Avionics Test Software Engineer

About the role

Quantum Space is redefining mobility and maneuverability in space. Our high-mobility spacecraft platforms support national security, civil, and commercial missions with unmatched flexibility and propulsion capability. We build fast and iterate quickly.

Who We’re Looking For

We are seeking a technically driven Avionics Test Software Engineer to develop automated test software, Electrical Ground Support Equipment (EGSE) software, and hardware/software integration test infrastructure for spacecraft avionics supporting Ranger missions.

In this role, you will develop reusable test applications, instrument interfaces, and automated test sequencing capabilities used to verify spacecraft avionics hardware and software. You will work closely with avionics, flight software, electrical, systems, and test engineers to build reliable test infrastructure, troubleshoot complex hardware/software interactions, and ensure test results are accurate, repeatable, and defensible.

This position is ideal for an engineer who enjoys working at the intersection of software and hardware, solving difficult integration problems, and building robust test systems that directly contribute to flight readiness and mission success.

Where You’ll Make an Impact

Develop automated test software and EGSE software supporting spacecraft avionics development and verification

Design and develop reusable test applications, instrument interfaces, device drivers, test sequencing capabilities, and data acquisition tools

Develop software to control laboratory instrumentation and communicate with embedded avionics hardware

Build maintainable and extensible test frameworks that separate hardware interfaces, test logic, configuration, and data handling

Develop requirements-based verification tests, including positive and negative testing, boundary conditions, failure scenarios, and fault injection

Support hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and hardware/software integration testing of spacecraft avionics

Develop automated functional and performance tests for flight computers and other avionics hardware

Troubleshoot complex hardware, firmware, software, communication interface, and test equipment issues using systematic root-cause analysis

Verify and validate automated test software and test equipment to ensure accurate and reliable results

Implement test logging and data collection practices that provide traceability and reproducibility across hardware and software configurations

Collaborate with avionics, flight software, systems, electrical, and test teams to develop verification approaches and resolve integration issues

Participate in code reviews and contribute to software development, configuration management, and continuous integration practices

Operate within a fast-paced development environment focused on rapid execution, technical excellence, and mission success

What It Takes

Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline

Experience developing automated test software using LabVIEW, Python, C/C++, or equivalent programming environments

Experience developing software that controls laboratory instrumentation and communicates with embedded hardware

Experience developing reusable and maintainable automated test applications, frameworks, or test infrastructure

Experience troubleshooting and diagnosing complex hardware/software integration issues

Understanding of software verification principles, including requirements-based testing, boundary conditions, negative testing, and fault injection

Experience verifying that automated test software and test equipment are operating correctly and producing reliable results

Familiarity with software configuration management and version control tools such as Git

Strong software debugging, analytical, and problem-solving skills

Nice-to-Have Experience

Experience developing automated test systems or EGSE for spacecraft, aerospace, defense, or other complex embedded systems

Experience developing test frameworks with modular device drivers, reusable interfaces, automated test sequencing, logging, assertions, and configuration management

Experience communicating with hardware over interfaces such as Ethernet, TCP/UDP, RS-422/485, SpaceWire, SPI, I2C, or similar protocols

Experience testing asynchronous hardware and developing software that accounts for timing, synchronization, timeouts, and communication errors

Experience with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing and simulation environments

Experience developing automated power-on, functional, or acceptance testing for flight computers or other avionics hardware

Experience with automated fault injection and verification of fault detection, isolation, and recovery behavior

Experience using laboratory instrumentation, protocol analyzers, data acquisition systems, or similar test equipment

Experience developing unit tests, simulated instrument interfaces, or other methods for validating automated test software

Experience with CI/CD pipelines, automated builds, automated testing, code reviews, and software configuration management

Understanding of embedded firmware and flight software architectures

Experience working with spacecraft avionics or flight hardware

Experience supporting fast-paced aerospace, defense, or commercial space programs

What You’ll Get

Ownership – Take responsibility for automated test software and infrastructure that directly supports the development and verification of mission-critical spacecraft avionics

Innovation – Build robust test frameworks and automation capabilities that accelerate spacecraft development and improve verification efficiency

Impact – Help ensure spacecraft avionics and flight systems perform reliably through rigorous, repeatable, and defensible testing

Growth – Work across avionics, flight software, electrical, systems, and test engineering while expanding your expertise in spacecraft hardware/software integration

Compensation – Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, HSA, 401(k) matching, and equity participation

Location: Rockville, MD or Hawthorne, CA

Base Salary: $110,000 to $160,000

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Quantum Space's total compensation package.

Additional Requirements

To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual per 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Apply now. Join us in building the next generation of spacecraft.