Software Test Lead

Lunar Outpost; Golden (CO); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Paid vacation

401(k) match

Paid holidays

Parental leave

Education reimbursement

Job summary

Lunar Outpost in Golden, CO is seeking a Software Test Lead to design and drive verification of embedded and flight software for space robotics. You will lead test strategy, plans, and environments, partner with software, systems, and hardware teams, and ensure traceability to requirements and safety standards.

This onsite role follows a hybrid schedule, with some remote work on Wednesdays, and offers competitive benefits, PTO, 401(k) matching, and opportunities to mentor a growing test

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.
• U.S. Person

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

Skills

Test leadership

Embedded testing

Automation tooling

Scripting languages

Systems engineering

Agile methods

Education

B.S. in Computer Science or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

HIL systems

CI/CD pipelines

Simulation tools

Space-grade test software

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!

Working Conditions / Schedule: This position is required to be onsite Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Where applicable, employees may work remotely on Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Additional hours may be required based on business needs.

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.