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The Mission
Space is the bleeding edge for humanity's next industrial revolution. While reusable rockets have opened the door, true economic transformation requires infrastructure that makes orbit as accessible and reliable as air travel. At Lux Aeterna, we're building that future by developing the first reusable satellite platform with controlled return capability — transforming space from a one-way street into a two-way highway for innovation and commerce.
The Opportunity
We are seeking an exceptional Integration Engineer to own the assembly, integration, and test (AI&T) of Lux Aeterna's reusable spacecraft — from the first flatsat to flight vehicle delivery and post-flight refurbishment. This role sits at the intersection of flight hardware, flight software, ground software, and operations, and is the connective tissue that turns subsystems into a working spacecraft.
This is a software-leaning AI&T role. We are looking for someone who can write the test scripts, drive the flatsat, automate the regression suite, and debug a stuck CAN bus or a misbehaving FSW state machine with equal comfort. You will define how Lux Aeterna integrates and tests vehicles, build the procedures and tools that make it repeatable, and personally execute the campaigns that get hardware to the pad.
This is a unique opportunity to:
Develop and execute integration and test procedures across spacecraft-level functional, environmental, and end-to-end mission scenarios
Build the test automation, scripting, and data review infrastructure that makes high-cadence AI&T possible
Own Lux Aeterna's flatsat build and operation — the engineering model that anchors integration, regression, and operations rehearsals for every vehicle
Drive anomaly investigation and corrective action across flight software, avionics, GNC, and ground systems
Work directly with technical leadership to shape how Lux Aeterna integrates, tests, and certifies reusable spacecraft
Join a rapidly growing team with the resources to tackle ambitious technical challenges
Why Lux Aeterna?
Pioneering Technology: We're developing the first reusable satellite platform with controlled return capability, fundamentally transforming space from a one-way journey to a two-way highway
Real Impact: Your work will enable new industries in space manufacturing, research, and logistics while pioneering sustainable space infrastructure
Speed & Autonomy: We maintain parallel hardware development streams and empower engineers to innovate rapidly while upholding rigorous aerospace standards
World-Class Team: Work alongside experts from leading aerospace companies and research institutions, building technology that will reshape humanity's access to space
The Role
You will own spacecraft AI&T end-to-end and serve as the integrating engineer across hardware, flight software, and ground software during build and test.
Define and execute the integration and test sequence for the spacecraft — from incoming subsystem checkout, through flatsat-level integration, vehicle integration, environmental test, and pre-ship verification
Build, own, and operate the flatsat (engineering test bed) — bring up new avionics, harnessing, and subsystem stand-ins; keep it representative of flight; and use it as the primary asset for FSW regression, mission rehearsal, and ground-segment integration
Develop test procedures, work instructions, and acceptance/qualification documentation (ATP/QTP) that flight hardware moves through, and own configuration control of build and test data
Write and maintain test automation — scripting, command/telemetry tooling, and data review pipelines that let one engineer run a campaign that used to need three
Run vehicle-level functional tests, comm checks, polarity and continuity verification, day-in-the-life sequences, and end-to-end mission scenarios with flight software and ground software in the loop
Lead anomaly investigation during integration and test — partner with FSW, GNC, electrical, and structures to root-cause issues, drive corrective action, and close NCRs
Support environmental test campaigns (TVAC, vibration, EMI/EMC) — own test setup, instrumentation, conduct, data review, and pass/fail dispositioning at the spacecraft level
Evolve data acquisition systems (DAQs) - schematics and hardware builds as well as HMI/GUIs
Partner with the flight software team to expand hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) coverage on the flatsat and ensure FSW changes are exercised against representative hardware before they fly
Partner with the ground software team to validate command paths, telemetry decoms, mission scripts, and operator workflows against the flatsat and integrated vehicle
Support launch site operations, on-orbit commissioning, and post-flight refurbishment — close the loop from test data to flight performance and back into procedures
Help define AI&T standards, tooling, and hiring as the integration team grows around you
Required Qualifications
B.S. in Aerospace, Electrical, Computer, Mechanical, or Software Engineering, or a related technical field (or equivalent practical experience)
5+ years of hands-on aerospace AI&T experience on satellites, launch vehicles, reentry vehicles, or other flight hardware programs
Demonstrated ownership of spacecraft- or subsystem-level integration and test through a delivered flight article
Hands-on experience building and operating a flatsat, engineering model, or integration test bed
Strong scripting and automation skills in Python; comfort reading and modifying C/C++ in flight or test software, comfortability in Linux environments.
Working knowledge of spacecraft buses and interfaces (CAN, RS-422/485, SpaceWire, Ethernet, I2C/SPI) and the tools used to debug them (logic analyzers, scopes, bus sniffers)
Experience writing and executing formal AI&T procedures (ATP/QTP), capturing test results, and managing as-built configuration
Experience driving anomaly investigations and corrective actions that cross hardware/software boundaries
Comfort in lab and high-bay environments — ESD discipline, contamination control, and safe handling of flight hardware
Ability to operate effectively in fast build-test-iterate environments with high ownership and minimal supervision
Desired Experience
Direct experience as a spacecraft I&T lead, test conductor, or responsible engineer on a satellite program
Experience standing up flatsat/HITL builds — selecting and procuring stand-ins, integrating COTS avionics, and growing the build in step with the flight design
Experience supporting environmental test campaigns (qualification or protoqualification functional, TVAC, sine/random/shock vibration, EMI/EMC) at the spacecraft level
Experience integrating with and validating flight software stacks (Linux-based, RTOS, or both) and FDIR behavior
Familiarity with HITL/SIL frameworks, test automation tools, and CI for embedded software
Familiarity with CCSDS, telemetry decom, and ground-segment integration
Experience supporting launch site operations, range processing, or on-orbit commissioning
Familiarity with SMC-S-016, GEVS, or comparable verification frameworks
Prior experience at an early-stage aerospace startup
Location & Work
We are based in Denver, CO and believe in the power of in-person collaboration. We are onsite 5 days/week by default, but flexible when life requires it.
Certain roles may involve access to export-controlled technical data. To comply with U.S. export-control laws, access may be limited to individuals who qualify as a “U.S. person” under 22 C.F.R. §120.62 or who otherwise may lawfully receive such access.
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