Role: Satellite Checkout Engineer
Employment Type: Full Time
Educational Qualification: B.E./B.Tech/M.S/M.Tech in Electrical & Electronics (or Instrumentation) Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
Work Experience: Minimum 3 years of experience in Checkout / Embedded Software Quality Engineering & Assurance / Software AIT within the aerospace, satellite manufacturing, automotive, or defence industries.
Role Description:
Contribute as a part of the Satellite Checkout group in the Space Department of Pixxel.
Responsibilities & Duties:
- As a part of Pixxel's Checkout group, you will be responsible for the integration, testing, and validation of the spacecraft system's software and hardware.
- You'll develop and execute comprehensive system test plans, perform analysis, and document outcomes. You'll play a pivotal role in recording and categorizing defects, while also summarizing test results for clear communication.
- You'll investigate and analyze defects, reproducing scenarios using ground-based rigs to aid Root Cause Analysis (RCA). Develop and implement tests to address issues effectively.
- You'll create, validate, and manage automated test scripts based on system requirements, driving efficiency and accuracy in testing procedures.
- You would be expected to participate in various satellite test campaigns like Thermo Vacuum Cycling campaigns, Hardware-In-Loop Tests, Day-In-Life Tests, EMI/EMC Campaign, etc., as well as component-level unit level performance tests.
Desirable Skills & Certifications:
- Experience in reading and understanding datasheets, technical reports, software release notes, wiring diagrams, schematics and test plans is a must. Should be well-versed in providing technical feedback to the design team.
- Strong understanding and experience in Avionics / Payload Systems, cross-functional system-level knowledge of various satellite systems (Electrical Power, Sensors, Actuators, Radios, Propulsion, etc), result analysis, and multi-system testing.
- Demonstrated experience in successfully running production-level test campaigns for products in aerospace / automotive / defense sectors. Experience in testing of satellites - will be a bonus.
- High proficiency in Python, C, and C++. Comfortable with Linux-based tools.
- Strong written and interpersonal skills for effective collaboration with various subsystems in the space department's design teams.
- You will have to be impeccable with your documentation - to record test plans, results & be able to deliver technical feedback to the design teams.
Candidate Acumen: A strong desire to work in an unstructured, high-growth, fast-paced start-up environment. Ability to deal with challenges and work out innovative solutions to tackle them. Building a team and guiding them towards success.
Benefits:
Health insurance coverage
Unlimited leaves & flexible working hours
Role-based remote work and work-from-home benefit
Relocation assistance
Professional Mental Wellness services
Creche facility for primary caregivers (limited to India)
Employee Stock Options for all hires
About Pixxel
Pixxel is a space data company and spacecraft manufacturer redefining Earth observation with hyperspectral imaging. The company's first three commercial hyperspectral satellitesFirefliesdeliver imagery at 5-meter resolution and 135+ spectral bands, providing 50x richer detail than traditional Earth observation systems and unlocking insights across agriculture, climate, energy, environment, and more.
Once fully deployed, Pixxel's constellation of 18-24 satellites will capture imagery across up to 250 bands in VNIR and SWIR ranges, with a 40 km swath and daily global revisit capability. Pixxel's most unique strength is its full-stack approach, integrating every layer of the value chain from satellite hardware and manufacturing to AI-powered analytics.
Pixxel's satellite constellation is complemented by Aurora, its in-house Earth Observation Studio that simplifies satellite imagery analysis and democratises remote sensing for all. Designed to make hyperspectral data more accessible, Aurora by Pixxel combines high-frequency imagery with AI-powered tools to generate actionable insights, even for users without technical backgrounds. The third pillar of Pixxel's ecosystem is its in-house satellite manufacturing capability. Beyond building its own spacecraft, Pixxel also provides satellite systems and subsystems to other organisations. This dual capacity sets it apart in a sector where most companies focus on either payload design or data operations, but not both.
Pixxel's team is young but deeply mission-aligned, with a culture rooted in curiosity, speed, and long-term thinking. As the company grows its constellation and expands Aurora, the focus remains on making space-based insights practical, scalable, and genuinely helpful so that the health of the planet becomes measurable and action becomes possible.
Pixxel was the only Indian startup selected for the Techstars Starburst Space Accelerator in Los Angeles and has been recognised in TIME's Best Inventions of 2023, Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies, and Via Satellite's Top Innovators list.
For more information, see our Careers page or follow Pixxel on LinkedIn and X/Twitter.
Culture
Pixxel is an organization where we enable our employees to work on world-changing problems that they are passionate about, and a place where they can be their best selves day in and day out while ensuring they have fun every day.
Central to our employee-first ethos is a commitment to ensuring that every team member feels valued and heard. We nurture a healthy and supportive work environment where we prioritise well-being and growth in all aspects of life
Link to Pixxel in Media
