Capella Space
Senior Manager, Development Test Engineering
Capella Space, San Francisco, California, United States, 94199
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Senior Manager, Development Test Engineering
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Senior Manager, Development Test Engineering
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Capella Space Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features. About Capella Space
Capella Space is a pioneer in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite technology and space-based signal intelligence. We empower government, commercial, and research organizations around the world with high-resolution, timely Earth insights that drive better decisions - across defense and intelligence, disaster response, infrastructure monitoring, environmental protection, energy, and more. About Capella Space
Capella Space is a pioneer in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite technology and space-based signal intelligence. We empower government, commercial, and research organizations around the world with high-resolution, timely Earth insights that drive better decisions - across defense and intelligence, disaster response, infrastructure monitoring, environmental protection, energy, and more.
As a U.S.-based company, Capella designs, builds, and operates an advanced constellation of commercial SAR satellites in orbit today. Our satellites are backed by a fully automated tasking, collection, and delivery platform, delivering fast, reliable insights when and where our customers need them most. As a subsidiary of IonQ, a global leader in quantum computing, Capella is charting the future of Earth observation. Together, we’re on a mission to bring quantum computing to space - unlocking ultra-secure, encrypted uplink and downlink capabilities, reducing latency, and enabling powerful on-orbit analytics. This visionary integration of advanced remote sensing and quantum technology will support customers with the highest level of data fidelity, security, and speed.
Capella was named one of Fast Company’s 10 Most Innovative Companies in Space in 2023 and is a trusted partner of the U.S. Space Force, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, NASA, the National Reconnaissance Office, and allied government agencies worldwide. Built In recognized IonQ on three of its 2025 Best Places to Work lists.
What Makes Capella Unique?
At Capella, we don’t just imagine what’s possible - we build it. We’re a mission-driven team fueled by curiosity, grit, and a shared commitment to redefining the limits of space innovation. Our environment is fast paced, rooted in humble collaboration. Every team member plays a critical role in shaping the future of our technology and our industry. If you're ready to roll up your sleeves and help solve problems that others call impossible—we're the place for you. We believe great ideas can come from anywhere, and we thrive on diverse perspectives that help us move faster, think deeper, and push the boundaries of innovation. Whether you're new to the space industry or a seasoned expert, you'll find a team that values creativity, integrity, and bold thinking. Join us as we build the future of SAR—and take quantum to space.
About The Role & Team
We are seeking a highly experienced and dynamic Senior Manager for our Development Test Engineering team to lead and oversee our satellite development testing. The Development Test Engineering team is responsible for the verification and validation of requirements for our next generation components, subsystems and satellites.
Role Responsibilities
Team Leadership & Management Lead, mentor, and develop a team of test engineers in the design, execution, and evaluation of test programs for aerospace systems. Define performance objectives, monitor team progress, and conduct performance reviews. Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the design verification engineering team.
Test Strategy, Architecture, & Planning Develop our approach and architect our design verification and qualification testing infrastructure. Develop and implement comprehensive test strategies to ensure product safety, quality, and compliance with industry standards. Oversee the creation and execution of test plans, test cases, and test reports for both hardware and software systems. Ensure test activities align with project timelines, performance metrics, and quality requirements.
Test Execution & Oversight Lead the execution of complex testing processes, including environmental, structural, and flight testing, to validate system performance. Ensure adherence to industry standards and regulatory requirements. Analyze test data and oversee the identification and resolution of test failures or discrepancies. Ensure detailed documentation of all test procedures, results, and compliance records.
Cross-Functional Collaboration Collaborate with engineering teams, including design, systems, and manufacturing, to define test requirements and refine product specifications. Provide technical guidance and act as the key point of contact for all test-related issues throughout the development lifecycle. Coordinate with key stakeholders to develop our acceptance testing approach and transition to production.
Continuous Improvement Drive continuous improvement in testing processes, methodologies, and tools. Implement best practices for risk management, failure analysis, and reliability testing.
Qualifications
Education Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field. Experience 10+ years of experience testing complex high-reliability systems, such as aircraft, spacecraft, automotive, military or medical systems, including 5+ years in a leadership or management role. Hands-on experience with a wide range of complex test equipment and tools (e.g., vibration testing systems, thermal/TVAC chambers, spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, etc) Experience with test automation and the use of software tools for data acquisition and analysis. Skills Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to drive results in a cross-functional environment. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to interact with executives, customers, and team members. First-principles approach to problem solving and debugging of complex systems. Proficiency in data analysis, reporting tools, and software used in aerospace testing. Knowledge of risk management and failure analysis techniques. Desirable Attributes Experience implementing and tailoring testing to space standards such as SMC-S-016, GSFC-STD-7000, AFSPCMAN 91-710, etc. Experience in software testing for embedded systems and avionics. Familiarity with digital and analog electronics, embedded systems, and control systems To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Capella Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.
