Avionics Test Engineer (All Levels)

Company: astrolab
Location: Hawthorne, CA
Type: hybrid
Posted: Sep 18, 2026
Views: 2

✨ AI Summary

Astrolab, a lunar operations company building rovers and infrastructure for the Moon, is hiring Avionics Test Engineers from entry-level to staff. The role focuses on designing automated test systems using Python, C/C++, and custom hardware like PCBAs and harnesses. Candidates need a STEM degree and at least one year of experience in avionics development, hardware test, or test automation, with proficiency in test equipment and measurement techniques. Perks include equity ownership, comprehensive health benefits, and a 401(k) match.

Astrolab is The Lunar Operations Company. We design and build the systems and hardware the lunar economy will come to depend on — rovers, power, and data networks for sustained operations on the Moon. We are focused on the problems that must be solved before the next chapter of human exploration can scale. The Moon does not forgive untested assumptions. The people who work here know that, and they wouldn't have it any other way.

The Avionics Test Engineer will design, build, and operate the automated test systems that verify every rover avionics unit before it leaves the factory. You will develop test hardware and software, execute acceptance and qualification test campaigns, and work alongside Responsible Engineers and Manufacturing Engineers to make our avionics more testable, more reliable, and faster to build. This posting covers entry-level through staff-level positions, and leveling will be commensurate with experience.
  • Own the full lifecycle of avionics unit test systems: architecture definition, rack design (DCR, PDR, CDR, TRR), implementation, validation, and production sustainment
  • Design and develop automated test systems including COTS equipment selection, custom PCBA and harness design, and fixturing to verify UUT functionality and exercise failure modes
  • Write test automation software in Python, C/C++, or similar languages to interface with units under test, test equipment, and production data platforms (MES and test data archive)
  • test software to verify UUT functionality, exercise failure modes, and interface with production data platforms (MES and test data archive)
  • Partner with Responsible Engineers and Manufacturing Engineers to provide Design for Test (DFT) feedback, improve test coverage, and increase product reliability and yield
  • Own flight hardware through environmental screening, including thermal, vibration, TVAC, and burn-in, and serve as the primary contact for issues or stoppages
  • Root cause test anomalies and production failures, drive corrective actions to closure, and support vehicle-level failure investigations as needed
Basic Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in a science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) related field
  • 1+ years of experience with avionics development, hardware test, manufacturing, or test automation, including hardware and software responsibilities
  • Experience with test equipment and measurement techniques, such as oscilloscopes, DMMs, DAQs, and electronic loads, to verify and validate electronic hardware requirements
Preferred Qualifications
  • Programming experience in Python, C/C++, or a similar language
  • Experience designing and validating automated test racks, including custom PCBAs, signal conditioning, instrumentation selection, and wire harness design
  • Experience with SMC-S-016, MIL-STD-810, or other environmental testing standards, including shock, thermal, burn-in, TVAC, vibration, and EMI/EMC testing
  • Experience with avionics hardware such as power electronics, motor controllers, GNC sensors, optics, RF devices, or communication interfaces including Ethernet, RS-422, RS-485, and CAN
  • Experience with schematic capture, PCB layout, or wire harness design using Altium Designer or equivalent tools
  • Experience reading electrical schematics and understanding electronics manufacturing processes to analyze and improve test coverage
  • Experience with embedded software development, firmware integration, and nonconformance, MRB, or corrective action processes in a flight hardware production environment
  • For senior and staff levels: experience leading test campaigns from kickoff through test report, mentoring engineers, and setting standards for test system development and validation
  • Join a team of best-in-class engineers building the foundation of planetary surface exploration
  • Equity ownership in the company
  • Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and mental health support
  • 401(k) plan with company match
  • Flexible PTO and parental leave
  • Weekly lunch stipend, plus complimentary snacks and beverages on-site
  • Once a month social hour on-site with food and drinks
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About the Company

Name: astrolab
Location: Hawthorne, California
Website: https://www.astrolab.space

Astrolab is building the robotic platform for the multi-planet future. We are pioneering new ways to explore and operate on distant planetary bodies. We’re singularly focused on designing, building, and operating a fleet of multi-purpose commercial planetary rovers to extend and enhance humanity’s presence in the solar system. The multi-functional Flexible Logistics & Exploration (FLEX) rover is being developed to support human operations, robotic science, exploration, logistics, construction, resource utilization, and other activities critical to enabling a sustained human presence on the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

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