Hardware Test Engineering Manager, Kepler

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field
• 5+ years of experience in hardware testing, design validation, production test, or related engineering work, including experience leading engineers, technical projects, team leads, and other managers
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage a hardware team through product delivery, schedule commitments, quality expectations, dependency management, and cross-functional escalations
• Demonstrates a willingness to adopt and effectively utilize AI-assisted engineering tools, applying sound judgment to improve productivity, quality, and innovation while continuously adapting to evolving technologies
• Technical depth in lab and production test methods, including oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, multimeters, and automated test systems
• Experience developing test strategies, plans, cases, fixtures, scripts, reports, dashboards, and well documented processes for products and subassemblies
• Experience with at least one scripting or programming language, such as Python, MATLAB, Bash, or C/C++, and the ability to guide scalable automation and data-driven test infrastructure
• Experience with git or other codebase versioning and management tools
• Strong communication skills with the ability to connect technical decisions to program and business outcomes, align expectations across teams, and communicate risks and priorities clearly
• Ability to coach engineers, build ownership, support performance and development conversations, and create an inclusive, accountable team environment
• Familiarity with networking fundamentals such as SSH, authentication, secure access, and basic connectivity troubleshooting

Desirable

• We are seeking a Manager, Hardware Test Engineering to lead the hardware test engineering function at Kepler, supporting the development and delivery of next-generation space hardware
• Hardware Test Engineering supports multiple concurrent efforts across integrated product teams (IPTs) and program teams
• The Hardware Test Engineering team actively collaborates with Project Managers, Supply Chain, Electrical, RF, Mechanical, and Embedded Systems Engineering
• We invest heavily to deliver reliable space hardware at scale
• We are looking for a Hardware Test Engineering Manager to lead and grow the team responsible for producing objective evidence that Kepler hardware can survive manufacturing, launch, operation, and mission life with quantified confidence
• This role is accountable for building the people, processes, test infrastructure, and cross-functional operation that turn hardware validation, verification, reliability, and test data into a strategic capability for Kepler
• This is a manager-level role with strong technical scope
• The successful candidate will lead what is currently an electronics-focused Hardware Test team, while building the foundation for a broader organization spanning electronics test, mechanical and environmental test, test automation, and data systems
• The role balances execution of current programs with investment in scalable systems that reduce technical risk, improve throughput, and support future portfolio growth
• Lead a hardware test engineering team delivering defined hardware test subsystems, validation infrastructure, test procedures, fixtures, automation, dashboards, and evidence packages across active programs
• Oversee execution with moderate to high technical complexity, including prototype bring-up, design validation, qualification and acceptance testing, production test strategy, and reliability test campaigns
• Maintain sufficient technical depth to guide sound decisions, coach engineers through difficult issues, and intervene when critical execution risks require support
• Build cross-functional alignment with systems, electrical, RF, firmware, mechanical, manufacturing, program, supply chain, and quality teams so test requirements, interfaces, decision criteria, and evidence expectations are clear early in the lifecycle
• Provide design-for-test and validation & verification input during architecture and design reviews to inform decisions through objective evidence and downstream operational risk
• Help shape and execute the Hardware Test capability roadmap, including expanded mechanical/environmental test, automation, test data capabilities, lab equipment, automated test systems, MGSE, and facilities required to support long-term scale
• Develop scalable test processes and systems that enable an accelerating satellite production and supports growing program complexity, including standardization of test methods, fixtures, data capture, evidence reviews, and escalation paths
• Own research and development for advanced methods for accelerated validation, including topics in automation and artificial intelligence
• Partner with program and business development teams to evaluate upcoming work, estimate test scope, identify resource and facility constraints, and shape plans that balance reliability, schedule, cost, and throughput
• Set clear expectations, coach, develop, and performance-manage engineers; build a culture of ownership, technical rigor, healthy collaboration, clear communication, and continuous improvement