Hybrid Space Test Bench Engineer (FlatSat)

Infinite Orbits; Toulouse; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

International team

Creative work environment

Competitive salary

Job summary

Infinite Orbits in Toulouse is seeking a FlatSat Validation Lead to define, set up, and run a hybrid FlatSat validation bench for onboard software validation. You will interface with software, avionics, and systems teams and report to the Chief of Functional Engineering on progress and anomalies.

You will lead a 3–5 engineer team, organize validation activities, and drive the validation strategy from resources to test campaigns, ensuring timely risk assessment and robust results for space-grade

Qualifications

• Engineering degree or Master's in embedded systems, electronics, industrial computing, control engineering, aeronautics/space or equivalent.
• Significant experience validating and integrating complex embedded systems.
• Professional-level English; French nationality required due to restricted-access projects.
• Experience setting up or operating a test bench / FlatSat / hardware-in-the-loop environments.

Responsibilities

• Define the FlatSat bench architecture aligned with satellite validation needs.
• Lead integration of hardware, simulators, interfaces and software for onboard validation.
• Develop or oversee software components to operate and automate the bench.
• Define interfaces between onboard software, real hardware and simulated elements.
• Manage test resources, acquisition, stimulation and data generation for testing.
• Ensure bench represents the real satellite and document limitations.
• Maintain bench availability and evolution throughout the program.
• Define validation strategy, test levels, and entry/exit criteria.
• Plan and run validation campaigns, analyze results and track anomalies.
• Provide leadership to a 3–5 engineer team and coordinate with cross-functional teams.

Skills

Technical leadership

Organizational planning

Analytical mindset

Autonomy & decision-making

Multidisciplinary communication

Issue synthesis & reporting

Fast-paced development

Education

Engineering degree or Master’s in embedded systems/electronics/industrial computing/control/aerospace

Tools

Python

RTOS

HIL/SIL

Job description

About the Company

Established in 2017, Infinite Orbits is a NewSpace company, based in Toulouse, pushing the boundaries of in-orbit services with cutting-edge spacecraft driven by its own Rendez-Vous solution, an advanced Autonomous Vision-Based Navigation Solution. IO has two generations of missions

• "Orbit Guard" provides Inspection and Space Situational Awareness services in GEO.

• "Endurance" is a docking service capable of extending the life of GEO telecom satellites, by taking over AOCS takeover for 5 years.

About the Role

As part of the development of satellite systems, we are looking for a FlatSat Validation Lead to define, set up and run a hybrid FlatSat validation bench for validating satellite onboard software.

Working at the interface between the software, avionics, systems and validation teams, you will be responsible for the FlatSat validation strategy and its execution, from defining test resources and procedures through to running validation campaigns and tracking anomalies.

You will lead a team of 3 to 5 engineers, organize validation activities and report regularly to the Chief of Functional Engineering, particularly on progress, risks, technical difficulties and major anomalies.

Job Description

1. FlatSat setup and development

• Define the functional and technical architecture of the hybrid FlatSat bench, consistent with the satellite architecture and validation needs.

• Lead the integration of the hardware equipment, simulators, communication resources and interfaces needed to validate the onboard software.

• Develop, or have developed, the software components needed to operate and automate the bench.

• Define the interfaces between the onboard software, the real equipment and the simulated elements of the FlatSat.

• Set up the acquisition, stimulation, monitoring and data generation resources needed for testing.

• Ensure the FlatSat is representative of the real satellite system, and clearly identify simulation limitations and assumptions.

• Ensure the maintenance, evolution and operational availability of the bench throughout the program.

2. Defining the validation strategy and procedures

• Define the overall onboard software validation strategy on the FlatSat.

• Identify the requirements to be verified and define the traceability matrix between requirements, tests and results.

• Define the levels and types of tests to be performed: functional tests, interfaces, operational scenarios, robustness, performance, regression, degraded modes, fault management, etc.

• Write and maintain test procedures, scenarios and test cases.

• Define entry and exit criteria for validation campaigns.

• Set up processes for managing configurations, software versions, test data and results.

3. Preparing and running test campaigns

• Plan and organize validation campaigns on the FlatSat.

• Prepare test configurations and check that the required resources are available.

• Lead test execution and ensure tests are carried out properly and on schedule.

• Analyze results and identify deviations from expected behavior.

• Lead the reproduction, analysis and tracking of anomalies detected during campaigns.

• Carry out regression activities as the software or system evolves.

• Produce campaign reports and contribute to go/no-go decisions for subsequent validation stages.

4. Managing and leading the validation team (3 to 5 engineers working on FlatSat and validation activities)

• Lead and coordinate a team of 3 to 5 engineers working on FlatSat and validation activities.

• Allocate tasks and priorities according to program objectives.

• Monitor progress, identify blockers and put corrective actions in place.

• Provide technical support to team members and encourage knowledge sharing.

• Coordinate interactions with the onboard software, avionics, systems, electronics, operations and functional engineering teams.

• Ensure the quality and consistency of the team's deliverables.

5. Reporting and risk management

• Report regularly to the Chief of Functional Engineeringon:

  • progress of validation activities;

  • status of the FlatSat and its resources;

  • test campaign results;

  • anomalies and technical issues;

  • risks and blockers;

  • resource needs or decisions requiring arbitration.

• Highlight schedule deviations and propose action plans.

• Take part in technical reviews and validation reviews.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of validation processes and resources.

Requirements

• Engineering degree or Master's in embedded systems, electronics, industrial computing, control engineering, aeronautics/space or an equivalent field.

• Significant experience in the validation and integration of complex embedded systems.

• Experience in the space or aeronautics sector, or in a highly constrained industrial environment, would be a strong plus.

• Prior experience setting up or operating a test bench / Hardware-in-the-Loop bench / FlatSat.

• A first successful experience in technical leadership or managing a team of engineers.

• Professional-level English

• French nationality is required due to restricted-access projects.

Technical skills

Strong command of several of the following areas:

• embedded systems and embedded software;

• avionics architecture and interfaces between equipment;

• validation and verification of embedded software;

• test benches, FlatSat, Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL), Software-in-the-Loop (SIL);

• defining test strategies and procedures;

• test automation;

• anomaly analysis and diagnosis;

• configuration and software version management;

• scripting and programming, particularly Python;

• communication protocols and interfaces used in embedded systems;

• requirements, test and anomaly tracking tools.

Knowledge of the development/validation standards and processes applicable to the space sector is a plus.

Soft skills

• Technical leadership and the ability to bring a team together.

• Strong organizational and planning skills.

• Analytical mindset and a taste for solving complex problems.

• Autonomy and decision-making ability.

• Excellent communication skills, particularly in a multidisciplinary environment.

• Ability to synthesize technical issues and present them to management.

• Sense of responsibility and results-oriented.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced development environment and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.

Highly valued

• Experience with PUS and the CCSDS protocol.

• Experience with a space onboard computer or embedded platform.

• Experience with RTOS or bare-metal environments.

• Experience with automated test benches.

• Experience with Software-in-the-Loop / Hardware-in-the-Loop environments.

• Hands-on use of AI tools in software development.

What we offer

• The opportunity to be part of an international team transforming the space industry.

• A creative and innovative work environment where ideas turn into reality.

• Competitive salary and benefits.