Software Engineer - Test Systems & Automation

Ouster; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 107,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Ouster is hiring a Software Engineer to optimize our automated production test infrastructure. You will develop clean, reusable software interfaces connecting our advanced Lidar hardware to data systems.

The ideal candidate has over 3 years of experience in software development, especially in Python, and is proficient in hardware interfacing and data pipeline optimization. This role offers a competitive salary range of $107,000 to $150,000 depending on skills and experience.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience writing production-grade software, ideally in Python.
• Solid proficiency in core Python and experience with hardware instruments.
• Comfortable operating in Linux/Unix environments and using Git.

Responsibilities

• Develop hardware abstraction layers and maintain code quality.
• Optimize data flow in manufacturing databases.
• Automate test sequences using multi-threaded Python concepts.

Skills

Python programming

Hardware interfacing

Data pipeline optimization

Linux/Unix environments

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related discipline

Tools

Docker

SQL databases (PostgreSQL, SQLite)

Job description

At Ouster, we build sensors and tools for engineers, roboticists, and researchers, so they can make the world safer and more efficient. We've transformed LIDAR from an analog device with thousands of components to an elegant digital device powered by one chip‑scale laser array and one CMOS sensor. The result is a full range of high‑resolution LIDAR sensors that deliver superior imaging at a dramatically lower price. Our advanced sensor hardware and vision algorithms are used in autonomous cars, robotics, industrial, and smart infrastructure applications (among many others). If you’re motivated by solving big problems, we’re hiring key roles across the company and need your help!

Role Overview

Ouster is seeking a Software Engineer to build, optimize, and maintain our automated production test infrastructure. In this role, you will move beyond basic, linear automation scripting to develop clean, decoupled, and reusable software interfaces that connect our Lidar optical and electrical hardware to our data systems.

We treat manufacturing test infrastructure with the same algorithmic rigor and software standards as core product code. If you are a strong software developer who loves seeing your code interact with physical devices, optimize factory‑floor data pipelines, and drive software quality metrics, this role is for you.

Key Responsibilities

Test Software Development & Abstraction

• Develop Hardware Abstraction Layers: Implement and scale Python‑based software wrappers to cleanly separate test sequence logic from lower‑level instrument drivers (e.g., power supplies, digital multimeters, spectrometers).

• Apply Modular Design: Utilize modern software design patterns (e.g., Factory, Strategy, Wrapper) to ensure test code remains flexible, future‑proofed, and easy to maintain as instrumentation evolves.

• Maintain Code Quality: Write clean, readable, and type‑hinted Python code. Actively participate in peer code reviews and maintain structured Git‑based development workflows.

Data Pipelines & Station Reliability

• Optimize Data Flow: Implement and debug high‑volume data pipelines that package and stream local parametric test data securely into centralized manufacturing databases and execution systems.

• Build Fault‑Tolerant Code: Write defensive software routines, including intelligent retry logic, exception handling, and local data buffering to prevent station downtime during intermittent network or server disruptions.

• Triage & Troubleshooting: Analyze test station execution logs to systematically diagnose whether a failure on the line stems from a software bug, instrument communication dropout, or a genuine product defect.

Automation & Test Rigor

• Automate Test Sequences: Develop multi‑instrument automated test workflows using concurrent or multi‑threaded Python concepts to minimize station cycle times.

• Software Validation: Write unit tests and implement software mocking frameworks to validate the stability of your test code before deploying updates to a live production line.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, or a related technical discipline with a strong programming foundation.

• Professional Experience: 3+ years of experience writing production‑grade software (ideally Python) interacting with hardware or processing data streams.

• Strong Python Foundation: Solid proficiency in core Python, including a clear understanding of decorators, higher‑order functions, custom exceptions, and context managers.

• Instrument Interfacing: Direct experience communicating with hardware instruments using standard protocols like SCPI, PyVISA, Serial (RS‑232/485), TCP/IP sockets, or Modbus.

• DevOps & Infrastructure: Solid day‑to‑day comfort operating in Linux/Unix environments, utilizing Git for version control, and working with Docker containers.

• Data Competency: Practical experience writing and optimizing SQL queries (e.g., PostgreSQL, SQLite, or MariaDB) to handle high‑frequency logging.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with Test‑Driven Development (TDD) or building software simulations/digital twins for hardware components.

• Basic understanding of optical components, cameras, laser safety, or computer vision libraries (OpenCV).

• Experience supporting manufacturing lines or hardware prototyping cycles in electronics, automotive, or robotics industries.

The base pay will be dependent on your skills, work experience, location, and qualifications. This role may also be eligible for equity & benefits. ($107,000 - $150,000)

We acknowledge the confidence gap at Ouster. You do not need to meet all of these requirements to be the ideal candidate for this role.

Ouster is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that pursues and hires a diverse workforce. Ouster does not make employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, nationality, sex, gender, gender‑identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, military status, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal laws. Ouster also strives for a healthy and safe workplace, and prohibits harassment of any kind. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Ouster considers qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.