Avionics Test Engineer, Hardware

apex-technology-inc · Los Angeles

seniorfull timeunknown
Apply on apex-technology-inc’s site →

Role at a Glance

Title: Avionics Test Engineer, Hardware · Company: Apex Technology · Location: Playa Vista, Los Angeles · Salary: $110,000–$165,000/yr · Experience: 5+ years in aerospace hardware or electronics testing · ITAR: U.S. Person required · Focus: test rack ownership, avionics and RF validation, qualification campaigns, project leadership, junior mentorship.

What This Role Actually Is

Apex Technology's avionics test team is hiring a hands-on Hardware Test Engineer to take full ownership of spacecraft test infrastructure through its lifecycle. The scope spans component-level rack builds, bus-level integration, RF and avionics validation, and qualification campaigns for commercial satellite buses. Beyond individual execution, the position carries genuine project ownership—you'll lead medium-to-large avionics test campaigns from kickoff through closeout, coordinate across electrical, mechanical, and systems engineering disciplines, and provide technical mentorship to junior teammates.

About Apex Technology

Apex Technology designs and manufactures commercial satellite buses—the structural and electronic platforms that carry customer payloads to orbit. The company sits at a meaningful inflection point: as launch costs have declined and the number of payload operators has grown rapidly, demand for production-scalable spacecraft platforms has accelerated sharply. Apex addresses this through vertical integration, software-defined hardware design, and manufacturing-first engineering practices. The company has raised over $500 million to scale production and is headquartered in Playa Vista, Los Angeles. Its platforms support programs ranging from earth observation to commercial communications.

What You'll Own

  • Build, configure, and maintain bus-level and component-level avionics test racks
  • Lead hardware integration activities: harnessing, fixturing, rack assembly, and electrical/mechanical interface verification
  • Troubleshoot flight hardware and test infrastructure using lab instruments including oscilloscopes, multimeters, power supplies, DAQ systems, VNAs, and vector signal analyzers
  • Operate and support Flatsat environments as required
  • Execute and document functional checkouts, acceptance tests, environmental screening, and integrated system verification
  • Support qualification campaigns spanning EMI/EMC, vibration, thermal cycling, and TVAC
  • Perform RF and avionics validation for antennas, radios, GNSS systems, LNAs, PAs, RF switches, couplers, and power dividers
  • Conduct near-field antenna measurements, cable loss characterization, S-parameter sweeps, and insertion loss analysis
  • Support RF evaluation inside thermal vacuum chambers with awareness of corona and multipactor effects
  • Maintain test setup documentation: setup diagrams, BOMs, harnessing records, and configuration control for all test racks
  • Author and update Design Verification Plans (DVPs), test procedures, and supporting documentation
  • Lead medium-to-large avionics test projects end-to-end, from initial planning through final closeout
  • Identify schedule risks proactively and remove blockers across cross-functional campaigns
  • Coordinate with electrical, mechanical, RF, and systems engineering teams to keep integration timelines on track
  • Deliver structured milestone updates to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
  • Collaborate on design-for-test initiatives and spacecraft integration campaigns
  • Mentor junior engineers on hardware integration practices and test methodology
  • Review junior engineers' test procedures and documentation with constructive technical feedback

Must-Have Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a closely related field
  • 5 or more years of professional experience in aerospace hardware or electronics testing
  • Direct hands-on experience with laboratory instrumentation and hardware bring-up
  • Working familiarity with avionics embedded protocols: UART, SPI, CAN, and I2C
  • Demonstrated experience troubleshooting integrated electrical systems and test setups
  • Solid understanding of hardware integration and validation workflows
  • Strong communication skills and structured problem-solving ability
  • U.S. Person status required (U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident) per ITAR regulations

