Manager, Test Systems
- Pay
- $160,000 – $190,000 per year
- Location
- Irvine, CA · On-site
- Job type
- Full-time
- Level
- Lead / Staff
- Experience
- 8+ years
- Education
- Bachelor's degree
- Listed
- 23 days ago
Skills & highlights for this role
- U.S. citizenship
- DoD security clearance
- spacecraft system test
- automated test systems
- thermal vacuum testing
- vibration testing
- aerospace military test standards
Also useful
- LabVIEW
- TestStand
- Python
Stated benefits & perks
- Health
- Dental
- Vision
- 401k match
- Flexible time off
About the role
Join a team where your impact reaches beyond the stars! At Terran Orbital, you're not just part of the system - you're a vital force propelling our mission forward. As trailblazers in satellite manufacturing and aerospace innovation, we shatter boundaries daily to deliver groundbreaking solutions that power our nation's defense and commercial missions.
We are a unique, fast growing, and trusted team dedicated to swiftly and efficiently designing, building, launching, and operating state of the art satellites for advanced mission constellations. If you're driven by purpose, inspired by challenges, and ready to leave your mark on the universe, you'll find a home and endless opportunities for growth here. Together, let's redefine what is possible in orbit and beyond!
Terran Orbital is seeking an experienced Manager, Test Systems to join our dynamic team. Reporting to the Director, Systems Integration & Test the Manager, Test Systems will lead a focused test engineering team responsible for spacecraft module, subsystem, and full-vehicle testing. This leader will oversee test systems development, automated test tools, environmental test readiness, and high-volume production test execution.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Lead and manage a dedicated test engineering team supporting spacecraft module, avionics, subsystem, and full-vehicle test campaigns.
- Develop and maintain test flows, test plans, and automated test procedures to support production and program requirements.
- Oversee test system infrastructure, including test software, automation frameworks, test racks, electrical and mechanical GSE, calibration, and configuration control.
- Partner with integration and build leadership to ensure smooth handoff from assembly to test and alignment of vehicle-level test objectives.
- Support scalable, high-volume manufacturing through automation, improved test efficiency, and design-for-testability input.
- Ensure readiness and execution of environmental testing such as thermal, vibration, and thermal vacuum, including operation in cleanroom environments.
- Define test standards, best practices, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Prepare and deliver executive-level progress summaries, test metrics, and risk/opportunity reporting.
- Contribute to program scheduling, resource planning, proposal estimates, and Earned Value Management inputs.
- Coordinate with cross-functional teams, external customers, and vendors regarding test requirements, reviews, and compliance with industry, DoD, and military test standards.
- Support occasional off-site testing and travel as needed.
Required Qualifications and Skills
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering
- 8+ years of relevant professional experience, including leading technical test teams.
- Experience with spacecraft system test, including electrical power systems, RF subsystems, sensors, actuators, and avionics.
- Strong knowledge of automated test systems, test software, test racks, and electrical/mechanical GSE.
- Familiarity with environmental test processes (thermal, vibration, TVAC) and aerospace/military test standards.
- Ability to analyze and present technical data clearly; experience supporting schedules, estimates, and EVM activities.
- Strong leadership, communication, and team development skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced production environment; strong organization and prioritization.
- Proficiency with MS Office tools and professional communication (written and verbal).
- U.S. Citizenship with ability to obtain and maintain DoD security clearance.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in test automation using National Instruments Labview / TestStand software and/or Python scripts.
Pay and benefits
Your actual level and base salary will be determined case-by-case and may vary based on the job-related qualification, knowledge, skills, education, and experience. In addition to base salary, we offer 100% covered medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(k) match, Flexible Time Off (FTO), covered life insurance, maternity and paternity leave, tuition reimbursement, employee referrals, and lots of swag!
Benefits
- 100% Company-paid comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents
- 401(k) Match
- Flexible Time Off (FTO)
- Education Reimbursement
- Competitive Paid Parental Leave
Physical Demands
- An employee must meet the physical demands described to perform the essential functions of this job successfully.
- In performing the duties of this job, the employee is routinely required to sit or stand for long durations of time, in addition to bending, reaching, and walking.
- This would require the ability to lift or move objects up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift or move objects up to 25 pounds.
- This position is generally sedentary, with substantial computer usage.
Work Environment
The job operates in a professional office environment but in a manufacturing company. This job routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and scanners.
About Terran Orbital
Terran Orbital is a leading manufacturer of satellite products primarily serving the aerospace and defense industries. Terran Orbital provides end-to-end satellite solutions by combining satellite design, production, launch planning, mission operations, and on-orbit support to meet the needs of the most demanding military, civil, and commercial customers.
Equal opportunity and legal notices
To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, the applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. In addition, please note that this position may require a current United States National Security clearance or eligibility for such a clearance.
Terran Orbital is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We consider applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or membership in any other group protected by federal, state, or local law.
Terran Orbital does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or staffing firms. To conduct business with Terran Orbital, a Master Services Agreement (MSA) must be executed and confirmed prior to submitting any information relating to a potential candidate. Without a signed MSA, Terran Orbital shall not be responsible to any individual or entity for any payment relating to any form of fee or compensation.
And, in the event that a resume or candidate is submitted by a recruiter, an employment agency, or a staffing firm without a fully executed MSA, Terran Orbital has the unrestricted right to pursue and hire any of those candidate(s) without any legal or financial responsibility to the recruiter, agency, and/or firm.
From Terran Orbital's careers page, first listed on Rolev.ai on October 17, 2026. Rolev.ai is not the employer.
How Rolev.ai helps with this application
Rolev.ai is a job search and application tool for US job seekers. For this Manager, Test Systems role at Terran Orbital, it shows how your resume fits, tailors your resume to the posting, and prepares the application for you to review.
See how you fit
Openings from employer career sites are ranked against your whole resume—and searchable inside Claude, ChatGPT, and Cursor via Rolev.ai MCP.
Tailor without inventing
Every change to your resume is checked against your original. New experience goes in only with your yes—zero fabricated claims.
Draft the full kit
Tailored and Full Match resumes, role-specific cover letters, and answers to employer screening questions are prepared in seconds.
1-Click Extension Autofill
The Chrome extension fills the employer's Greenhouse, Workday, Lever, or Ashby form in 1 click. You review it and press Submit.
Common questions
What is the salary for the Manager, Test Systems role at Terran Orbital?
The Manager, Test Systems posting at Terran Orbital states compensation of $160,000 – $190,000 per year. It is listed as a full-time position. Final pay may depend on location, experience, and interview evaluation on Terran Orbital's official career site.
Where is the Manager, Test Systems job at Terran Orbital located?
This Manager, Test Systems position at Terran Orbital is located in Irvine, CA (On-site). Always check Terran Orbital's application page for specific state eligibility or relocation policies.
What qualifications are required for Manager, Test Systems at Terran Orbital?
For the Manager, Test Systems role, Terran Orbital highlights 8+ years of relevant experience; a bachelor's degree; experience with spacecraft system test, automated test systems, thermal vacuum testing, vibration testing, aerospace military test standards. Rolev.ai can score your existing resume against these requirements and show any skill gaps before you apply.
How do I apply for the Manager, Test Systems position at Terran Orbital?
This listing links directly to Terran Orbital's Greenhouse application page. You can apply directly on Terran Orbital's site, or use Rolev.ai to check your resume fit, generate a zero-hallucination tailored resume and cover letter for this posting, and autofill the Greenhouse application form in 1 click with the Rolev.ai Chrome extension. You always review the form and press Submit yourself.