment, automation, telemetry displays, and test processes - Help establish disciplined test operations that enable Quantum Space to move quickly without compromising mission assurance, personnel safety, or hardware integrity --- **What It Takes** - Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline - 2–5+ years of professional experience supporting aerospace, defense, spacecraft, launch vehicle, missile, avionics, satellite, or other complex high-reliability systems - Experience planning, executing, or supporting integrated hardware and/or software test operations - Ability to understand complex system architectures, interfaces, operational sequences, and test configurations - Experience developing, reviewing, and executing technical test plans and procedures - Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, electrical schematics, interface control documents (ICDs), requirements, telemetry definitions, and technical documentation - Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills with the ability to coordinate technical teams during time-sensitive test operations - Demonstrated ability to maintain procedural discipline and configuration control while operating complex hardware - Strong verbal communication skills and confidence directing multidisciplinary teams during test execution - Ability to clearly communicate test status, technical issues, risks, and decisions to engineers, program leadership, and mission stakeholders - Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, particularly when managing procedures, test configurations, data, and discrepancy documentation - Comfortable working hands-on with flight hardware, ground support equipment, test instrumentation, and spacecraft systems - Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, iterative engineering environment where test results directly influence hardware and software development --- **Nice-to-Have Experience** - Experience conducting spacecraft, satellite, launch vehicle, missile defense, or national security space test operations - Experience serving as a Test Conductor, Test Director, Test Engineer, Mission Operations Engineer, Integration & Test Engineer, or similar technical leadership role - Familiarity with spacecraft avionics, propulsion, electrical power, communications, guidance/navigation/control, flight software, and command and telemetry systems - Experience with spacecraft Assembly, Integration, and Test (AI&T) or Integration, Verification, and Validation (IV&V) - Experience supporting mission simulations, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), software-in-the-loop (SIL), or integrated system testing - Familiarity with spacecraft command and telemetry systems, ground software, automated test systems, and telemetry visualization tools - Experience with environmental qualification and acceptance testing, including TVAC, vibration, acoustic, shock, and EMI/EMC testing - Experience supporting launch site operations, spacecraft commissioning, mission operations, or on-orbit testing - Programming or test automation experience using Python, MATLAB, Bash, or similar scripting languages - Familiarity with communication interfaces and protocols such as Ethernet, CAN, RS-422, RS-485, SpaceWire, LVDS, MIL-STD-1553, I2C, or SPI - Experience with requirements management, verification matrices, discrepancy reporting, configuration management, and test data review - Familiarity with failure review boards, anomaly resolution processes, root cause analysis, and corrective action processes - Experience working with U.S. Government, DoD, Space Force, Intelligence Community, Missile Defense Agency, or other national security customers - Active or prior U.S. Government security clearance --- **What You'll Get** - Ownership – Lead critical spacecraft test operations and take responsibility for safely and successfully executing mission-critical verification activities - Innovation – Help develop and validate advanced spacecraft technologies enabling next-generation space mobility, maneuverability, and defense missions - Impact – Play a direct role in ensuring spacecraft and space systems are ready to perform for demanding national security, civil, and commercial missions - Growth – Build broad technical expertise across spacecraft hardware, software, systems engineering, integration, test, and mission operations while working alongside a multidisciplinary engineering team - Mission Exposure – Participate across the spacecraft lifecycle, from early hardware development and subsystem testing through integrated vehicle test, environmental qualification, launch readiness, and mission operations - Compensation – Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, HSA, 401(k) matching, and equity sharing **Location:** Rockville, MD; or Hawthorne, CA; or Denver, CO **Base Salary:** $ 75,000 - $105,000 The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full-time offers and are considered part of Quantum Space's total compensation package. --- **Additional Requirements** To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, applicants must be a **U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual under 8 U.S.C. §1324b(a)(3), or otherwise eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.** **Apply now. Join us in building the next generation of spacecraft.**