Environmental Test Engineer III (Clearance Required)

About this role

Sierra Space Careers: At Sierra Space, we build the missions and systems that keep our world secure in the domain above Earth.     Sierra Space team members share a spirit of innovation and collaboration and a belief that we can deliver on the boldest missions in space today. Together with our customers, we aim to safeguard our nation, sustain human presence in space, and secure the freedom of operations in low Earth orbit and beyond.  

Our success is measured by the trust of those who rely on what we build and deliver, and our technologies keep the United States and its allies mission-ready throughout space.

We are mission-driven, and together, we are an extraordinary team.

About the Role As an Environmental Test Engineer III at Sierra Space, you will leverage your extensive experience and general expertise in specific areas of test engineering to lead and contribute to advanced testing and validation of aerospace systems and components, including satellites and spacecraft. You will play a key role in planning and executing environmental test campaigns — including shock, vibration, thermal, and thermal vacuum (TVAC) testing — to verify that flight hardware and subsystems can survive the launch and on-orbit space environment. You will work under general direction to independently develop approaches to solve technical problems and provide guidance to less experienced engineers. Representing Test Engineering, you will play a critical role in requirements management, system design, and the execution of Verification and Validation (V&V) activities. About You Our mission is driven by an unyielding commitment to advancing space-based technology in service of our customers and safeguarding national security. We seek individuals who are passionate about innovating beyond boundaries and relentlessly pursuing solutions that protect, preserve and empower – to join us in this critical mission.  

We’re looking for team members who align with our values, mission and goals – while also meeting the minimum qualifications below. The preferred qualifications are a bonus, not a requirement.

Key Responsibilities: • Lead and execute complex and professional test plans, test procedures, and test reports to demonstrate compliance with system requirements. • Plan, set up, and execute environmental test campaigns for satellites, spacecraft, and space hardware, including: • Shock testing to verify hardware survives pyrotechnic events, separation shocks, and other transient high-frequency loads. • Vibration testing (sine, random, and sine burst) to simulate launch vehicle acoustic and dynamic loads and verify structural integrity and workmanship. • Thermal testing to verify performance and survival across qualification and acceptance temperature ranges representative of mission environments. • Thermal vacuum (TVAC) testing to verify functional performance, outgassing, and thermal balance/thermal cycling under vacuum conditions representative of the space environment.

• Apply expertise in specific areas of test engineering principles and practices, such as dynamics, thermal, measurement, HSI, software testing, and integration, to solve broad technical problems. • Develop and review environmental test plans, procedures, and success criteria in accordance with program requirements and industry/customer standards (e.g., NASA GEVS, MIL-STD-1540, MIL-STD-810). • Coordinate with facilities and test operations teams to schedule and configure shaker tables, shock test fixtures, thermal chambers, and thermal vacuum chambers, including instrumentation and data acquisition setup (accelerometers, thermocouples, strain gauges). • Monitor test articles during shock, vibration, thermal, and TVAC testing to detect anomalies, halt testing when necessary, and support root-cause investigation of test failures or anomalies. • Work effectively in multi-disciplinary design and development teams, providing guidance and direction to less experienced engineers while independently determining and developing approaches to testing solutions under general direction. • Represent Test Engineering in requirements management, system design, and systems integration, ensuring effective system performance and validation. • Represent Test Engineering in the planning, conducting, and documenting of Verification and Validation (V&V) activities, including environmental qualification and acceptance test campaigns. • Handle the generation and disposition of test-related product non-conformances while adhering to quality assurance principles. • Read and interpret schematics, use service manuals, follow test procedures, and apply logical troubleshooting techniques to resolve complex testing issues. • Utilize various testing equipment, standards, and methodologies — including vibration/shock test systems, thermal and thermal vacuum chambers, and associated data acquisition systems — to support validation efforts and ensure the quality of aerospace systems and components. • Prepare and document detailed technical data, test reports, and analyses (including test data correlation to analytical predictions) to support engineering initiatives and project decision-making. • Communicate technical concepts and information clearly to team members, senior engineers, and stakeholders to ensure effective collaboration and successful project outcomes.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Requires Bachelor's degree in a related field (or equivalent work experience in lieu of degree or Masters +3 yrs experience). • Typically 5+ years of related experience. • The ability to obtain and   maintain   a   Top Secret   U.S. Security Clearance is   required. • General expertise in one area of test engineering principles and practices (dynamics, thermal, measurement, HSI, SW Test, Integration, etc.). • Ability to effectively work in multi-disciplinary design and development teams. • Experience with requirements management, system design, and systems integration. • Experience planning,

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