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Senior Test Engineer - Systems (Contract)

AIRBUS U.S. Space & Defense, Inc.
Herndon, VA Full Time
POSTED ON 11/27/2025 CLOSED ON 12/29/2025

What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Test Engineer - Systems (Contract) position at AIRBUS U.S. Space & Defense, Inc.?

This position offers FULLY REMOTE opportunities for candidates across the United States. Preferred locations: Arlington VA, Denver CO or Merritt Island FL.

Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, Inc offers advanced solutions to meet the most complex U.S. defense, security, space, and intelligence requirements. Celebrating over 50 years in the US, we remain a trusted government partner, leveraging world-class satellite, laser communication, rotor and fixed wing solutions to help our national security, defense and space focused customers meet their missions.

Airbus U.S. looks to employ a commitment driven team, dedicated to enabling our customer's mission success. We are committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive work environment and a welcoming and engaging staff. With competitive compensation and superior employee benefits, as well as a commitment to fostering individual career growth, Airbus U.S. is the place where top talent wants to work.


Position Summary:

Airbus U.S. is looking for an enthusiastic and creative Senior Systems I&T engineer to develop solutions for satellite integration and test. We're looking for candidates who can bring exceptional engineering skills and strong experience in aerospace programs to the team.


Position Responsibilities:

The Sr. Systems Test Engineer's primary responsibility will be contributing to the development of Airbus U.S.'s satellite production line, HWIL/SWILs, and simulators. This engineer will be involved in the full lifecycle of development, from requirements definition through operations. Being at the cutting edge of space technology, we need someone who is eager to learn, grow, and take on new and potentially unfamiliar challenges. There is no shortage of fascinating problems to solve.

The Sr. Systems Test Engineer will plan and execute moderate and complex assignments, under the leadership of the Systems Engineering Manager and other senior I&T Engineers.

Integration and Test 75%

  • Plan and Prepare various Integration, and Test activities pertaining to the Airbus U.S. satellite platforms, including ARROW platform, to meet customer requirements:
    • Create test plans and procedures at all levels of assembly: unit, module, subsystem, platform, and satellite. Includes planning for functional performance testing and environmental compatibility
    • Manage requirements verification activities in the I&T phase to ensure that planned operations are traceable to parent requirements
    • Develop and interact with the Flatsats and other I&T means to test functionality and performance
    • Develop test sequences that demonstrate compliance with various interface specifications at both the subsystem and satellite, and systems level
    • Assure customer flowed-down requirements are met through the I&T phase, including handling, transportation, contamination control, storage, and integration into next using assemblies
  • Support the development of subsystem level requirements and requirement flow-down to the various components and parts as necessary - in all phases of the development lifecycle with particular emphasis on Design for Cost/Design for Manufacturability/Design for Test approaches
  • Ensure the reuse of the existing Airbus heritage products and if necessary identify need for modification
  • Ability to drive multiple design activities (programs or mission) - could lead to spacecraft, payload, satellite bus, and/or launch integration activities;
  • Demonstrated ability to participate in cross-functional planning, coordination, and task execution situations involving the full spectrum of engineering and integration activities

Roadmap Development 15%

  • Support Airbus spacecraft development product roadmap: includes design adjustments, schedule, and cost targets aligned for future business captures.
  • Support the definition of spacecraft customization process for customer mission needs.

Additional Responsibilities 10%

  • Perform all the necessary system engineering activities to build, to maintain and to evolve the Airbus spacecraft products.
  • Promote and optimize cost savings by reuse of the heritage platform designs and manufacturing infrastructures in the pursuit of various constellation prospects.

Qualified Experience / Skills / Training:

Education:

  • Bachelor's degree in STEM (Science, Technical, Engineering, Math) or related scientific areas.
  • Preferred: Master's in STEM (Science, Technical, Engineering, Math) or related scientific areas.

Experience:

  • A minimum of 8 years with a Bachelor's degree, or 6 years with a Master's degree
  • Preferred: Proven track-record of working with aerospace hardware and/or software systems, starting from conceptual designs and tradeoffs thru detailed design, development, manufacture, integration, test, deployment, and operations.

Knowledge, Skills, Demonstrated Capabilities:

  • Proficiency with various I&T engineering tools and processes
  • Familiarity with spacecraft qualification and acceptance testing
  • Familiarity with elements of space mission architectures extending beyond the satellite platform - including launch, flight operations, mission CONOPS, user interfaces, etc.
  • Communicate in a clear and concise manner effectively across multiple levels.
  • Be team-minded and ready to work in a multi-functional and multi-cultural, fast-moving and complex/technical environment.
  • Flexible attitude and strong initiative.
  • Demonstrated ability to deliver results.

Travel Required:

  • If based in Merritt Island, Florida: periodic travel (less than 20%) to US Airbus facilities or partner companies
  • If not based in Merritt Island, Florida: significant travel to Merritt Island, FL (up to 50% during I&T activities)
  • Occasional International travel to collaborate with European Airbus counterparts

Eligibility:

  • US Citizenship is required

Clearance:

  • Not Required
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a Government security clearance preferred

Physical Requirements:

  • Vision: able to see and read computer screen and other electronic equipment with screens, able to read documents.
  • Hearing: able to hear to participate in conversations in person and via teleconference or phone and to hear sounds including safety warnings or alarms.
  • Equipment Operation (personal computer, telephone, copies, fax machine, and related office equipment and using electronic identification card to enter building floors and internal doors): able to operate most office and personal electronic equipment.
  • Carrying: able to carry documents, electronic equipment and/or supplies up to 40lbs/9kg.
  • Lifting: able to lift documents, electronic equipment and/or supplies up to 40lbs/9kg.
  • Sitting: able to sit for long periods of time in meetings, working on computer.
  • Squatting / Kneeling: able to occasionally squat or kneel to retrieve or replace items shelved on bottom shelves.
  • Standing: able to stand for long periods of time.
  • Walking: able to walk through office and outside areas including uneven surfaces.

Equal Employment Opportunity: Airbus provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status, or other legally protected status. In addition to federal law requirements, Airbus complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, demotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, benefits, and training. Airbus expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status or other legally protected status.

As a matter of policy, Airbus does not sponsor visas for US positions unless specified. Only applicants with current work authorization will be considered. Airbus does not offer tenured or guaranteed employment. Employment with Airbus is at will, meaning either the company or the employee can terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, with or without notice. Airbus reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This position description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

By submitting your resume or application you are consenting to Airbus using and storing information about you for monitoring purposes relating to your application or future employment. This information will only be used by Airbus. Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or religious belief.

Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all. As such, we will never ask for any type of monetary exchange in the frame of a recruitment process. Any impersonation of Airbus to do so should be reported to HR@airbusus.com.

Company Website: www.airbusus.com


Airbus Defense and Space, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, political affiliation or belief.

 

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