Job Description

Karman+

We are inventors, designers, engineers, scientists, tinkerers, entrepreneurs, adventurers, artists, activists, global citizens, architects, musicians, builders, writers, athletes and space nerds. We partner with the best minds and most experienced teams across industry and academia, bringing together the knowledge, experience, and skills required to navigate our critical path.

Mission

We want to mine space resources from near-Earth asteroids to provide abundant, sustainable energy and resources in space and for Earth.

Vision

Asteroid mining has lived at the intersection of scientific research and popular culture for decades, with as many academic papers published as there are books, TV shows and movies about it.

Access to resources, with its finite nature and disparate distribution, plays an essential part in the geopolitical web of power and wealth. It has defined economic growth to such an extent that we have been using them as primary demarcation lines and identifiers in our history, from the stone to bronze and iron age to our current silicon age.

But our resources-driven growth faces a massive existential challenge, with climate change, ecosystem degradation and resource depletion demanding a complete reset. Humanity needs to shift global transportation, manufacturing, construction and energy onto a sustainable path.

Expanding beyond the Kármán line is where we believe transformative future growth and innovation will be found. Recent missions by NASA (OSIRIS-REx & DART) and JAXA (Hayabusa2) have firmly pushed the idea of using space resources from academic research into commercial opportunity.

We believe the Regolith Age , powered by abundant space resources, is an inevitability that we can accelerate.

We value these principles:

• Diversity of thought . We believe that different perspectives drive better results. We aim to build diverse teams and a diverse company.
• Ownership, feedback and accountability. Ideas improve through collaboration, discussion and iteration. Decisions don't follow the same pattern and revert to the mean when made in a group. We aim to have clear ownership, accountability for results and autonomy to deliver.
• No silos. We build cross-functional teams to be able to deliver on our goals. There are no predefined lanes for people to operate in, information is pushed out across all teams to make sure we benefit from cross-pollination.
• High talent bar, no a**holes. We optimize for potential and a growth mindset. We value experience, but only when balanced with self-awareness and first principles thinking.
• Small is beautiful. The best results as well as the best work experience come from a small team of talented people working towards a common goal.

Position: Component Test Engineer (Spacecraft AI&T)

Location: Broomfield, CO

Position Type: Full-time, on-site

Mission : High Frontier – Test Early and Often

At Karman+, we're building spacecraft systems that will take us beyond Earth orbit. For the High Frontier mission, we need a hands-on Component Test Engineer to join our AI&T team to plan and execute a variety of component level tests. This includes helping to establish standard component test processes and best practices. This is a key role for an engineer who loves to create robust test infrastructure, ensure repeatability, and define best practices for spacecraft integration campaigns. Note that this role is much more than procedure writing, we expect you to have a deep understanding of the components you are testing, work directly with the REs to design useful tests, and independently perform troubleshooting when necessary.

What it takes to be successful in this role:

As a Component Test Engineer, you will help define processes, procedures, and standards to ensure consistency, scalability, and reliability in testing efforts. This is a hands-on, component test focused role.

This position is highly collaborative — as a member of the AI&T team you will work with every other team in the organization; including avionics, FSW, thermal, structures, mechanisms, communications, and GNC.

Key Responsibilities

• Take ownership of various component-level tests. Component tests will include both environmental qualification/acceptance and bench level checkouts prior to flight vehicle integration. Some examples:
  • RF power amplifier TVAC
  • IMU bench checkout
  • Frangibolt vibration testing
  • Star tracker and camera "dark sky" testing
• Drive component-level test development and execution
  • Author and execute checkout procedures for vendor components prior to flight vehicle integration (C&I checks, in-rush, initial power on, basic CMD/TLM, software/firmware flashing, etc.)
  • Adapt component checkout procedures developed by in-house component teams for AI&T use. Execute these procedures prior to flight vehicle integration.
  • Support responsible engineers in the planning and execution of in-house component level environmental testing (vibe, TVAC, and thermal cycle). This includes both environmental qualification and acceptance test campaigns
• Design and verify test harnesses for bench checkouts and environmental testing
  • Jumper harnesses to connect serial busses to USB interfaces
  • Breakout box (BOB) harnesses
  • Thermal vacuum (TVAC) feedthrough harnesses
• Develop and document standard operating procedures for component level bench checkouts, qualification, and acceptance testing
• Leverage component EDUs to learn and develop flight component test procedures
• Maintain handling and storage guidelines for individual components
  • Electrostatic discharge
  • Cleanliness
  • Connector cycles
  • Inventory management and tracking
• Help maintain the functionality and operation of TVAC and thermal cycle chambers, ensuring rapid turnaround between tests and limited downtime.
  • May include operating the chambers in addition to operating the components in the chambers
  • Design vacuum-side test equipment to preserve chamber cleanliness
• Identify opportunities for automation and process improvements.