Compensation
The annual salary range for this role as it is posted is $173,671 - $217,114. The final job level and annual salary will be determined based on the education, qualification, knowledge, skills, ability, and experience of the final candidate(s), specific office location and calibrated against relevant market data and internal team equity. Benefits listed in this posting may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Capella Space.
Benefits/Perks
In addition to an opportunity to take part in an innovative, collaborative and fast-growing business with a highly motivated and skilled team, we also take pride in taking care of our employees. Here are just a few ways that we show our appreciation:
We provide extensive medical coverage, including strong vision and dental plans, flexible spending accounts, and additional supplemental health options. 401K Plan to invest in your long-term retirement goals Generous Parental Leave Paid Flexible Time Off Policy Lifestyle Spending Account Commuter & Parking Benefits Mental Health Resources Monthly Phone Stipend Furry friends? We’ve got you covered with dog-friendly work environment & them with pet insurance options
Equal Opportunity Statement
Capella Space is an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, and upholding equitable hiring practices.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic under federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the CA Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process. If you need assistance or require an accommodation during the job application process, please notify recruiting@capellaspace.com
To learn more about us, explore our site: https://www.capellaspace.com/ and follow us on
X
and
LinkedIn
to see our SAR imagery! Seniority level
Seniority level Director Employment type
Employment type Full-time Job function
Job function Quality Assurance Industries Defense and Space Manufacturing Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Capella Space by 2x Sign in to set job alerts for “Test Engineering Manager” roles.
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Senior Manager, Development Test Engineering
role at
Capella Space 2 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants Join to apply for the
Senior Manager, Development Test Engineering
role at
Capella Space Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features. About Capella Space
Capella Space is a pioneer in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite technology and space-based signal intelligence. We empower government, commercial, and research organizations around the world with high-resolution, timely Earth insights that drive better decisions - across defense and intelligence, disaster response, infrastructure monitoring, environmental protection, energy, and more. About Capella Space
Capella Space is a pioneer in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite technology and space-based signal intelligence. We empower government, commercial, and research organizations around the world with high-resolution, timely Earth insights that drive better decisions - across defense and intelligence, disaster response, infrastructure monitoring, environmental protection, energy, and more.
As a U.S.-based company, Capella designs, builds, and operates an advanced constellation of commercial SAR satellites in orbit today. Our satellites are backed by a fully automated tasking, collection, and delivery platform, delivering fast, reliable insights when and where our customers need them most. As a subsidiary of IonQ, a global leader in quantum computing, Capella is charting the future of Earth observation. Together, we’re on a mission to bring quantum computing to space - unlocking ultra-secure, encrypted uplink and downlink capabilities, reducing latency, and enabling powerful on-orbit analytics. This visionary integration of advanced remote sensing and quantum technology will support customers with the highest level of data fidelity, security, and speed.
Capella was named one of Fast Company’s 10 Most Innovative Companies in Space in 2023 and is a trusted partner of the U.S. Space Force, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, NASA, the National Reconnaissance Office, and allied government agencies worldwide. Built In recognized IonQ on three of its 2025 Best Places to Work lists.
What Makes Capella Unique?
At Capella, we don’t just imagine what’s possible - we build it. We’re a mission-driven team fueled by curiosity, grit, and a shared commitment to redefining the limits of space innovation. Our environment is fast paced, rooted in humble collaboration. Every team member plays a critical role in shaping the future of our technology and our industry. If you're ready to roll up your sleeves and help solve problems that others call impossible—we're the place for you. We believe great ideas can come from anywhere, and we thrive on diverse perspectives that help us move faster, think deeper, and push the boundaries of innovation. Whether you're new to the space industry or a seasoned expert, you'll find a team that values creativity, integrity, and bold thinking. Join us as we build the future of SAR—and take quantum to space.
About The Role & Team
We are seeking a highly experienced and dynamic Senior Manager for our Development Test Engineering team to lead and oversee our satellite development testing. The Development Test Engineering team is responsible for the verification and validation of requirements for our next generation components, subsystems and satellites.
Role Responsibilities
Team Leadership & Management Lead, mentor, and develop a team of test engineers in the design, execution, and evaluation of test programs for aerospace systems. Define performance objectives, monitor team progress, and conduct performance reviews. Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the design verification engineering team.
