Manager, Component Test & Infrastructure

Location: This role is based onsite at our office in Louisville, CO.

Travel: Up to 10%

Job ID: 581

About Capella

Capella, an IonQ company, spans national security, advanced sensing, and next-generation compute to deliver secure, mission-ready intelligence. Capella’s culture is built on collaboration, rigorous engineering, and a shared commitment to delivering solutions that strengthen global stability and security. Team members work side-byside with some of the most innovative minds in space systems, quantum-enabled technologies, and mission-critical operations.

Capella values curiosity, resilience, and a willingness to tackle hard problems with precision and creativity. Capella welcomes and encourages applicants whose perspectives are historically underrepresented in technology, national security, and aerospace. No prior space experience is required. Diverse viewpoints strengthen Capella’s ability to innovate and deliver meaningful impact for partners worldwide.

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The Role

We are seeking an experienced Manager, Component Test Infrastructure to lead spacecraft component verification activities and test infrastructure development in support of spacecraft production and test operations.

This role is responsible for ensuring spacecraft components, subsystems, and RF hardware are properly verified prior to spacecraft integration while also owning the test infrastructure required to support efficient, reliable, and scalable testing. The successful candidate will lead a team of test engineers and work closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and Spacecraft Test to ensure hardware readiness and production success.

The Spacecraft Production and Test organization works closely together and collaborates throughout the company. From component production and testing through spacecraft build, environmental testing, and launch vehicle integration, we work hard to navigate technical and schedule challenges to deliver safe, functional spacecraft. This requires schedule flexibility during challenging times, but we seek to maintain work-life balance in return.

Responsibilities

Lead a team of component test, RF test, and test automation engineers supporting spacecraft production and development programs

Own component-level acceptance testing and verification activities for electronic assemblies, RF hardware, and spacecraft subsystems

Develop and execute test strategies, plans, and procedures to verify component performance, quality, and readiness for spacecraft integration

Drive investigation, troubleshooting, and resolution of component test failures and anomalies

Partner with Engineering to improve product testability, manufacturability, and verification coverage

Develop and maintain automated test systems, software, and data analysis tools to improve test efficiency and repeatability

Own all Ground Support Equipment (GSE) required to support component and spacecraft testing activities

Own development and maintenance of representative test beds, flatsats, and hardware simulators used for risk reduction, troubleshooting, and integration support

Manage calibration programs, preventative maintenance activities, and lifecycle planning for test equipment and infrastructure assets

Develop business cases and recommendations for infrastructure investments, test station expansion, and capacity improvements

Establish and maintain standard architecture, processes, and documentation for test systems and infrastructure

Partner with Spacecraft Test leadership to ensure test infrastructure supports current and future production requirements

Collaborate with Satellite Operations and Engineering teams to incorporate on-orbit performance data, flight anomalies, and lessons learned into component verification strategies

Establish KPIs to measure test throughput, equipment utilization, infrastructure availability, and overall organizational effectiveness

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Physics, or related technical field plus 8+ years of relevant experience, or master's degree plus 6+ years of relevant experience

Experience leading engineering teams in aerospace, defense, electronics manufacturing, or related industries

Experience developing and executing hardware verification and acceptance test programs

Strong understanding of electronic, RF, and electromechanical systems testing

Experience with automated test equipment, instrumentation, and data acquisition systems

Experience developing or maintainin…