Senior Software Integration and Test Engineer

Portalsystems; Bothell (WA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Portal Space Systems in Bothell, WA is seeking a Senior Software Integration & Test Engineer to own validation of spacecraft software and firmware for the Supernova platform. This role bridges development and test, building HITL environments, writing test code, debugging across subsystems, and integrating vendor baselines into a flight-ready stack.

You will ensure flight software reliability under mission conditions, contribute code and integration to fast spacecraft deliveries, and collaborate

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience developing and testing embedded software or firmware for complex or mission-critical systems.
• Experience with HITL test environments or embedded system bring-up.
• Experience in C/C++ or Python for embedded development and test automation.

Responsibilities

• Develop and own HITL test framework for spacecraft software and firmware.
• Debug and resolve issues across avionics and payload systems with vendors.
• Review software architecture to ensure reliability and mission alignment.
• Co-develop HITL and ICD infrastructure with Avionics Engineers for CI/CD.
• Own software integration from power-on to flight-ready.
• Expand HITL environments for edge cases and full-mission simulations.
• Develop regression, logging, and fault-coverage frameworks.

Skills

Embedded software

Firmware testing

HITL environments

C/C++ or Python

Education

Master’s degree or equivalent

Tools

RTOS

FreeRTOS

VxWorks

Embedded Linux

Job description

Senior Software Integration and Test Engineer

Bothell, WA

About Portal

Portal Space Systems is on a mission to expand humanity’s freedom of movement in space. We’re building the spacecraft that makes that mission possible. From our Bothell, WA headquarters, we design vehicles with the maneuverability, resilience, and adaptability needed for the next era of orbital operations. Every system we build is in service of a simple idea: space should be more accessible, responsive, and capable. Joining Portal means stepping into a team that believes in bold engineering, fast iteration, and the power of small groups to change what’s possible. If you want your work to directly shape the future of in-space mobility, join us.

About the Role

We are seeking a Senior Software Integration & Test Engineer to own the validation of spacecraft software and firmware for the Supernova platform. This role bridges development and test: building HITL environments, writing extensive test code, debugging across subsystems, and integrating vendor baselines into a unified, flight‑ready stack. This engineer will be responsible for flight software reliability under mission conditions, contributing both code and integration to the fast, decisive spacecraft deliveries that define Portal’s approach to spaceflight.

Responsibilities

• Develop and own the execution and testing framework for spacecraft software and firmware, including HITL test cases and environments
• Debug and resolve software and firmware issues across avionics and payload systems, driving root‑cause resolution with vendors
• Review and guide software architecture (state machines, error handling, ICDs, vendor scopes) to ensure reliability and mission alignment
• Partner with Avionics Engineers to co‑develop HITL and ICD infrastructure, enabling automated regression and CI/CD pipelines
• Own software and firmware integration from first power‑on to flight‑ready, ensuring subsystem bring‑up and validation
• Build and expand HITL environments to support edge cases, fault injection, and full mission simulation
• Develop automated frameworks for regression, logging, and fault coverage to drive continuous validation
• Own build, delivery, and versioning pipelines that ensure mission‑ready software

Basic Qualifications

• 5 + years of experience developing and testing embedded software or firmware for complex or mission‑critical systems, or equivalent lab and project experience
• Experience with hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HITL) test environments or embedded system bring‑up
• Experience in C/C++ or Python for embedded software development and test automation

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Ability to work in a fast‑paced, highly collaborative startup environment with high levels of ownership
• 7+ years of embedded or spacecraft software development and integration experience and/or a Master’s degree with equivalent hands‑on depth
• Experience with spacecraft software integration, including avionics, ADCS, power, or payload subsystems
• Familiarity with real‑time operating systems (RTOS), embedded Linux, or spacecraft flight software frameworks (e.g., cFS, FreeRTOS, VxWorks)
• Knowledge of common spacecraft communication protocols (e.g., CAN, UART, Ethernet)
• Strong opinions regarding automated test frameworks, CI/CD pipelines, and regression testing environments
• Background in fault injection, FDIR concepts, or fault‑tolerant software design
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross‑functional software validation efforts or mentor junior engineers

This position may involve access to technical data and defense‑related materials controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).

Eligibility to access ITAR‑controlled items requires that candidates be U.S. persons, which includes U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and other protected individuals as defined by U.S. law.

Employment is contingent upon verification of ITAR eligibility and, where applicable, obtaining any required export authorization or license.

Equal Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual.

As set forth in Portal Space Systems’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

A \"disabled veteran\" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service‑connected disability.

A \"recently separated veteran\" means any veteran during the three‑year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An \"active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran\" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An \"Armed forces service medal veteran\" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

• Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
• Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
• Blind or low vision
• Cancer (past or present)
• Cardiovascular or heart disease
• Celiac disease
• Cerebral palsy
• Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
• Diabetes
• Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
• Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
• Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
• Intellectual or developmental disability
• Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
• Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
• Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
• Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Neurodivergence, for example, attention‑deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
• Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
• Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
• Short stature (dwarfism)
• Traumatic brain injury