CF
Test Engineer
Accepting applicationsCosmic Frontier Labs · San Francisco Bay Area
Full-Time Associate MATLABPythonaiatementor
Posted
2d ago
Category
Test
Experience
Associate
Country
United States
Cosmic Frontier’s mission is to dramatically expand access to high performance space telescopes, democratize the scientific process, and build tools for exploring the Universe.
Cosmic Frontier team members own the full lifecycle of spaceflight hardware and software, from early architecture through flight. We build and fly real hardware. The systems you build will go to orbit within the next two years.
Role Description:
We’re looking for a test engineer to validate hardware and software across our telescope systems and to build the test infrastructure that turns iteration into a competitive advantage.
If you love breaking things before they break themselves, we want to talk.
What you’ll do:
Design and run test campaigns across subsystems and integrated builds, from bench tests to vibe and TVAC
Build fixtures, write automation, and create the instrumentation and data pipelines that make results trustworthy
Hunt edge cases early and turn failures into design changes, not paperwork
What Success looks like in the first 90 days:
Stand up a v1 automated test and data capture workflow that the team can reuse
Run one end to end subsystem test campaign and produce a clear report with actions
Improve one piece of test infrastructure that directly increases iteration speed or confidence
Required qualifications:
Strong education background in Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical Engineering, or related field, with significant experience testing complex hardware systems
Hands on experience designing and executing test campaigns, including environmental testing such as vibration and thermal vacuum
Experience building test fixtures, selecting instrumentation, and creating reliable data acquisition workflows
Proven ability to analyze failures, identify root cause, and drive design changes based on test results
Desired Qualifications:
Experience testing integrated electro mechanical or spaceflight hardware systems
Background in test automation using Python, LabVIEW, MATLAB, or similar tools
Experience developing hardware in the loop setups or automated regression style testing
Comfortable operating in a fast paced startup environment where you are expected to define the test approach, not just execute it
Benefits:
Unlimited PTO, sick leave, parental leave, bereavement leave.
Medical, dental, vision, reproductive healthcare, HSA/FSA, life and disability insurance, One Medical.
401(k), education benefits, cell phone and Wi-Fi reimbursement, one-time work-from-home stipend, commuter benefits, wellness programs.
Export control:
Due to the nature of the products and information handled in this role, employment is restricted to U.S. Persons as defined by U.S. export control laws.
Salary Band:
L4: $120,000 – $160,000
L5: $170,000 – $250,000
Diversity and Inclusion:
We encourage anyone who is excited about this role to apply, even if you don’t meet 100% of the qualifications. We value builders with strong judgment, high ownership, and a track record of making complex systems work in the real world.
Recruiting, hiring, mentoring, and retaining a diverse workforce is critical to our success. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
Cosmic Frontier Labs is a Program and Operating Division of the Renaissance Philanthropy Fund. Renaissance Philanthropy is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Renaissance Philanthropy Fund Privacy Policy
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Cosmic Frontier team members own the full lifecycle of spaceflight hardware and software, from early architecture through flight. We build and fly real hardware. The systems you build will go to orbit within the next two years.
Role Description:
We’re looking for a test engineer to validate hardware and software across our telescope systems and to build the test infrastructure that turns iteration into a competitive advantage.
If you love breaking things before they break themselves, we want to talk.
What you’ll do:
Design and run test campaigns across subsystems and integrated builds, from bench tests to vibe and TVAC
Build fixtures, write automation, and create the instrumentation and data pipelines that make results trustworthy
Hunt edge cases early and turn failures into design changes, not paperwork
What Success looks like in the first 90 days:
Stand up a v1 automated test and data capture workflow that the team can reuse
Run one end to end subsystem test campaign and produce a clear report with actions
Improve one piece of test infrastructure that directly increases iteration speed or confidence
Required qualifications:
Strong education background in Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical Engineering, or related field, with significant experience testing complex hardware systems
Hands on experience designing and executing test campaigns, including environmental testing such as vibration and thermal vacuum
Experience building test fixtures, selecting instrumentation, and creating reliable data acquisition workflows
Proven ability to analyze failures, identify root cause, and drive design changes based on test results
Desired Qualifications:
Experience testing integrated electro mechanical or spaceflight hardware systems
Background in test automation using Python, LabVIEW, MATLAB, or similar tools
Experience developing hardware in the loop setups or automated regression style testing
Comfortable operating in a fast paced startup environment where you are expected to define the test approach, not just execute it
Benefits:
Unlimited PTO, sick leave, parental leave, bereavement leave.
Medical, dental, vision, reproductive healthcare, HSA/FSA, life and disability insurance, One Medical.
401(k), education benefits, cell phone and Wi-Fi reimbursement, one-time work-from-home stipend, commuter benefits, wellness programs.
Export control:
Due to the nature of the products and information handled in this role, employment is restricted to U.S. Persons as defined by U.S. export control laws.
Salary Band:
L4: $120,000 – $160,000
L5: $170,000 – $250,000
Diversity and Inclusion:
We encourage anyone who is excited about this role to apply, even if you don’t meet 100% of the qualifications. We value builders with strong judgment, high ownership, and a track record of making complex systems work in the real world.
Recruiting, hiring, mentoring, and retaining a diverse workforce is critical to our success. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
Cosmic Frontier Labs is a Program and Operating Division of the Renaissance Philanthropy Fund. Renaissance Philanthropy is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Renaissance Philanthropy Fund Privacy Policy
Show more Show less