Senior Spacecraft AI&T Systems Engineer at 11th Hour… · Tucson

About the Role

We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Spacecraft Assembly, Integration & Test (AI&T) Systems Engineer to lead the integration, verification, and test campaign for a next-generation space observatory. In this role, you will collaborate with world-class scientists—including Nobel Prize laureates—as well as engineers and global partners to develop cutting-edge space observatories that enable groundbreaking astrophysical discoveries.

You will oversee the instrument, telescope, and spacecraft bus integration activities across partners, while directly owning and executing the spacecraft-level integration of the payload with the bus. You will define and execute the AI&T plan, integration flows, verification strategy, and test campaigns—ensuring the integrated observatory meets all functional, environmental, and performance requirements.

As a key technical leader, you will work across the telescope, instrument, and bus teams and their subsystems (optics, avionics, software, mechanical, thermal, GN&C, power, etc.), as well as mission operations, to ensure smooth integration and end-to-end functionality.

This role requires strong cross-functional communication, excellent technical judgment, and the ability to execute complex integration activities in fast-paced environments.

Key Responsibilities for this role include the following:

AI&T Planning & System Integration

• Define and execute the spacecraft AI&T plan, integration sequences, and verification strategy.
• Oversee the integration of the instrument, telescope, and bus at vendor facilities.
• Own and execute the spacecraft-level integration of the payload with the spacecraft bus.

Verification & Test Execution

• Develop system-level verification plans (VCD/VCM), test procedures, and pass/fail criteria.
• Lead functional, performance, environmental (TVAC, vibe, acoustic), and EMC testing.
• Coordinate flatsat testing and hardware–software integration with avionics, GN&C, and FSW teams.

Testbeds, GSE & Infrastructure

• Define requirements for testbeds, flatsats, simulators, and EGSE/MGSE.
• Ensure ground support systems and test setups meet spacecraft and payload needs.
• Manage configuration control across hardware, software loads, harnessing, and integration setups.

Interfaces, Requirements & Traceability

• Develop AI&T requirements, integration constraints, and verification methods.
• Maintain traceability across spacecraft requirements, integration steps, and test results.
• Ensure consistency across internal and external ICDs.

Vendor & Partner Coordination

• Coordinate integration activities with spacecraft bus vendors, telescope/instrument teams, and test facilities.
• Review vendor integration flows, readiness artifacts, and verification outputs.
• Support major reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, MRR, TRR, ORR).

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with systems engineering, bus, telescope, payload, and mission operations teams.
• Support anomaly investigation, root cause analysis, and corrective actions.
• Communicate risks, AI&T status, and technical findings clearly to leadership and partners.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in spacecraft AI&T, system integration, or verification.
• Experience integrating spacecraft subsystems or payloads (avionics, optics, instruments, power, GN&C).
• Familiarity with environmental testing (vibration, TVAC, EMC).
• Experience developing test plans, procedures, and integration flows.
• Strong understanding of spacecraft architectures and subsystem interfaces.
• Ability to work hands-on in cleanroom/test environments and coordinate across multiple teams.
• Excellent communication and cross-disciplinary collaboration skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• 7+ years of spacecraft AI&T or system-level verification experience.
• Experience integrating telescopes or complex scientific payloads.
• Experience with flatsats, simulators, and hardware–software integration.
• Familiarity with verification standards and best practices.
• Experience with configuration management and test automation.
• Passion for space systems and advanced scientific missions.

This is an exempt position.

This role requires access to U.S. export controlled information. Candidates must be a U.S. person (i.e. a citizen of the United States, a permanent resident, or a legal asylee or refugee) OR receive approval from the U.S. Government to work with U.S. export controlled information.