Preferred Qualifications

  • Prior experience integrating or testing spacecraft, launch vehicles, or flight electronics
  • Familiarity with RF communications systems and RF laboratory equipment
  • Practical background in harnessing, fixturing, environmental testing, and vibration testing
  • Knowledge of coaxial cable selection and RF interconnect characterization
  • Exposure to fast-paced aerospace production or system integration environments
  • PCB design experience or hands-on hardware prototyping
  • Background in sensor functional tests, leak checks, or avionics channelization
  • Basic Python or scripting skills for test automation support

Skills That Matter Here

At the senior level, the non-negotiables are direct flight hardware experience (five-plus years), mastery of standard lab instrumentation, and fluency in embedded protocols—UART, SPI, CAN, and I2C. RF skills are preferred rather than required, but candidates who can characterize coaxial interconnects, operate VNAs, and support TVAC RF campaigns will be notably more competitive for the upper end of the salary band. Python scripting is a plus, not a gate. Candidates from defense electronics or satellite integration backgrounds are well-positioned; those from pure firmware or software roles without hardware bench time should carefully assess the hands-on nature of this position before applying.

Salary and Total Compensation

The employer-posted base salary runs $110,000 to $165,000 per year—a $55,000 band that likely reflects differences in RF specialization depth, spacecraft integration experience, and project leadership track record. Candidates at the qualifying experience floor typically land in the lower half of the range; those with direct satellite or launch vehicle testing history, demonstrable RF lab expertise, and prior end-to-end test campaign ownership could reasonably target the upper half. Beyond base pay, full-time employees receive equity, a 401(k) with employer match (100% on the first 3% of contributions, 50% on the next 2%), and fully company-paid health coverage for employees and dependents. No additional compensation data beyond this employer-disclosed range is available.

Benefits

  • Equity stake in the company
  • 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision for the employee and all dependents; $100,000 company-paid life insurance
  • PTO starting at 15 vacation days per year, growing to 20+ days annually, plus 10 paid holidays
  • 401(k) with 100% employer match on the first 3% of contributions and 50% on the next 2%
  • 8 weeks paid parental leave; childcare reimbursement up to $350/day during work-related travel
  • Daily catered lunch and unlimited on-site snacks
  • Monthly community events including office socials, fitness groups, and family gatherings
  • Full workstation setup and productivity tools provided
  • On-site at Apex's Playa Vista, Los Angeles campus

Location and Work Setup

This role is based at Apex Technology's Playa Vista, Los Angeles campus. The work is inherently bench-based—rack build-up, hardware integration, and qualification campaigns require physical access to flight hardware, laboratory instruments, and environmental test chambers. No remote or hybrid arrangement is indicated in the job description. ITAR regulations apply: U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status is a hard requirement. Visa sponsorship is not mentioned in the job description.

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum experience required for this role?

The job description sets a hard floor of five or more years of professional experience in aerospace hardware or electronics testing. Prior spacecraft or launch vehicle testing is listed as preferred but is not a mandatory requirement.

Is this position open to visa holders or non-U.S. citizens?

No. ITAR regulations require all candidates to be U.S. Persons—either U.S. citizens or Green Card holders (lawful permanent residents). The job description does not mention visa sponsorship.

How significant is the RF component of this job?

RF work is a substantial part of day-to-day responsibilities. The role includes validating antennas, radios, GNSS systems, LNAs, PAs, and passive RF components, plus near-field antenna measurements, S-parameter sweeps, and RF evaluation in thermal vacuum environments. RF lab experience is listed as preferred rather than required, but candidates with that background will be more competitive.

Is any remote or hybrid work arrangement available?

Remote or hybrid work is not mentioned in the job description. Given the hands-on nature of the role—building and operating test racks, working with flight hardware, and running thermal vacuum campaigns—the position implies full on-site work at the Playa Vista, Los Angeles campus.

Is Python programming a hard requirement?

No. Python or general scripting experience is listed as a preferred qualification to support test automation, not a mandatory gate. The role is primarily hardware-focused; coding skills are a differentiator, not a prerequisite.

Are you a fit for this role?

See how your background matches Avionics Test Engineer, Hardware — and the 20 live jobs that fit you best. No signup, no email, nothing stored.