Engineer III, Systems Integration & Test at Iridium in Reston, VA

Company Overview

Iridium is an award-winning and innovative satellite communications company with bragging rights to the only network that offers voice and data connectivity anywhere in the world. For over 20 years, Iridium’s unique network and services have supported critical communications needs for individuals, businesses, and the evolving Internet of Things.

At Iridium, we understand the importance of staying connected and the limitations of traditional communications networks. People across the globe, including first responders, humanitarians, global militaries, scientific researchers, and lone workers, as well as ships, aircraft and remote operations all rely on Iridium to stay connected. We take our responsibility for providing these essential communications very seriously and pride ourselves on offering a reliable lifeline when needed. Likewise, Iridium is committed to providing an exciting and innovative workplace, where employees are challenged to think outside the box and collaborate on new, bold ideas and solutions. Our talented teams are passionate about their work and the impact our company makes around the world. Iridium fosters an empowering and inclusive culture that allows employees to genuinely be their best selves. We are looking for others who want to join this truly unique company that celebrates our employees and provides the opportunity to truly make a difference in the world.

What We’re Looking For:

If you enjoy learning about and working with breakthrough technologies, we want to hear from you! We are seeking a Test Engineer III to join our Iridium Space Development Agency (SDA) System Engineering Integration and Test team. As a Test Engineer III, you will independently support automated testing and integration activities for satellite ground systems. In this role, you will focus primarily on developing and maintaining automated test capabilities, supporting system integration efforts, and helping improve the quality and performance of ground software systems. You will thrive in this role if you are technically curious, collaborative, detail-oriented, and motivated to work on complex space systems.

This position requires an active/current Secret Security Clearance or the ability to obtain a Secret Security Clearance (A U.S. Security Clearance that has been active in the past 24 months is considered active).  

What You’ll Do:

• Work independently to develop and maintain automated test scripts supporting satellite ground system integration and test environments
• Design, implement, and execute test cases based on system requirements, use cases, and operational scenarios
• Support enhancements to automated test frameworks to improve test coverage, efficiency, and repeatability
• Execute integration and test activities to validate system functionality, performance, and interoperability
• Assist with development and maintenance of ground software capabilities by troubleshooting defects and implementing approved improvements
• Analyze system behavior and test results to identify issues, document findings, and support root cause investigations
• Collaborate with software developers, systems engineers, and cross-functional teams to support integration and testing objectives
• Recommend improvements to test automation processes, system performance, and testing methodologies based on operational experience
• Support implementation and testing of modern technologies, including cloud-based solutions and microservice architectures
• Follow established processes for configuration management, change control, risk management, and software deployment activities

What You’ll Need to Succeed:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science or related field
• 5+ years’ experience in system engineering, software development, integration, or test environments
• Strong troubleshooting skills supporting integration and test activities in Linux-based environments
• Ability to learn, work with, and become proficient in numerous Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) products and tools
• Working knowledge of systems engineering methodologies and Agile development processes.
• Familiarity with tools and applications supporting System Engineering, Integration, Verification, and Validation activities
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to confidently present products, deliverables, analyses, and/or issues
• Possess an analytical mindset, with the ability to understand a situation or problem and think critically to make decisions or come up with solutions
• Be comfortable managing upward, including being a proactive communicator and asking for help when needed
• Have confidence and be able to establish valuable relationships with others
• Must be able to prioritize key tasks and have a strong sense of ownership over your work
• Be active in seeking out ways to continuously improve yourself and gain new knowledge

Things That Would be Great if You Brought to the Table:

• Knowledge and experience with designing, developing, and operating Space Vehicle Subsystems
• Knowledge and experience with Command and Control Systems (e.g., OS Comet, InControl, or similar platforms)
• Familiarity with Hardware and Software Development Life Cycle processes.
• Experience with programming languages such as Java, JavaScript, Python, or Shell scripting
• Working knowledge of networking protocols, routers, switches, and related technologies
• Familiarity with Atlassian tools including JIRA, R4J, and Confluence

We’ll also need you to:

• Be able to work in the office at least 3 days a week to foster collaboration with the team and stakeholders
• Be able to travel up to 10%
• Be a US Citizen

Work Environment:

This position primarily works in an office setting and is largely sedentary with the majority of the position working with a computer. The role typically requires the use of basic office equipment such as a phone, video, computer, keyboard, mouse, and printer.

We believe in-person connection drives innovation, strengthens mentorship, and builds culture, while flexibility enables employees to do their best work. Under Iridium’s Hybrid Work Policy, employees are expected to work at least three days per week (approximately 60%) in an Iridium office to support collaboration, relationship-building, and professional growth.

Additional Information

This job description outlines the general nature and level of work for this role and is not a comprehensive list of duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Employees may be assigned additional responsibilities as needed.

Iridium is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.