Role Overview
Orbitworks is looking for a hands-on Environmental Test Technician to support the testing and qualification of satellite hardware and spacecraft systems.
In this role, you’ll work closely with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and test teams to prepare hardware, configure test equipment, execute environmental test campaigns, and ensure test activities are completed safely, accurately, and in accordance with approved procedures.
You’ll support a range of environmental tests designed to verify that spacecraft hardware can withstand the conditions experienced during launch and operation in space. This is a practical, detail-oriented role suited to someone who enjoys working directly with hardware, test equipment, and engineering teams in a fast-paced technical environment.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Set up and prepare spacecraft hardware, components, and test articles for environmental testing.
- Support the execution of environmental test campaigns including vibration, thermal, thermal vacuum, and other qualification or acceptance testing.
- Install and configure test fixtures, sensors, accelerometers, thermocouples, cables, and data acquisition equipment.
- Prepare test chambers, vibration systems, and supporting equipment in accordance with approved procedures.
- Perform pre-test inspections and verify that test configurations match engineering documentation.
- Execute test procedures while monitoring hardware and test equipment throughout the test.
- Record test parameters, observations, anomalies, and results accurately.
- Support engineers in troubleshooting hardware, instrumentation, or test-equipment issues.
- Assist with post-test inspections and hardware removal following completion of testing.
- Maintain test equipment, tooling, fixtures, cables, and laboratory areas.
- Support equipment calibration and ensure test assets remain within their required calibration periods.
- Follow safety procedures and maintain a clean, organized, and controlled test environment.
Key Responsibilities
Test Preparation:
Prepare hardware, instrumentation, fixtures, and test facilities for environmental testing.
Test Execution:
Execute approved environmental test procedures safely and accurately while monitoring test conditions and hardware performance.
Instrumentation:
Install and verify sensors, measurement equipment, data acquisition systems, and associated cabling.
Documentation:
Maintain accurate test records, configuration information, observations, and test results.
Equipment Maintenance:
Support the maintenance, calibration, and readiness of environmental test equipment and laboratory tooling.
Troubleshooting:
Work with engineers to identify and resolve issues encountered during test setup and execution.
Safety & Quality:
Ensure all activities are performed in accordance with safety, quality, configuration-control, and engineering requirements.
Must-Have Skills
- Diploma, technical qualification, or Associate's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Aerospace, or a related technical field.
- Hands-on experience working with mechanical, electrical, or test equipment in a technical environment.
- Ability to follow detailed engineering procedures, work instructions, and test documentation.
- Ability to read technical drawings, schematics, assembly drawings, and equipment instructions.
- Experience using basic measurement and test equipment.
- Strong mechanical aptitude and practical problem-solving skills.
- High attention to detail, particularly when working with sensitive or high-value hardware.
Nice-to-Have Skills
- Previous experience in environmental testing, aerospace testing, spacecraft testing, or another high-reliability industry.
- Hands-on experience with vibration or shaker testing.
- Experience with thermal or thermal vacuum chambers.
- Experience installing accelerometers, thermocouples, strain gauges, or other test instrumentation.
- Familiarity with data acquisition systems and test monitoring software.
- Understanding of vibration, thermal, shock, or vacuum testing principles.
- Experience working in cleanroom or controlled manufacturing environments.
- Familiarity with spacecraft, satellite, aviation, defence, or advanced engineering hardware.
- Experience working with calibrated equipment and controlled test documentation.
- Basic knowledge of electrical troubleshooting and measurement equipment.
Orbitworks' mission is to make space simple for organizations that want to deploy physical and virtual missions to space. Building on Loft Orbital's heritage, Orbitworks will be the first commercial firm in the United Arab Emirates to mass-manufacture satellites. Orbitworks aims to manufacture tens of satellites annually and operates out of a 50,000-square-foot facility in Abu Dhabi.
