Hardware Test Engineering Manager

Job description

At Kepler Communications, we're not just imagining the future of on-demand space connectivity - we're leading it! Our mission is to provide real-time on-orbit connectivity for critical missions, enabling a new era of data-driven intelligence and innovation. With 33 satellites launched to date, Kepler operates the first commercial optical data relay constellation, enabling real-time, continuous space communications while supporting advanced on-orbit compute and hosted payload capabilities.  Industry-leading technology is only part of the story. What sets Kepler apart is our team: bold thinkers, skilled builders, and passionate problem-solvers who thrive on pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in space. We believe great ideas come from diverse perspectives, and we’re committed to creating an environment where you can grow, lead, and make a global impact.    If you’re ready to reach higher, move faster, and do work that shapes the future space economy - this is your launchpad. Come build the future with Kepler!      What We Offer: * Competitive compensation with a robust equity plan to share in our success.  * Comprehensive coverage for 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 to support your growth.  * Fully stocked Toronto office kitchen with snacks, drinks, games and top-notch kitchen appliances.  * Town Halls, Celebration Calls, and Company-wide events to stay connected and engaged.  * We’re a certified Great Place to Work®, seven years in a row! We are seeking a Manager, Hardware Test Engineering to lead the hardware test engineering function at Kepler, supporting the development and delivery of next-generation space hardware.  Hardware Test Engineering supports multiple concurrent efforts across integrated product teams (IPTs) and program teams. The Hardware Test Engineering team actively collaborates with Project Managers, Supply Chain, Electrical, RF, Mechanical, and Embedded Systems Engineering. We invest heavily to deliver reliable space hardware at scale. We are looking for a Hardware Test Engineering Manager to lead and grow the team responsible for producing objective evidence that Kepler hardware can survive manufacturing, launch, operation, and mission life with quantified confidence. This role is accountable for building the people, processes, test infrastructure, and cross-functional operation that turn hardware validation, verification, reliability, and test data into a strategic capability for Kepler. This is a manager-level role with strong technical scope. The successful candidate will lead what is currently an electronics-focused Hardware Test team, while building the foundation for a broader organization spanning electronics test, mechanical and environmental test, test automation, and data systems. The role balances execution of current programs with investment in scalable systems that reduce technical risk, improve throughput, and support future portfolio growth. Key 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 Required Skills & 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 • Demonstrates a 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 Bonus Points: • Experience working in Linux environments, including command-line tools and terminal workflows • Familiarity with networking fundamentals such as SSH, authentication, secure access, and basic connectivity troubleshooting • Basic experience with databases for test data storage, retrieval, and analysis, including SQL or NoSQL systems • Experience with space hardware design, verification, qualification, acceptance testing, environmental test, mission assurance, or reliability engineering • Experience scaling a test engineering function in a low-volume, high-complexity hardware environment • Familiarity with reliability tools and methods such as FMEA, fault trees, Weibull analysis, reliability growth, life testing, anomaly review boards, and corrective action systems • Experience with test automation, hardware-in-the-loop systems, data infrastructure, analytics, predictive health monitoring, or automated evidence generation • Experience planning capital equipment, lab capability, environmental test facilities, MGSE, or other strategic infrastructure investments Employment Equity & Accommodation Statement  Kepler Communications is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, including women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.    If you require accommodation during any stage of the recruitment process, please contact our People & Culture team at accommodation@kepler.space, and we will work with you to meet your needs.