Satellite & Payload Checkout Engineer

• *Title:** Satellite \& Payload Checkout Engineer

• *Industry:** Space Technology

• *Location:** Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India (with travel to integration and launch sites)

• *Role Type:** Full\-time Experience: 0\-3 years

• *About the Role:**

PierSight Space is looking for a Junior Satellite \& Payload Checkout Engineer to join the AIT/EGSE team. You'll write the software that stands in for the real world during satellite testing: test modules that control ground checkout hardware and emulate peripherals (sensors, actuators, payload interfaces) so that the Flight Software (FSW) running on the OBC\-PLC can be exercised, validated, and debugged before the satellite ever leaves the ground.

This is a hands\-on coding role. You'll spend most of your time writing and debugging test scripts and peripheral emulators, not managing programs \- reporting to the Lead Satellite Ground Checkout/EGSE Engineer.

• *Responsibilities:**

• Write test modules (Python/C/C\+\+) that command, monitor, and validate FSW behavior on the OBC\-PLC over standard spacecraft interfaces (UART, SPI, I2C, CAN, RS\-422/485, GPIO).
• Build software emulators for satellite and payload peripherals (sensors, actuators, SAR/EO payload interfaces, power switching) so FSW can be tested without full hardware present.
• Develop and maintain telemetry/telecommand (TM/TC) test scripts against ICDs, including packet encode/decode and command sequencing.
• Support functional test execution at FlatSat, subsystem, and satellite level \- running scripts, logging results, and flagging anomalies.
• Debug test failures using logs, protocol analyzers, oscilloscopes, and JTAG/debug interfaces; distinguish FSW bugs from test harness or EGSE issues.
• Write instrument control software (Python, C/C\+\+) to drive lab and RF test equipment (signal generators, spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, power meters) over GPIB/USB/Ethernet (SCPI, VISA).
• Build and maintain test dashboards for live visualization and logging of telemetry, test status, and instrument readings during checkout campaigns.
• Carry out RF measurements (payload/antenna characterization, link tests, etc.) using RF test instruments as part of satellite and payload checkout.
• Maintain version control and documentation for test scripts, emulator configs, dashboards, and test procedures.

Build checkout/emulation setups end\-to\-end: generate schematics and BOMs, raise purchase requests for parts, and integrate the hardware and software into a working solution.

• Assist senior engineers with EGSE bring\-up, test readiness reviews, and test procedure updates.

• *Required Qualifications:**

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Electronics, Computer, or Aerospace Engineering (or equivalent).
• Working proficiency in Python and C/C\+\+, including writing software to control lab/test instruments.
• Coursework or project experience with embedded communication protocols (UART, SPI, I2C, CAN).

Comfort reading schematics, ICDs, and datasheets.

• *Preferred Qualifications (Nice to Have):**

• Internship, academic, or hobbyist project experience with embedded systems, satellites, or robotics.
• Exposure to test automation frameworks (pytest, unittest) or hardware\-in\-the\-loop testing.
• Basic familiarity with lab equipment (multimeter, oscilloscope, logic analyzer, power supply).
• Familiarity with RTOS concepts or bare\-metal embedded firmware.
• Prior exposure to SAR/EO payloads or spacecraft subsystems.
• LabVIEW experience.
• Previous experience with automated instrument control (SCPI/VISA\-based test setups).

• *Soft Skills \& Attitude:**

• Curious and methodical \- comfortable digging into a failing test until you find the root cause.
• Careful and disciplined with documentation and configuration control.
• Eager to learn from senior AIT/EGSE engineers and take ownership of assigned test modules.
• Willing to own a task and complete that in\-time during critical test campaigns.