Senior Test Engineer

Senior Environmental Test Engineer role at Rocket EMS in Santa Clara, CA (onsite), with a salary range of USD 130,000 - 140,000 per year, focusing on planning, executing TVAC, thermal cycling, and vibration/shock tests for space product subsystems in accordance with NASA, MIL-STD, and ECSS standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, execution, and documentation of thermal vacuum (TVAC), thermal cycling, and vibration/shock tests for space product subsystems.
• Develop and refine test procedures that meet customer requirements and industry standards (NASA, MIL-STD, ECSS).
• Operate and oversee environmental test facilities, including vibration tables, thermal chambers, and data acquisition systems.
• Analyze test data to identify trends, anomalies, and root causes, providing actionable recommendations to engineering teams.
• Collaborate closely with design, manufacturing, and quality teams to ensure test readiness and quick issue resolution.
• Support test readiness reviews, customer audits, and final test reports for flight hardware.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace, or related engineering field.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience in environmental testing, with a focus on thermal and vibration testing.
• Proficiency with test control and data acquisition systems (eg, LMS, NI LabVIEW, Crystal Instruments).
• Strong knowledge of environmental test standards (NASA GEVS, MIL-STD-1540, ECSS-Q-ST).
• Proven ability to troubleshoot test setups, instrumentation, and facility equipment under tight schedules.
• Excellent communication skills for interfacing with multidisciplinary teams and customers.
• A meticulous, detail-oriented mindset—because in spaceflight, precision is everything.

Technologies

• LMS
• NI LabVIEW
• Crystal Instruments

Benefits

• Real flight hardware work
• Access to state-of-the-art environmental test facilities and tools
• Competitive salary and comprehensive health benefits, and 401(k) with company match
• Be part of a team where your work directly contributes to groundbreaking space missions

Our Mission

We build and test spacecraft for companies pushing the boundaries of human knowledge and exploration, delivering reliable, high-performance space systems that operate in extreme environments.

The Impact You’ll Make

As a Senior Environmental Test Engineer, you will be the guardian of mission readiness. Your expertise in thermal and vibration testing ensures our customers' products survive launch and the harsh conditions of space, validating that every component meets the highest standards from concept through launch.

Why You’ll Love It Here

• Work on real flight hardware destined for orbit and beyond
• Access to state-of-the-art environmental test facilities and tools
• Competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, and 401(k) with company match
• Be part of a team where your work directly contributes to groundbreaking space missions