RF Communications Test Engineer at Columbus Technologies and Services

Job description

OVERVIEW Must be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident Estimated Duration: Ongoing W2 Position with full benefits Location: Houston, TX (onsite) Offer contingent on ability to successfully pass a background check and drug screen The US base salary range for this full-time position is $110-150K + benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. JOB DESCRIPTION Columbus Technologies and Services, Inc. is a professional services company supporting government and commercial clients with program management, engineering, cybersecurity, and technology solutions. We are mission-driven and people-focused, combining technical excellence with a collaborative, high-integrity culture where employees are trusted, supported, and empowered. At Columbus, your work is visible and meaningful, your growth is encouraged, and your contributions directly support important missions and long-term client success. We value excellence, accountability, innovation, and respect—and we are committed to providing an environment where professionals can build lasting, impactful careers. Seeking an experienced Communications Test Lead to drive integration and test strategies for flight-critical and mission-critical communications systems in space and on the ground. This role combines technical leadership, process ownership, and hands-on testing to ensure our space communications subsystems and ground systems have the highest standards of performance, safety, and reliability. • Technical Leadership: Lead the communications test strategy across space flight communications subsystems and ground systems. • Team Leadership: Complete performance reviews, provide feedback to team members throughout the year, and work with team members to define future career goals. • Process Ownership: Establish and enforce engineering and production test processes aligned across multiple missions and mission types. • Verification & Validation: Manage requirements traceability, verification, and validation (V&V) activities. Establish procedures and methodologies for software verification and validation. • Testing: Mentor and lead test engineers that will develop, maintain, and execute test plans, procedures, and automated test frameworks. • Collaboration: Foster a collaborative and innovative work environment, promoting knowledge sharing, teamwork, and continuous improvement across the organization. • Agile Development: Participation in software sprint across multiple projects. REQUIRED SKILLS • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field. • Minimum 5 years of experience in space and/or ground communications systems test. • Proven track record of testing flight and/or ground space communication systems. • Strong knowledge of V&V methodologies and test automation. • Proficiency with test tools, defect tracking, and version control. • Experience with CI/CD tools and automated test infrastructure. • Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with multidisciplinary teams. • Strong problem-solving abilities and a proactive approach to addressing technical challenges. • Eligibility to work in the United States without sponsorship. DESIRED SKILLS • Experience with lunar, deep-space, or satellite communication systems. • Experience with Software Defined Radios (SDRs), optical, and/or RF communications systems. • Experience with communication analysis tools such as MATLAB, Simulink, STK, FreeFlyer, GMAT, or equivalent. • Experience with test equipment including spectrum analyzers, vector network analyzers, signal generators, and oscilloscopes. • Familiarity with government standards, CCSDS protocols, and spectrum management activities. • Experience supporting communication subsystem integration, verification, environmental testing, and mission operations. • Experience with engineering and production test activities. Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Columbus is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, marital status, age, national origin, veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. As a federal contractor, Columbus participates in the E-Verify Program to confirm eligibility to work in the United States.

Requirements

Must-haves

Must be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident Estimated Duration: Ongoing W2 Position with full benefits
Location: Houston, TX (onsite)
Offer contingent on ability to successfully pass a background check and drug screen
Technical Leadership: Lead the communications test strategy across space flight communications subsystems and ground systems.
Team Leadership: Complete performance reviews, provide feedback to team members throughout the year, and work with team members to define future career goals.
Process Ownership: Establish and enforce engineering and production test processes aligned across multiple missions and mission types.
Verification & Validation: Manage requirements traceability, verification, and validation (V&V) activities. Establish procedures and methodologies for software verification and validation.
Testing: Mentor and lead test engineers that will develop, maintain, and execute test plans, procedures, and automated test frameworks.
Collaboration: Foster a collaborative and innovative work environment, promoting knowledge sharing, teamwork, and continuous improvement across the organization.
Agile Development: Participation in software sprint across multiple projects.
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
Minimum 5 years of experience in space and/or ground communications systems test.
Proven track record of testing flight and/or ground space communication systems.
Strong knowledge of V&V methodologies and test automation.
Proficiency with test tools, defect tracking, and version control.
Experience with CI/CD tools and automated test infrastructure.

Nice-to-haves

Experience with lunar, deep-space, or satellite communication systems.
Experience with Software Defined Radios (SDRs), optical, and/or RF communications systems.
Experience with communication analysis tools such as MATLAB, Simulink, STK, FreeFlyer, GMAT, or equivalent.
Experience with test equipment including spectrum analyzers, vector network analyzers, signal generators, and oscilloscopes.
Familiarity with government standards, CCSDS protocols, and spectrum management activities.
Experience supporting communication subsystem integration, verification, environmental testing, and mission operations.
Experience with engineering and production test activities.
Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action

Application prep

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Keywords to mirror

agileci/cd

Platform: adp-workforce-now
Effort: medium