Lead Satellite Environmental Test Engineer

Orbitworks is significantly increasing the level of our satellite production and therefore we require a highly experienced Lead Environmental Test Engineer to join the team at our newly opened, state-of-the-art satellite production facility in the UAE.   This role provides the opportunity to own the full lifecycle of environmental verification and test —from early program feasibility, to planning, SOP creation, infrastructure readiness, maintenance oversight, right through to the hands-on execution of Vibration, TVAC, Thermal, and EMC/EMI campaigns.   This role is vital as it ensures our satellites are tested reliably, on schedule, and to the high standards required for us to launch.

Responsibilities Perform test feasibility assessment during early satellite program phases.

Build long-term and short-term environmental test plans based on program needs.

Produce SOPs and process documentation for all test equipment operations.

Oversee readiness, calibration, and maintenance (including maintenance contracts) for vibration tables, TVAC chambers, thermal systems, and EMC/EMI test equipment.

Prepare hardware, instrumentation, facility setups, and DAQ configurations prior to test campaigns.

Lead execution of Vibration, TVAC, Thermal, and EMC/EMI tests.

Supervise test technicians; ensure procedural discipline and configuration control.

Analyze test data and generate qualification/acceptance reports.

Interface with Systems Engineering, AIT, QA, and external vendors on environmental test matters.

Must-have Skills & Experience Satellite Environmental test engineering experience (Vibration, TVAC, Thermal, EMC/EMI)

Ability to conduct feasibility assessments & long-term test planning

Strong knowledge of instrumentation & DAQ systems

Ability to write SOPs, process docs, and procedures

Experience with test standards (GEVS, MIL-STD-1540, ECSS, etc.)

Strong analytical skills for test data interpretation

Experience managing maintenance and calibration programs

Cross-functional communication & documentation discipline

Nice-to-Have Skills & Experience Python scripting / automation

EMC/EMI test experience

Experience in satellite manufacturing environments

Familiarity with high-volume test cycles and cleanroom operations.

Experience with design-for-test inputs

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.

Satellite Environmental test engineering experience (Vibration, TVAC, Thermal, EMC/EMI)

Ability to conduct feasibility assessments & long-term test planning

Strong knowledge of instrumentation & DAQ systems

Ability to write SOPs, process docs, and procedures

Experience with test standards (GEVS, MIL-STD-1540, ECSS, etc.)

Strong analytical skills for test data interpretation

Experience managing maintenance and calibration programs

Cross-functional communication & documentation discipline