What You Bring

• Understanding of how environmental test facilities are designed and operated.
• Understanding of qualification and acceptance test flows and standards.
• Deep understanding of component-level testing, including power distribution and data buses (CAN, RS-422/485, Ethernet).
• Experience with Python or similar scripting language.
• Experience with Linux based operating systems.
• Experience with ESD labs, cleanrooms, and electrical test equipment (power supplies, oscilloscopes, electronic loads, network analyzers, etc.)
• Proven ability to develop processes and procedures for test setups, documentation, and troubleshooting.
• Familiarity with test harness design
• Familiarity with electrical drawings, schematics, and harness design tools (e.g., Altium, Visio, etc.).
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, hands-on, iterative development environment.
• BS in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Direct experience in spacecraft AI&T, avionics testing, or related hardware test roles. This means the ability to:
  • independently plan and execute flight component checkout procedures
  • independently design and build a BOB cable, and
  • independently adapt flight harness schematics into a FlatSat version.

Bonus If You Have

• Exposure to spacecraft component environmental testing (TVAC, thermal cycle, vibration)
• Experience defining harness standards and training others on process compliance.
• Familiarity with configuration management tools and version-controlled documentation.

Requirements

• BS or MS in engineering, aerospace engineering, or related technical field.

Additional Information

We Offer

Our cash compensation amount for this role is targeted at $90,000.00 - $140,000.00 annually in this location. Final offer amounts are determined by multiple factors including candidate experience and expertise and may vary from the amount listed above.

Top Benefits & Perks

As a member of the Karman+ team, you'll enjoy an impressive benefits package:

• Equity Incentives - Participate in our shared success.
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans for top tier plans with additional buy-up plan options.
• Short-term Disability and Long-term Disability covered by Karman+
• Basic Life Insurance covered by Karman+
• 401k plan
• Unlimited Paid Time Off - We focus on what you get done, not how many hours or days you work.

Location & Work Environment

This position is full-time in-person at our offices & lab in Broomfield, CO. If you reside in locations outside of daily commuting distance you will be considered, however, no relocation or travel assistance will be provided by Karman+ for this position. This position operates in an office environment. This entails working inside in an office space wherein you may be provided with a public work station (cubicle) or private offices. In the performance of the duties and responsibilities of this job, you will be required to view a computer terminal for prolonged periods of time.

Travel

Occasional travel to work site locations may be expected. Overnight stays may be required from time to time for training, seminars, conferences, meetings, events, or visits to onsite locations.

Disclaimer

This job posting is not intended to contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required. Karman+ reserves the right to change or assign additional duties, responsibilities, and activities at any time with or without notice.

Hiring Practices

Karman+ is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in hiring or any employment decision based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or other applicable legally protected characteristic. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact hr@karmanplus.com.

Come work with us...

We are crazy ambitious but the timing is right. Be part of the team looking to make it happen.

• We are looking to build things to put in space quickly.
• We emphasize creativity and innovation and resources are available to support good ideas.
• Join a team of people working toward the same ambitious goal.
• We are an engaging team looking to empower our teammates.
• You can have a share in the company value creation.

ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including 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.

Follow us on LinkedIn to stay tuned on upcoming roles with Karman+.

If you know someone who'd be a great addition to our team, please encourage them to apply for this role or for our General Application.

Job Tags

Permanent employment, Full time, Temporary work, Work experience placement, Casual work, Work at office, Relocation package, Shift work, Night shift,

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