Senior Software Engineer, Hardware Test San Jose, CA

Muon Space, Inc.; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 184,000 - 208,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity compensation

Medical, dental and vision insurance

401k retirement plan

Paid vacation (3 weeks) and holidays

Job summary

Muon Space, Inc. is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to lead the hardware reliability and test framework efforts.

You will architect Python-based frameworks and testing tools used from module testing to fully assembled spacecraft, while debugging bench instruments and guiding engineers. The role blends software and hardware, requiring hands‑on development, strong communication, and the ability to mentor teams in a fast‑paced environment.

Qualifications

• Experience software that controls and tests physical hardware.
• Bachelor’s degree in CS/EE or related field.
• 8+ years of software engineering with leadership on multi‑engineer projects.
• Expert level Python and framework/library design.
• Familiar with electronics and lab test equipment; bench debugging.
• Experience with databases and building tooling/UI.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Thrives in a fast‑paced environment with new challenges.

Responsibilities

• Lead hardware test framework architecture, standards, and roadmap.
• Design and build Python-based test frameworks and tooling for space hardware testing.
• Write drivers and abstractions for test instruments (VISA/SCPI, serial, CAN, Ethernet).
• Architect test results databases and user interfaces; select scalable technologies.
• Create standard spacecraft‑level tests adaptable per mission.
• Mentor engineers and promote code quality across hardware test software.
• Integrate test frameworks with CI/CD and hardware‑in‑the‑loop systems.
• Drive framework adoption with cross‑functional teams and training.

Skills

Python

Technical leadership

Hardware testing

CI/CD

Databases

Communication

Python frameworks

Education

B.S. in Computer Science or Electrical/Computer Engineering

Tools

VISA/SCPI

Serial

CAN

Ethernet

Job description

Muon seeks a Senior Software Engineer to join our Hardware Reliability & Test organization as the technical lead for our hardware test frameworks — the software, standards, results databases, and tooling used to test Muon hardware from module level through fully assembled spacecraft. The ideal candidate is a hands‑on engineer who bridges hardware and software: equally comfortable architecting clean Python frameworks and debugging test instruments at the bench.

This position is hybrid and requires working on‑site in our San Jose, CA office three days per week.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical lead for Muon's hardware test frameworks: own architecture, standards, and the technical roadmap
• Design and build Python-based test frameworks and tooling used from module-level through fully assembled spacecraft testing
• Write drivers and abstractions for test instruments and ground support equipment (power supplies, DAQs, oscilloscopes, environmental chambers, RF test equipment)
• Architect test results databases and user interfaces, selecting the right technologies for Muon's scale
• Build standard, shared spacecraft‑level tests that can be tailored per mission
• Partner with subsystem, bus, and test teams to drive framework adoption, supporting and training users
• Integrate test frameworks with CI/CD and hardware‑in‑the‑loop infrastructure for automated regression testing
• Mentor engineers and set the bar for code quality across hardware test software

Qualifications

• Experience developing software that controls and tests physical hardware, including writing drivers for test instruments (e.g., VISA/SCPI, serial, CAN, or Ethernet‑based)
• B.S. in Computer Science, Electrical/Computer Engineering, or a related technical field
• 8+ years of software engineering experience, with demonstrated technical leadership of complex, multi‑engineer projects
• Expert‑level Python, including designing frameworks or libraries adopted by other engineering teams
• Working knowledge of electronics and lab test equipment; comfortable debugging at the bench
• Experience with databases and building tooling and user interfaces
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Excited to work in a fast‑paced environment with new challenges each week

Nice-to-have Skills

• Experience testing spacecraft, launch vehicles, or other aerospace hardware
• Experience with reading & modifying embedded C/C++ applications
• Experience with hardware‑in‑the‑loop simulation or production/acceptance test systems
• Familiarity with pytest or similar frameworks as a foundation for hardware test
• Experience with results/time‑series databases and dashboarding tools (e.g., SQL, InfluxDB, Grafana)

The salary range for this role is $ 184,000 - $208,000 , plus a competitive equity grant and comprehensive benefits package. Final compensation will be determined based on skills, qualifications, experience, and geographic location as assessed during the interview process.

About Muon Space

Founded in 2021, Muon Space is an end‑to‑end Space Systems Provider that designs, builds, and operates LEO satellite constellations delivering mission‑critical data. Our revolutionary, integrated technology stack enables customers to optimize every dimension of their missions for faster time‑to‑orbit and superior constellation remote sensing performance. Our state‑of‑the‑art facility in the heart of Silicon Valley is optimized for manufacturing spacecraft and rapid, flexible payload integration at scale. From climate monitoring to national security, Muon Space is dedicated to delivering Earth Intelligence for a safer and more resilient world.

Taking Care of Our Team

At Muon salary is only part of our total compensation package. In addition to salary, full‑time employees receive equity compensation as well as benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401k retirement plan, short & long term disability and life insurance. We also offer three weeks paid vacation for new employees, along with 12 paid holidays, unlimited sick time and paid parental leave.

Our mission embraces the entire planet and we believe our team should too. Muon is dedicated to creating a diverse and dynamic company and workforce. We believe in equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, age, national origin, citizenship, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or gender identity. We value diversity in the workplace, and that starts with our applicants. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't check all the boxes, and we look forward to reviewing your application! In addition, if you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.

This position requires access to export controlled information. To conform to U.S. Government export regulations applicable to that information, applicant must either be (A) a U.S. person, defined as a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (green card holder), (iii) refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, (B) eligible to access the export controlled information without a required export authorization, or (C) eligible and reasonably likely to obtain the required export authorization from the applicable U.S. government agency. The Company may, for legitimate business reasons, decline to pursue any export licensing process.