Test Technician

Position Title: Test Technician
Requisition ID: 1774
Position Location: Sterling, VA
Position Reports To: Manager, Space Electronic Systems
Supervises Others: No

At Trident Systems Space Electronic Systems (SES) division, we believe in the power of using strong engineering principles to drive innovation and solve complex problems. We foster a culture of rigorous engineering and continuous improvement, leveraging the full knowledge of our organization through collaborative product development processes that include design and peer reviews. We combine our expertise in space electronics with right-sized development processes to create innovative, high-performance space-based electronic systems that meet our customers' evolving needs.

We are a mission partner supporting DoD, Intelligence Community, and Civil space customers. We develop complex, radiation effects mitigated, designs that balance competing requirements in modern space programs, delivering cutting-edge solutions that enable our customers to achieve more in space.

Position Summary

We're looking for an entry, mid-level and/or Senior level (0-2 or 3-6+ years) Test Technicians to support bring-up, functional testing, and validation of embedded avionics systems. This is a hands-on role focused on board-level testing, system-level testing, and documenting real-time issues. You'll work alongside design engineers to ensure hardware performs as expected, from early prototypes to flight-ready systems. We're interested in individuals with a strong sense of responsibility and ownership of their work. This role is engineering-driven and an essential component to system success.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform test, verification, and validation of avionics hardware, including custom PCBAs and embedded systems
  • Tests may include efficiency, power, response time, and capacity measurements
• Support initial hardware bring-up, firmware loading, and debugging
• Execute test plans and procedures based on system and interface requirements
• Use lab tools, especially oscilloscopes and logic analyzers, to troubleshoot and validate digital/analog signals
• Gather, organize, and report test data, working closely with design engineers to ensure performance and reliability
• Assist with non-conformance report (NCR) generation alongside hardware and software teams
• Contribute to and participate in the expansion of production flow
• Gather and set up test equipment suite, defined by product or engineering requirements
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications
(note: this role can be filled at various levels depending on candidate experience)

• Highschool Diploma (or equivalent)
• Proficiency with standard lab equipment (oscilloscopes, power supplies, multimeters, electronic loads, etc.)
• Proficiency with hand tools, including but not limited to screwdrivers, torque wrenches, and tweezers
• Clear and concise communication skills in a cross-functional team
• Basic understanding of electronics fundamentals and debugging techniques
• Detail-oriented and thorough documentation and execution
• Demonstrated experience working in an engineering organization with a structured, methodical approach

Preferred Qualifications

• Scripting experience with Python, Bash, or similar languages for test automation and tooling
• Familiarity with version control (e.g., Git)
• Exposure to aerospace, defense, or high-reliability embedded systems
• Experience in an electronics laboratory with ESD and FOD control plans
• Experience with environmental testing: Thermal Vacuum Chamber (TVAC) or Thermal Chamber
• Experience with mate & demate of equipment from test article
• Experience with digital ticketing/procedural systems such as JIRA, Epsilon3, or Business Central
• Experience with embedded Linux boards, test jigs, or hardware-in-the-loop setups
• Experience loading bitstreams onto an FPGA
• Experience updating firmware, software, or BIOS software
• Experience using Linux and personal computers
• Rework, repair, or polymerics experience, which may include certifications (IPC, NASA)
• Academic experience in STEM

Trident Systems reserves the right to change or assign other duties to this position.

Benefits

Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits including but not limited to:

• Health benefits
  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Basic life with AD&D
  • Short term disability
  • Long term disability
  • Ancillary (Voluntary life with AD&D, accident, critical illness, hospital, and pet)
  • Spending accounts (HSA, FSA, and DCFSA)
• Paid time off
• Holidays
• 401(k) (including company match)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Leaves (Parental, maternity, and military)
• Annual discretionary bonus (for eligible roles)

Trident Solutions is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact recruiting@tridsys.com.

Pay Transparency: The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)