Manager, Component Test & Infrastructure

About Capella

Capella, an IonQ company, spans national security, advanced sensing, and next-generation compute to deliver secure, mission-ready intelligence. Capella’s culture is built on collaboration, rigorous engineering, and a shared commitment to delivering solutions that strengthen global stability and security. Team members work side-byside with some of the most innovative minds in space systems, quantum-enabled technologies, and mission-critical operations.

Capella values curiosity, resilience, and a willingness to tackle hard problems with precision and creativity. Capella welcomes and encourages applicants whose perspectives are historically underrepresented in technology, national security, and aerospace. No prior space experience is required. Diverse viewpoints strengthen Capella’s ability to innovate and deliver meaningful impact for partners worldwide.

Location: This role is based onsite at our office in Louisville, CO.

Travel: Up to 10%

Job ID: 1705

The Role

We are seeking an experienced Manager, Component Test & Infrastructure to lead spacecraft component verification activities and test infrastructure development in support of spacecraft production and test operations.

This role is responsible for ensuring spacecraft components, subsystems, and RF hardware are properly verified prior to spacecraft integration while also owning the test infrastructure required to support efficient, reliable, and scalable testing. The successful candidate will lead a team of test engineers and work closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and Spacecraft Test to ensure hardware readiness and production success.

The Spacecraft Production and Test organization works closely together and collaborates throughout the company. From component production and testing through spacecraft build, environmental testing, and launch vehicle integration, we work hard to navigate technical and schedule challenges to deliver safe, functional spacecraft. This requires schedule flexibility during challenging times, but we seek to maintain work-life balance in return.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of component test, RF test, and test automation engineers supporting spacecraft production and development programs
• Own component-level acceptance testing and verification activities for electronic assemblies, RF hardware, and spacecraft subsystems
• Develop and execute test strategies, plans, and procedures to verify component performance, quality, and readiness for spacecraft integration
• Drive investigation, troubleshooting, and resolution of component test failures and anomalies
• Partner with Engineering to improve product testability, manufacturability, and verification coverage
• Develop and maintain automated test systems, software, and data analysis tools to improve test efficiency and repeatability
• Own all Ground Support Equipment (GSE) required to support component and spacecraft testing activities
• Own development and maintenance of representative test beds, flatsats, and hardware simulators used for risk reduction, troubleshooting, and integration support
• Manage calibration programs, preventative maintenance activities, and lifecycle planning for test equipment and infrastructure assets
• Develop business cases and recommendations for infrastructure investments, test station expansion, and capacity improvements
• Establish and maintain standard architecture, processes, and documentation for test systems and infrastructure
• Partner with Spacecraft Test leadership to ensure test infrastructure supports current and future production requirements
• Collaborate with Satellite Operations and Engineering teams to incorporate on-orbit performance data, flight anomalies, and lessons learned into component verification strategies
• Establish KPIs to measure test throughput, equipment utilization, infrastructure availability, and overall organizational effectiveness

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Physics, or related technical field plus 8+ years of relevant experience, or master's degree plus 6+ years of relevant experience
• Experience leading engineering teams in aerospace, defense, electronics manufacturing, or related industries
• Experience developing and executing hardware verification and acceptance test programs
• Strong understanding of electronic, RF, and electromechanical systems testing
• Experience with automated test equipment, instrumentation, and data acquisition systems
• Experience developing or maintaining test software and automation frameworks
• Hands-on experience troubleshooting complex hardware and test systems
• Experience designing, deploying, or supporting Ground Support Equipment (GSE)
• Experience managing competing technical priorities while maintaining schedule commitments
• Strong project management, communication, and organizational skills
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to work with spacecraft flight hardware in contamination- and ESD-sensitive environments

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with spacecraft, launch vehicle, or aerospace hardware development programs
• Experience leading component test, integration, or verification organizations
• Experience with RF testing, communications systems, or radar systems
• Experience developing flatsats, hardware simulators, or representative spacecraft test beds
• Experience managing calibration systems and laboratory assets
• Knowledge of spacecraft subsystem architectures and on-orbit operations
• Experience scaling test infrastructure to support production environments
• Familiarity with environmental testing including vibration, thermal vacuum, thermal cycling, and EMI/EMC testing

Required Qualification

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 approximate base salary range for this position is $145,920 - $191,047. The total compensation package includes base salary, bonus, equity, and a range of benefits available on our career site.