Senior Test Engineer, Thermal Control Systems

Responsibilities:

• Own and drive the full lifecycle of assigned thermal control system test campaigns of moderate complexity — from CONOP and test plan development through GSE design, build, instrumentation, execution, data analysis, and closeout — supporting near-term and long-term space habitat missions
• Perform hands-on assembly, integration, instrumentation, and testing of thermal and fluid systems (tubing, heat exchangers, cold plates, pumps, valves, heaters, MLI), ensuring compliance with engineering specifications, safety protocols, and industry standards
• Develop and maintain detailed test plans, procedures, work instructions, and manufacturing plans, and uphold rigorous test traceability across design, planning, execution, and post-processed data to ensure alignment with subsystem requirements and program milestones
• Collaborate cross-functionally with thermal design, analysis, systems, integration, and manufacturing teams — and support suppliers — to inform manufacturability, assembly, and testability of thermal hardware and ensure timely delivery of quality components
• Investigate and resolve complex technical issues through root cause analysis, coordinating with technicians, engineers, and suppliers to implement lasting corrective actions
• Provide technical input in design and test reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR, etc.) and contribute to continuous improvement efforts that boost test efficiency, manufacturing yield, and data quality
• Serve as a reliable technical contributor and informal mentor to junior engineers, while helping shape best practices and standardization within the test engineering team
• Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related engineering discipline, with 5+ years of experience across thermal systems, fluid systems, manufacturing engineering, and/or test engineering in aerospace or similarly demanding environments
• Strong foundation in fluid systems — including fluid mechanics, system design, P&IDs, test instrumentation and fittings, safety protocols, and troubleshooting methodologies — along with hands-on experience testing and troubleshooting fluid, mechanical, and electromechanical components and performing root-cause analysis of failures
• Demonstrated experience owning and executing test campaigns end-to-end, from objective definition and CONOP development through GSE design, build, instrumentation, test execution, and data analysis, including contributing to test automation and data review tools