Senior Test Engineer (Avionics)

About the role

Advanced Reentry Technologies

Position Overview

As a Senior Avionics Test Engineer at Inversion you will own the electrical validation, functional testing, and environmental verification of the entire Arc avionics suite. You will bridge the gap between design and flight readiness, developing bench tests, configuring complex Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) environments, and design-to-build electrical ground support equipment (GSE). Operating with high autonomy, you will define verification methodologies, lead debug efforts for hardware-to-software interfaces, and ensure the vehicle electronics function flawlessly under simulated flight conditions.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the design, build, and operational execution of Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testbeds and bench-level automated test setups for the Arc vehicle.
• Develop and release vehicle-level avionics functional test plans, verification procedures, and automated test scripts to validate electrical power, computers, and RF subsystems.
• Design and manufacture electrical Ground Support Equipment (GSE), breakout boxes, and custom test cables required for vehicle checkout.
• Perform system-level electrical integration testing, signal mapping, and bus health analysis for communication networks (CAN, Ethernet, Serial, SPI, I2C).
• Analyze avionics telemetry and sensor data during execution of simulated flight profiles to ensure hardware conforms to technical performance margins.
• Lead the investigation and troubleshooting of electrical failures, telemetry drops, and hardware-software anomalies discovered during test campaigns.
• Define environmental qualification test plans (thermal vacuum, vibration, shock, EMI/EMC) specifically tailored for avionics flight hardware.
• Mentor junior test engineers, standardizing data-driven analysis techniques and automated test suite architectures.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent technical experience.
• Typically 5+ years of hands-on experience testing and validating high-reliability avionics, complex electrical subsystems, or embedded systems.
• Strong proficiency in Python or equivalent programming languages for test automation, hardware scripting, and data analysis.
• Direct experience configuring and utilizing standard laboratory diagnostic equipment (oscilloscopes, digital multimeters, spectrum analyzers, and logic analyzers).
• Experience building or operating automated test environments, HIL test beds, or telemetry systems.
• Deep technical understanding of analog/digital signal path debugging and serial communication protocols.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government Secret/Top Secret security clearance.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience qualifying avionics hardware to military or aerospace environmental standards, including TCYC, TVAC, shock, and vibe qualification campaigns.
• Familiarity with RF telemetry, high-voltage battery systems, and pyrotechnic trigger systems.
• Experience with aerospace safety-critical systems or fault-tolerant hardware architectures.
• Prior experience supporting full-vehicle integration campaigns.
• Prior experience in a fast-paced aerospace startup or small hardware development team.

Our office headquarters is located in Playa Vista, CA. This position requires in office presence.

Pay and benefits

The California annual base salary for this role is currently $137,000 - $193,000. Pay Grades are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual pay will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: interviews and an assessment of several factors that are unique to each candidate, job-related skills, relevant education and experience, certifications, abilities of the candidate and internal equity.

ITAR Compliance

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you 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. Learn more about the ITAR here.