Capella is at the forefront of making vital information about our world accessible in a timely manner. We’re leveraging proven technologies and building new capabilities to create a constellation of SAR satellites that can collect information about any spot on the planet within an hour.

At Capella you’ll work in a collaborative team environment, alongside smart people with a history of space mission success. No prior space experience is needed—we’re looking for people excited about tackling seemingly impossible challenges, learning new skills and concepts, and helping each other achieve success.

Our mission and our products are meant to understand the whole world and help everyone in it, regardless of race, creed, or any other distinction. We believe in a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we encourage all people to join our team and bring their unique perspective to help make us stronger.

We value diversity at Capella and welcome applications from those who are traditionally underrepresented in tech. If you like the sound of this position, but are not sure if you are the perfect fit, please apply!

About the Role

The path from a collection of parts to an orbiting spacecraft in Capella's constellation isn't an easy one–every step of the way requires verifying the functionality, reliability, and durability of complex systems. As a Senior Spacecraft Systems Test Engineer, you will define, plan, perform, and document testing of Capella's innovative SAR spacecraft to ensure they are ready to provide the data our customers count on. You will also assist in the integration of flight hardware, and will support design and system test engineers to ensure the parts and software you receive are up to the task. Depending on your skills and interests, you may also design test fixtures and equipment, create automation tools to streamline and improve testing, and work with design engineers to develop the next generation of Capella spacecraft and products.

This hands-on role requires a strong understanding of the physics that affect our system; attention to detail and documentation; and the flexibility to respond safely and quickly to the inherent surprises of testing.

About the Team

The Spacecraft Integration & Test team is a small-but-growing group that works closely together and collaborates throughout the company. As the last stop before orbit, we work hard to navigate technical and schedule challenges to deliver safe, functional spacecraft. This requires schedule flexibility during challenging times, but we seek to maintain work-life balance in return.

Qualifications

This role is open to a range of engineering backgrounds (software, electrical, mechanical, etc.) and experience levels. Your ability to learn and desire to solve problems are the most important qualifications.

Required:

  • Experience and comfort handling and operating flight hardware safely
  • Basic mechanical, electrical, AND software aptitude–you're comfortable turning a wrench, probing with a multimeter, and using a Linux terminal
  • Deep mechanical, electrical, OR software aptitude–and the willingness to teach those who don't share your specialty
  • A methodical approach to testing and problem solving
  • A track record of safe and effective testing of complex systems

Ideal:

  • Bachelor's or higher in an engineering discipline
  • Experience specifying and executing environmental testing including vibration, thermal, TVAC, and static load
  • Knowledge of spacecraft subsystems and operations
  • Experience operating in a contamination- and ESD-sensitive environment
  • Fluent in scripting/automation using Python
  • Background in quality processes, particularly nonconformance management and resolution
  • Background in (and appreciation for) configuration and change management using PLM tools (Aras preferred)
  • Familiarity with ECAD (Altium preferred) and/or MCAD (SolidWorks preferred)

CO Salary Range: $90k-138k

Salary is dependent upon qualifications and is paired with comprehensive benefits package.

In addition to an opportunity to take part in an innovative and fast-growing business with a highly motivated and skilled team, we also take pride in taking care of our employees. Here are just a few ways that we show our appreciation:

  • Medical/Dental/Vision
  • Disability and Life Insurance
  • 401k plan
  • Equity
  • Health Care, Dependent Care FSAs 
  • Commuter/Parking Flex Spending
  • Flexible vacation policy
  • In-office lunch program
  • Dog friendly work environment (SF)

All team members at Capella Space must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to help ensure the safety our community.

The definition of fully vaccinated is subject to change (may include boosters).

Accommodation requests based on medical or religious reasons will be reviewed on a case by case basis.  

Apply for this Job

* Required
resume chosen  
(File types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf)
cover_letter chosen  
(File types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf)
When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review
+ Add another education


Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in Capella Space’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

Race & Ethnicity Definitions

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.


Form CC-305

OMB Control Number 1250-0005

Expires 05/31/2023

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability

Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor required by law to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We are also required to measure our progress toward having at least 7% of our workforce be individuals with disabilities. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had a disability. Because a person may become disabled at any time, we ask all of our employees to update their information at least every five years.

Identifying yourself as an individual with a disability is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer will be maintained confidentially and not be seen by selecting officials or anyone else involved in making personnel decisions. Completing the form will not negatively impact you in any way, regardless of whether you have self-identified in the past. For more information about this form or the equal employment obligations of federal contractors under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

You are considered to have a disability if you have a physical or mental impairment or medical condition that substantially limits a major life activity, or if you have a history or record of such an impairment or medical condition.

Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Autism
  • Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, or HIV/AIDS
  • Blind or low vision
  • Cancer
  • Cardiovascular or heart disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Deaf or hard of hearing
  • Depression or anxiety
  • Diabetes
  • Epilepsy
  • Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, or irritable bowel syndrome
  • Intellectual disability
  • Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
  • Nervous system condition for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, or Multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Psychiatric condition, for example, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD, or major depression

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.