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Hardware Test Engineering Manager

Kepler· Engineering – Hardware Test
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Hybrid (Toronto, Ontario)Full-time RegularPosted 4mo ago

About the role

Manager-level role leading the hardware test engineering function at Kepler, supporting development and delivery of next-generation space hardware and building scalable test capabilities across electronics, mechanical, environmental test, automation, and data systems.

Responsibilities

  • Lead a hardware test engineering team delivering defined hardware test subsystems, validation infrastructure, test procedures, fixtures, automation, dashboards, and evidence packages across active programs
  • Oversee execution with moderate to high technical complexity, including prototype bring-up, design validation, qualification and acceptance testing, production test strategy, and reliability test campaigns
  • Maintain sufficient technical depth to guide sound decisions, coach engineers through difficult issues, and intervene when critical execution risks require support
  • Build cross-functional alignment with systems, electrical, RF, firmware, mechanical, manufacturing, program, supply chain, and quality teams so test requirements, interfaces, decision criteria, and evidence expectations are clear early in the lifecycle
  • Provide design-for-test and validation & verification input during architecture and design reviews to inform decisions through objective evidence and downstream operational risk
  • Help shape and execute the Hardware Test capability roadmap, including expanded mechanical/environmental test, automation, test data capabilities, lab equipment, automated test systems, MGSE, and facilities required to support long-term scale
  • Develop scalable test processes and systems that enable an accelerating satellite production and supports growing program complexity, including standardization of test methods, fixtures, data capture, evidence reviews, and escalation paths
  • Own research and development for advanced methods for accelerated validation, including topics in automation and artificial intelligence
  • Partner with program and business development teams to evaluate upcoming work, estimate test scope, identify resource and facility constraints, and shape plans that balance reliability, schedule, cost, and throughput
  • Set clear expectations, coach, develop, and performance-manage engineers; build a culture of ownership, technical rigor, healthy collaboration, clear communication, and continuous improvement

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field
  • 5+ years of experience in hardware testing, design validation, production test, or related engineering work, including experience leading engineers, technical projects, team leads, and other managers
  • Demonstrated ability to lead and manage a hardware team through product delivery, schedule commitments, quality expectations, dependency management, and cross-functional escalations
  • Willingness to adopt and effectively utilize AI-assisted engineering tools, applying sound judgment to improve productivity, quality, and innovation while continuously adapting to evolving technologies
  • Technical depth in lab and production test methods, including oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, multimeters, and automated test systems
  • Experience developing test strategies, plans, cases, fixtures, scripts, reports, dashboards, and well documented processes for products and subassemblies
  • Experience with at least one scripting or programming language, such as Python, MATLAB, Bash, or C/C++, and the ability to guide scalable automation and data-driven test infrastructure
  • Experience with git or other codebase versioning and management tools
  • Strong communication skills with the ability to connect technical decisions to program and business outcomes, align expectations across teams, and communicate risks and priorities clearly
  • Ability to coach engineers, build ownership, support performance and development conversations, and create an inclusive, accountable team environment
  • Demonstrated willingness and ability to leverage AI-assisted engineering and development tools to improve productivity, design quality, and innovation while adapting to evolving technologies and best practices

Skills

Required:Hardware test leadershipTest strategy and planningLaboratory and production test methodsAutomation & scriptingVersion control

Benefits

  • Competitive compensation with a robust equity plan
  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance—including dependents
  • Unlimited vacation, supportive parental leave policy, and company-wide holiday shutdown
  • Semi-annual company-wide parties and frequent in-office team events
  • Relocation packages available for approved roles
  • $1,500 annual professional development fund
  • Fully stocked Toronto office kitchen with snacks, drinks, games and top-notch kitchen appliances
  • Town Halls, Celebration Calls, and Company-wide events
  • Great Place to Work certification for seven years in a row
Last updated Oct 22, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

About Kepler

Connecting Space. Empowering Earth.

Powered by advanced optical technology, the Kepler Network provides real-time data relay, on-orbit compute, and hosted payload services to form the modern backbone of a connected space ecosystem. These capabilities support defense and intelligence missions, accelerate earth observation insights, and enable scientific, commercial, and humanitarian applications that benefit people and the planet.

space technologycommunicationsearth observationdefensesciencecommercial
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