Test Engineer

About the role

Today, everything we send to space is constrained by what fits inside a rocket fairing. That's a fundamental bottleneck to building more capable spacecraft. Rendezvous Robotics is solving this problem with electromagnetic self-assembling tiles: modular spacecraft components that rendezvous, dock, and latch to assemble bigger and more powerful spacecraft than anything that can be folded to fit into a rocket.

We're a small team based in Golden, Colorado, executing on a clear path from flight demonstration to our first operational systems. Our work spans hardware, software, and systems engineering. We are looking for the best people in the world who want to build the next generation of advanced spacecraft.

Responsibilities & Ownership

• Develop test plans, procedures, and readiness documentation for component, subsystem, and system-level testing, with clear traceability to requirements.
• Build and maintain test infrastructure - fixtures, data acquisition, automation, and the tooling that makes campaigns repeatable.
• Execute functional, environmental, and performance tests; collect and analyze data; and document results against pass/fail criteria.
• Lead anomaly resolution and root-cause investigations and drive corrective actions to closure.
• Work shoulder-to-shoulder with design, manufacturing, and avionics engineers ensuring optimal production workflow.
• Serve as a technical point of contact for test activities in design reviews and major test events.
• Own the test strategy as the program scales toward flight demonstration and first operational systems.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering (mechanical, electrical, aerospace, or related).
• [Senior level only] 5+ years of relevant experience
• Hands-on experience planning and executing test campaigns - environmental, structural, EMI/EMC, and/or functional.
• Strong data analysis and failure-analysis skills, with a systems-level view of how a test result maps back to requirements.
• Comfort with data acquisition, test automation, and scripting (Python, LabVIEW, MATLAB, or similar).
• Clear technical writing and communication - your procedures and reports need to stand on their own.
• S. person status required (see below).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with spacecraft, satellite, or other flight-hardware AI&T.
• Familiarity with embedded systems, motor/actuator control, or sensor instrumentation.
• Knowledge of relevant standards (e.g., MIL-STD-810, GSFC-STD-7000 / GEVS, or equivalent NASA/DoD specs).
• Experience standing up a test lab or test infrastructure from scratch in a startup or small-team environment.
• Master's degree in engineering.

Compensation and Benefits

Engineer: $80,000 - $120,000

Senior Engineer: $120,000 - $150,000

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. In addition to the base salary, you may also be eligible for long-term incentives in the form of stock options. You will receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, short- and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, and paid parental leave. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year.

ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.