Test Strategy, Architecture, & Planning Develop our approach and architect our design verification and qualification testing infrastructure. Develop and implement comprehensive test strategies to ensure product safety, quality, and compliance with industry standards. Oversee the creation and execution of test plans, test cases, and test reports for both hardware and software systems. Ensure test activities align with project timelines, performance metrics, and quality requirements.
Test Execution & Oversight Lead the execution of complex testing processes, including environmental, structural, and flight testing, to validate system performance. Ensure adherence to industry standards and regulatory requirements. Analyze test data and oversee the identification and resolution of test failures or discrepancies. Ensure detailed documentation of all test procedures, results, and compliance records.
Cross-Functional Collaboration Collaborate with engineering teams, including design, systems, and manufacturing, to define test requirements and refine product specifications. Provide technical guidance and act as the key point of contact for all test-related issues throughout the development lifecycle. Coordinate with key stakeholders to develop our acceptance testing approach and transition to production.
Continuous Improvement Drive continuous improvement in testing processes, methodologies, and tools. Implement best practices for risk management, failure analysis, and reliability testing.
Qualifications
Education Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field. Experience 10+ years of experience testing complex high-reliability systems, such as aircraft, spacecraft, automotive, military or medical systems, including 5+ years in a leadership or management role. Hands-on experience with a wide range of complex test equipment and tools (e.g., vibration testing systems, thermal/TVAC chambers, spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, etc) Experience with test automation and the use of software tools for data acquisition and analysis. Skills Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to drive results in a cross-functional environment. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to interact with executives, customers, and team members. First-principles approach to problem solving and debugging of complex systems. Proficiency in data analysis, reporting tools, and software used in aerospace testing. Knowledge of risk management and failure analysis techniques. Desirable Attributes Experience implementing and tailoring testing to space standards such as SMC-S-016, GSFC-STD-7000, AFSPCMAN 91-710, etc. Experience in software testing for embedded systems and avionics. Familiarity with digital and analog electronics, embedded systems, and control systems To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Capella Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.
Compensation
The annual salary range for this role as it is posted is $173,671 - $217,114. The final job level and annual salary will be determined based on the education, qualification, knowledge, skills, ability, and experience of the final candidate(s), specific office location and calibrated against relevant market data and internal team equity. Benefits listed in this posting may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Capella Space.
Benefits/Perks
In addition to an opportunity to take part in an innovative, collaborative and fast-growing business with a highly motivated and skilled team, we also take pride in taking care of our employees. Here are just a few ways that we show our appreciation:
We provide extensive medical coverage, including strong vision and dental plans, flexible spending accounts, and additional supplemental health options. 401K Plan to invest in your long-term retirement goals Generous Parental Leave Paid Flexible Time Off Policy Lifestyle Spending Account Commuter & Parking Benefits Mental Health Resources Monthly Phone Stipend Furry friends? We’ve got you covered with dog-friendly work environment & them with pet insurance options
Equal Opportunity Statement
Capella Space is an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, and upholding equitable hiring practices.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic under federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the CA Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process. If you need assistance or require an accommodation during the job application process, please notify recruiting@capellaspace.com
To learn more about us, explore our site: https://www.capellaspace.com/ and follow us on
X
and
to see our SAR imagery! Seniority level
Seniority level Director Employment type
Employment type Full-time Job function
Job function Quality Assurance Industries Defense and Space Manufacturing Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Capella Space by 2x Sign in to set job alerts for “Test Engineering Manager” roles.
Alameda, CA $160,000.00-$220,000.00 20 hours ago San Mateo, CA $195,500.00-$293,300.00 4 weeks ago San Francisco, CA $205,000.00-$260,000.00 3 days ago San Francisco, CA $210,000.00-$290,000.00 2 months ago San Francisco County, CA $176,000.00-$220,000.00 22 hours ago San Francisco, CA $212,000.00-$272,000.00 2 days ago San Francisco, CA $200,000.00-$300,000.00 4 months ago San Francisco, CA $200,000.00-$250,000.00 3 months ago Test & Product Development Engineering Manager (Manufacturing)
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San Pablo, CA $165,375.00-$289,438.00 1 week ago San Francisco, CA $225,000.00-$265,000.00 1 month ago Oakland, CA $165,374.00-$250,542.00 1 week ago San Francisco, CA $160,000.00-$200,000.00 16 hours ago San Francisco, CA $176,490.00-$245,100.00 2 weeks ago San Francisco, CA $186,300.00-$269,075.00 3 weeks ago San Francisco, CA $220,000.00-$260,000.00 4 weeks ago San Francisco, CA $200,000.00-$300,000.00 3 days ago San Francisco, CA $132,082.50-$226,820.00 4 days ago We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.
#J-18808-Ljbffr