Software Test Lead

Lunar Outpost; Golden (CO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision coverage

3 weeks PTO

401(k) with 4% match

11 company holidays

Parental leave

Educational reimbursement

Job summary

Lunar Outpost, a leader in space robotics, seeks a Software Test Lead to drive verification of embedded and flight systems critical to a lunar mission. You will shape test strategies, build environments, and mentor a growing team in a fast-paced, agile setting.

Applicants should have 5+ years in software testing, leadership experience, and strong communication. This role emphasizes safety, reliability, and cross-team collaboration within a cutting-edge startup.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in CS or aerospace/related field is required.
• 5+ years in software testing with 2+ years in leadership roles.
• Experience testing embedded or real-time software in safety-critical systems.
• Familiarity with verification frameworks for high-reliability software.
• Proficient with test tools, automation frameworks, and scripting languages.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement software test strategy for embedded, flight, and ground systems.
• Develop test plans, procedures, and documentation to support verification and validation.
• Build initial test environments including HIL and CI systems.
• Collaborate with software, systems, and hardware teams to ensure traceability.
• Contribute to risk assessments and fault injection/testing for resilience.
• Evaluate automation frameworks and tooling for space robotics domain.
• Promote testing excellence in an agile environment and mentor team members.
• Coordinate with Product Teams during design for testability and matrices.
• Organize software product certification and interactions with customers.

Skills

Software testing

Test leadership

Scripting languages

Communication skills

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Test tools

Automation frameworks

CI/CD pipelines

Job description

Are you passionate about shaping the future of humanity's presence in space? Lunar Outpost, an industry leader in space robotics and planetary vehicles, invites you to join our team! Lunar Outpost is dedicated to creating a permanent presence in space, while also driving positive impacts here on Earth. Currently, we are seeking a Software Test Lead to contribute to our mission in a dynamic startup environment. The main responsibilities of a Software Test Lead include leading the design and execution of test processes and plans to ensure they meet rigorous performance, safety, and compliance requirements. This role is responsible for guiding verification activities in accordance with aerospace standards, managing test processes, and collaborating with the development teams to validate embedded and mission‑critical systems. The Software Test Lead ensures all test efforts contribute to the overall system safety and reliability goals of Lunar Outpost.

Take the #NextLeap with Lunar Outpost and work on the Pegasus LTV, which will carry NASA astronauts farther than they've ever been before on the lunar surface!

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement the software test strategy for embedded, flight, and ground systems supporting space robotic missions
• Develop test plans, procedures, and documentation to support verification and validation efforts aligned with space‑grade software practices
• Build out initial test environments including simulation, hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HIL), and continuous integration systems
• Collaborate closely with software, systems, and hardware teams to ensure traceability from requirements and standards to test coverage
• Contribute to risk assessments and support fault injection, failure mode testing, and resilience validation
• Evaluate and introduce automation frameworks and tooling suited to the space robotics domain.
• Promote a culture of testing excellence and quality‑focused development in a fast‑paced, agile environment
• Support future hiring, mentorship, and leadership of a growing test engineering team
• Coordinate with other Integrate Product Teams during design for ensuring testability of design
• Generate and maintain Verification and Validation Matrices
• Facilitate and organize software product certification
• Coordinate with System Level Integration & Test Teams
• Coordinate and interact with customers

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field
• 5+ years of experience in software testing, with 2 years in leadership or senior test engineering role
• Experience testing embedded or real‑time software in robotics, space systems, or safety‑critical environments
• Familiarity with verification frameworks for high‑reliability software
• Proficiency with test tools, automation frameworks, and scripting languages
• Strong understanding of the software development lifecycle and systems engineering principles
• Self‑motivated, focused, and driven to meet critical deadlines
• Excellent organization and time management skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• U.S. Person

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands‑on experience with robotic systems, spacecraft avionics, or autonomous controls
• Experience with HIL systems, simulators, and testbeds used in spaceflight software development
• Exposure to configuration management, CI/CD pipelines
• Familiarity with space mission development phases and associated documentation standards
• Experience with testing in a cloud‑based environments
• Experience with the cFS and VxWorks Operating Systems

Compensation & Benefits:

Compensation level and base salary are competitively structured and thoughtfully determined based on factors such as relevant skills, experience, education, and the scope of the role.

• Comprehensive health coverage: Medical, dental, and vision benefits, with 70% of premiums covered by the employer
• Paid time off: Three (3) weeks per year of vacation
• Retirement plan: Up to 4% employer match on 401(k) contributions
• Paid holidays: 11 company‑recognized holidays
• Parental leave
• Educational reimbursement opportunities to support company objectives, continued learning, and career development

Lunar Outpost Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Lunar Outpost Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. All employees, including executives and human resources personnel, are expected to conduct themselves with professionalism and treat others with dignity and respect in accordance with this policy.