layiq

/la·yiq/adjective

worthy; deserving; fitting; suitable.

A role, opportunity, or path that merits attention, time, and pursuit.

LAYIQ - Spacecraft Test Engineer at Xona Space Systems

Early-Stage R&D and Design De-Risking
Identify high-risk mechanical, structural, thermal, material, and process risks early in the spacecraft development cycle.
Design and execute coupon-, component-, and subassembly-level tests to characterize materials, interfaces, processes, and hardware before design freeze.
Develop test-derived allowables and engineering data for critical mechanical interfaces, including bonded joints, structural interfaces, and other spacecraft hardware.
Perform material and process characterization to validate assumptions before they become embedded in flight designs.
Develop rapid mechanical and thermal tests to investigate potential failure modes and inform design decisions.
Partner directly with mechanical, structures, thermal, payload, electrical, and systems engineers to translate test results into actionable design changes.
In-House Test Capability Development
Build and expand Xona's internal capabilities for advanced mechanical and materials testing.
Develop test methods for mechanical strength, tensile testing, optical properties testing, coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), thermal characterization, and other specialized testing.
Design and build test fixtures, instrumentation, and data acquisition systems required to execute these tests.
Establish repeatable test methods, procedures, calibration practices, and internal engineering databases.
Use physical testing to validate and improve analytical and simulation models.
Identify opportunities to replace outsourced testing with faster, more responsive in-house capabilities.
First-Article Spacecraft Vibration Testing
Own the planning and execution of first-article spacecraft vibration testing
, from test definition through final reporting.
Develop spacecraft vibration test plans and procedures in coordination with structures, systems, mechanical, electrical, and test teams.
Define test configurations, instrumentation, accelerometer placement, interface requirements, fixture requirements, and pre/post-test functional checks.
Design and/or oversee the design of spacecraft vibration fixtures and associated ground support equipment.
Coordinate with external vibration facilities and test operators to execute test campaigns safely and effectively.
Monitor test data in real time, identify anomalies, and make engineering decisions during test execution.
Perform pre- and post-test inspections, functional testing, and data analysis.
Lead investigation and root-cause analysis of test anomalies and drive corrective actions back into spacecraft design and manufacturing.
Develop and improve Xona's spacecraft test methodologies as the Pulsar fleet scales, including coupon, materials, preload, vibration, thermal, and TVAC.
Thermal Vacuum & Environmental Testing
Support spacecraft-level thermal vacuum (TVAC) test campaigns
, including planning, instrumentation, execution, and post-test analysis.
Coordinate spacecraft configuration, GSE, chamber interfaces, thermal instrumentation, and test facility requirements.
Execute thermal cycling and thermal vacuum testing while monitoring spacecraft performance and identifying unexpected thermal behavior.
Work closely with thermal engineers to correlate thermal models against physical test data and identify model deficiencies.
Support early thermal characterization and model correlation to reduce surprises during formal spacecraft TVAC.
Analyze temperature, functional, and other test data to identify thermal or mechanical issues and recommend design improvements.
Lead post-TVAC inspections, functional testing, anomaly resolution, and test reporting.
Spacecraft Qualification & Verification
Develop spacecraft-level verification strategies that connect early R&D testing with formal qualification and acceptance testing.
Define test objectives, success criteria, instrumentation, and data requirements.
Support PDR/CDR and other design reviews by providing test-derived evidence of mechanical and environmental performance.
Develop and maintain test plans, procedures, reports, and verification documentation.
Lead test readiness reviews and coordinate closure of test prerequisites and open technical issues.
Support qualification, acceptance, and flight hardware testing throughout the spacecraft lifecycle.
Drive lessons learned from testing into spacecraft design standards, manufacturing processes, and future vehicle builds.
Cross-Functional Engineering
Serve as a technical point of contact between spacecraft test and the broader engineering organization.
Work closely with mechanical, structures, thermal, electrical, payload, GNC, systems engineering, manufacturing, and operations teams.
Provide early, test-driven feedback to designers rather than waiting for formal qualification to discover problems.
Work directly with vendors and external test laboratories when specialized facilities or capabilities are required.
Mentor engineers and technicians in spacecraft test methods, environmental testing, instrumentation, and hardware handling.
Establish scalable test processes and standards as Xona increases spacecraft production.

Spacecraft Test Engineer

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