Senior Software Engineer, Hardware Test

Muonspace; San Jose (CA); Hybrid; USD 184,000 - 208,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity compensation

Health insurance

401k

Disability insurance

Vacation listen 3 weeks

Paid holidays 12

Sick time (unlimited)

Parental leave

Job summary

Muon Space in San Jose, CA is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to lead our hardware test frameworks, the software, standards, results databases, and tooling used to test Muon hardware from module level through fully assembled spacecraft.

The role bridges hardware and software, requiring hands-on engineering experience with Python frameworks and bench debugging of instruments. Hybrid work on-site three days per week in San Jose, CA.

Qualifications

• Experience developing software that controls and tests physical hardware.
• BS in Computer Science, Electrical/Computer Engineering, or related field.
• 8+ years of software engineering experience with leadership of complex projects.
• Expert-level Python, with framework/library design.
• Strong debugging skills at bench with lab/test equipment.

Responsibilities

• Serve as technical lead for hardware test frameworks: architecture, standards, roadmap.
• Design and build Python-based test frameworks and tooling for module-level through spacecraft testing.
• Write drivers and abstractions for test instruments and ground support equipment.
• Architect test results databases and user interfaces; select technologies for scale.
• Build standard, shared spacecraft-level tests; tailor per mission.
• Mentor engineers; promote code quality across hardware test software.
• Integrate test frameworks with CI/CD and hardware-in-the-loop for automated tests.

Skills

Python

Software leadership

Hardware testing

C/C++

Databases

CI/CD

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical/Computer Engineering, or related field

Tools

VISA/SCPI drivers

CAN/Ethernet/Serial

Test instrumentation

Job description

About the role

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)

Salary

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

• equity compensation
• medical, dental, and vision insurance
• a 401k retirement plan
• short & long term disability and life insurance
• three weeks paid vacation for new employees
• 12 paid holidays
• unlimited sick time
• paid parental leave

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.

ITAR/EAR Requirements

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.