Senior Manager of Development Test Engineering, Capella Space
$173.7-230.1k
+ Stock option grants
More information about location
Earth observation satellites & intelligence
Job no longer available
Earth observation satellites & intelligence
201-500 employees
Job no longer available
$173.7-230.1k
+ Stock option grants
More information about location
201-500 employees
Company mission
To enable a richer understanding of our planet through the power of SAR technology.
Role
Who you are
- Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
- Experience
- 10+ years of experience testing complex high-reliability systems, such as aircraft, spacecraft, automotive, military or medical systems, including 5+ years in a leadership or management role
- Hands-on experience with a wide range of complex test equipment and tools (e.g., vibration testing systems, thermal/TVAC chambers, spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, etc)
- Experience with test automation and the use of software tools for data acquisition and analysis
- Skills
- Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to drive results in a cross-functional environment
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to interact with executives, customers, and team members
- First-principles approach to problem solving and debugging of complex systems
- Proficiency in data analysis, reporting tools, and software used in aerospace testing
- Knowledge of risk management and failure analysis techniques
- Desirable Attributes
- Experience implementing and tailoring testing to space standards such as SMC-S-016, GSFC-STD-7000, AFSPCMAN 91-710, etc
- Experience in software testing for embedded systems and avionics
- Familiarity with digital and analog electronics, embedded systems, and control systems
- To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Capella Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident, lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable.
What the job involves
- We are seeking a highly experienced and dynamic Senior Manager for our Development Test Engineering team to lead and oversee our satellite development testing
- The Design Verification Engineering team is responsible for the verification and validation of requirements for our next generation components, subsystems and satellites
- Team Leadership & Management
- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of test engineers in the design, execution, and evaluation of test programs for aerospace systems
- Define performance objectives, monitor team progress, and conduct performance reviews
- Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the design verification engineering team
- Test Strategy, Architecture, & Planning
- Develop our approach and architect our design verification and qualification testing infrastructure
- Develop and implement comprehensive test strategies to ensure product safety, quality, and compliance with industry standards
- Oversee the creation and execution of test plans, test cases, and test reports for both hardware and software systems
- Ensure test activities align with project timelines, performance metrics, and quality requirements
- Test Execution & Oversight
- Lead the execution of complex testing processes, including environmental, structural, and flight testing, to validate system performance
- Ensure adherence to industry standards and regulatory requirements
- Analyze test data and oversee the identification and resolution of test failures or discrepancies
- Ensure detailed documentation of all test procedures, results, and compliance records
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Collaborate with engineering teams, including design, systems, and manufacturing, to define test requirements and refine product specifications
- Provide technical guidance and act as the key point of contact for all test-related issues throughout the development lifecycle
- Coordinate with key stakeholders to develop our acceptance testing approach and transition to production
- Continuous Improvement
- Drive continuous improvement in testing processes, methodologies, and tools
- Implement best practices for risk management, failure analysis, and reliability testing
Our take
Earth observation, in the form of satellite imagery, is in high demand. With climate change, supply chain, and defense operations all requiring high-quality observation data, the race is on to provide the clearest, most timely images - and Capella Space is one private company leading the charge.
Capella Space commands a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) constellation in low-earth orbit that clients can use to access real-time visibility of facts on the ground. As the first US company to do this, it's won a leading slate of customers that include the US National Reconnaissance Office, the US Air Force, Geospatial and RSI.
As the urgency of addressing global issues increases, the demand for Capella Space’s services is almost certain to rise. This puts the company in a great position, having already established itself as a key player in the market. In 2025, Capella Space was acquired by IonQ, which will be integrating Capella’s satellite infrastructure with its quantum technology to create a space-based QKD network.
Freddie
Company Specialist at Welcome to the Jungle
Insights
11% employee growth in 12 months
Company
Funding (last 2 of 6 rounds)
Jan 2023
$60m
GROWTH EQUITY VC
Apr 2022
$97m
SERIES C
Total funding: $234m
Company benefits
- Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Parental leave program
- Flexible Paid Time Off policy
- Commuter and parking benefits
- Mental health resources
- Monthly phone stipend
- 401K Plan
- Dog-friendly work environment & pet insurance options
Company HQ
Mission District, San Francisco, CA
Leadership
Frank Backes
(CEO)President at IonQ as well as President, Founder and Director at Space ISAC. Formerly Senior Business Consultant at Modern Technology Solutions and SVP of Kratos Space Federal at Kratos Defense and Security Solutions.
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