Test technician Jobs in Chula Vista, CA

Founded in 2015, Global Air Logistics and Training, Inc. (GALT Aerospace) a rapid innovator, solving the world's critical security challenges to enable warriors to win...decisively. GALT Aerospace subscribes to Col John Boyd's tenet "Wars are won by people, ideas and equipment, IN THAT ORDER." Warfighters need tools (equipment) that are flexible. GALT Aerospace will always satisfy the warfighter with such tools. GALT Aerospace provides simple, effective information capabilities to support all levels of war and drive information to the lowest levels possible, enabling faster decision cycles and decisive results. GALT Aerospace uniquely focuses on architecture solutions, effective open systems integration, and rapid prototyping, fielding, and operations.

At GALT Aerospace, employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary and nationally relevant systems. GALT Aerospace looks for people who align with its Core Values:

• The Right Thing:
  • We work on important things that we are passionate about and will make a difference for the US National Security.
  • We are ethical and forthright and expect the same from our employees.
  • We operate with integrity in all things; we do the RIGHT THING.
• Trust and Respect:
  • We always strive to earn and foster trust.
  • We Act and communicate with respect.
  • We foster mutually beneficial relationships.
• Add Value:
  • We take ownership of our tasks and deliver results to our customers, partners and each other.
  • We champion individual expertise, creativity, and accomplishments.
  • We recognize that collaborative teams achieve even greater results.

Job Location

San Diego, CA. On-site, with possible occasional telecommuting. Minimal domestic travel required 15%-30% of the time.

Job Description

GALT Aerospace is looking for a full-time Engineering Technician to join our Integration and Test team. In this position, you will be the "hands-on" partner to our Systems Engineer Integration and Test (SEIT) team. You will play a crucial role in bridging the gap between digital network configuration and physical RF execution in both the System Integration Lab (SIL) and during live developmental testing in the field.

Your day-to-day responsibilities will include:

• Systems Integration: Support SEITs in the physical setup and logical configuration of networked communication nodes.
• RF Validation: Perform hardware-level RF testing, including measuring VSWR and Insertion Loss to ensure signal integrity across the gateway architecture.
• Lab Operations: Maintain the SIL environment; rack-mount servers, route RF/ethernet cabling, and manage the calibration of test assets.
• Test Support: Assist in executing test cards during lab and field events; monitor system health logs and perform real-time hardware/software troubleshooting.
• System Imaging: Capture and deploy system images (Windows/Linux) to gateway hardware and tactical radios.
• Mission Planning: Assist in the physical loading of cryptographic keys and mission plans into tactical radio systems (Link 16, TTNT, etc.).
• Field Execution: Deploy to the field/flight line to set up ground stations, install podded systems and support ground and live flight testing.

Required Skills, Experience, and Education

• Systems Administration: 2+ years of experience maintaining Linux and Windows environments, including CLI proficiency.
• RF Proficiency: Working knowledge of RF signal flow and hands-on experience with Spectrum Analyzers, Power Meters, and VNAs.
• Networking Fundamentals: Solid understanding of routing, switching, VLANs, and IP subnetting.
• Hardware Maintenance: Experience with server hardware, tactical radio systems, and MIL-SPEC cabling.
• Field Aptitude: Ability to troubleshoot complex systems under pressure in austere or flight-line environments.
• Education: Associate's degree in a STEM field with 4+ years of relevant technical experience, or a bachelor's degree in a STEM field with 1+ year of experience; equivalent professional or military experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Clearance: US Citizenship required with a minimum of an active Interim Secret clearance. Must be able to obtain and maintain an active Secret clearance.

Preferred Skills, Experience and Education

• Tools: Proven experience in system-level event management and fault isolation, utilizing Wireshark or similar protocol analyzers to diagnose network communication issues and validate data bus integrity.
• Tactical Data Links: Familiarity with military communication systems (CDL, L-16, SADL).
• Automation: Basic familiarity with Python, Bash, or Ansible to assist in automated test execution.
• Certifications: CompTIA Security+ or Network+ is highly desired.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to carry 50 pounds
• Must be able to sit or stand for 8 hours at a time
• Climb/descend, work atop, and traverse certain machinery

At GALT Aerospace, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as one grows and develops within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $85,000-$115,000, and a specific candidate's base pay will depend on their skills, qualifications, experience, and location.