Satellite Power Test Engineer

Xona Space Systems
Burlingame, CA
On-site

Who this role is best for

Geared toward candidates with a technical background in power systems and a collaborative mindset, comfortable with designing and validating satellite power infrastructure.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with experience in high reliability power systems and a systems engineering mindset
    — “2+ years experience in testing and qualifying power system, ideally for high reliability applications”
  • Professionals who can bridge electrical, mechanical, and thermal domains with precision
    — “Strong systems-level thinking across electrical, mechanical, thermal, and power domains”
  • Individuals who have worked on satellite or aerospace projects with supplier collaboration
    — “Closely work with suppliers to ensure compliance to the satellite’s performance requirements”

Things to consider

  • Geographic restrictions apply for non-U.S. candidates due to export regulations
    — “To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations”
  • Security clearance requirements may add time and complexity to the hiring process
    — “successful candidates must be eligible to obtain UK Security Clearance (SC)”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience with solar array performance prediction and power budgeting in your resume
    — “Working knowledge of solar array performance prediction (BOL/EOL, radiation and thermal effects) and power budgeting”
  • Emphasize your ability to translate test results into design improvements
    — “Work with design engineers ... to incorporate lessons learned into their designs”
  • Showcase your familiarity with CAD, PLM, and test equipment in your application materials
    — “proficiency with standard tools (CAD, PLM, test equipment)”
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • developing qualification plans
  • working with suppliers
  • documenting test plans
Typical background
B.S. in Electrical, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field2+ years of experience in testing and qualifying power systems

Skills & requirements

Required

Satellite Power System TestingBattery And Solar Array TechnologiesPower BudgetingSystems-level ThinkingCollaboration

Preferred

CAD ProficiencyPLM ProficiencyTest Equipment Proficiency

Stack & domain

Satellite Power SystemSolar ArraysBatteriesQualification PlansPower RequirementsFault ScenariosOperating EnvironmentSupplier ComplianceInternal Acceptance PlanTest InfrastructureTest PlansTest ResultsNon ConformancesDesign EngineersElectricalSoftwareMechanicalSystems-level ThinkingDrawingsGD&TBomsMass/power BudgetsCADPLMTest EquipmentAerospace IndustryCollaborationTeamworkCommunicationProblem-solvingTechnical DesignAutomationContinuous ImprovementService UptimeSystems StandardsProfessional GrowthSupervisor GuidanceProcess AutomationDeploymentScriptingDevOpsVirtualizationDeployment Processes3D Animation IndustryEnglish Proficiency

About the role

Original posting from Xona Space Systems via Ashby

Xona is the navigational intelligence company bringing real-time, centimeter-level certainty to any device, anywhere on Earth.

With Pulsar – the world’s most advanced PNT satellite infrastructure in Low Earth Orbit – Xona will offer a future-proof, backwards-compatible global positioning system optimized for absolute precision, superior power, and robust protection.

Role Overview

We are looking for a Satellite Power Test Engineer to join our engineering team. In this role, you will support the validate and characterize the satellite’s power system, including the solar arrays and batteries and work with other disciplines to design an efficient and complete solution for our satellite system.

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a team that’s building cutting-edge technology for space.

What You’ll Do:

  • Develop the qualification plans for the satellite’s batteries and solar arrays
  • Determine the power requirements, use cases, fault scenarios, and operating environment in order to properly specify requirements
  • Closely work with suppliers to ensure compliance to the satellite’s performance requirements
  • Develop the internal acceptance plan and determine the test infrastructure needed to perform the tests
  • Document test plans, test results, and non conformances
  • Work with design engineers (electrical, software, and mechanical) to incorporate lessons learned into their designs

What You Bring:

  • B.S. in Electrical, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field
  • 2+ years experience in testing and qualifying power system, ideally for high reliability applications
  • Strong understanding of battery and solar array technologies
  • Working knowledge of solar array performance prediction (BOL/EOL, radiation and thermal effects) and power budgeting
  • Strong systems-level thinking across electrical, mechanical, thermal, and power domains
  • Familiarity with drawings, GD&T, BOMs, and mass/power budgets; proficiency with standard tools (CAD, PLM, test equipment)
  • A collaborative, team-oriented mindset and the ability to communicate effectively
  • A passion for learning and growing in the aerospace industry

For U.S. Roles: To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the United States (i.e. Green Card holder), or other protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

For U.K. Roles: To comply with U.K. regulations, this role requires Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks, and successful candidates must be eligible to obtain UK Security Clearance (SC).

For Canada Roles: Successful candidates must obtain and hold a security clearance at the reliability status level, and pass security assessment for the Canadian Controlled Goods Program (CGP) and ITAR.

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

Source: Xona Space Systems careers (Ashby)

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