Vehicle Test Software Team Lead

Pow.bio; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity package

Company-subsidized healthcare

Flexible PTO

Free on-site catered meals

Job summary

Astranis in San Francisco is looking for a Team Lead for the Vehicle Test team. The role involves managing the team responsible for testing satellites and ensuring they are ready for launch. Responsibilities include overseeing test execution, leading framework improvements, and collaborating with cross-functional teams.

We seek candidates with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or Electrical Engineering and over 5 years of experience in test engineering, including people management skills. Astranis offers a competitive compensation package with equity and robust benefits.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in test engineering or a related field.
• 2+ years of people management experience.
• Strong proficiency with Python.
• Experience with hardware test environments.

Responsibilities

• Own vehicle test execution across all integration phases.
• Lead test framework and architectural improvements.
• Oversee HITL testbed development end-to-end.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams.
• Identify and drive opportunities to automate processes.
• Assist in recruiting and hiring additional teammates.

Skills

Python

Test engineering

People management

Hardware test environments

Test frameworks

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS or EE

Job description

Astranis builds advanced satellites for high orbits, expanding humanity’s reach into the solar system. Today, Astranis satellites provide dedicated, secure networks to highly‑sophisticated customers across the globe— large enterprises, sovereign governments, and the US military. With five satellites on orbit and many more set to launch soon, the company is servicing a backlog of more than $1 billion of commercial contracts.

Astranis is the preferred satellite communications partner for buyers with stringent requirements for uptime, data security, network visibility, and customization. Astranis has raised over $750 million from some of the world’s best investors, from Andreessen Horowitz to Blackrock and Fidelity, and employs a team of 450 engineers and entrepreneurs. Astranis designs, builds, and operates its satellites out of its 153,000 sq. ft. headquarters in Northern California, USA.

Team Lead, Vehicle Test Team

As the Team Lead of the Vehicle Test team, you will build and manage the team responsible for testing Astranis spacecraft from panel integration through the final full spacecraft tests verifying our satellites are launch‑ready. You'll own the test software, frameworks, and HITL testbeds that ensure our satellites work — and keep working — on orbit. Day to day, you'll drive architectural decisions and technical direction at the boundary of software and hardware, in close collaboration with other engineering teams. This role will contribute to both commercial and US Government programs.

Role

• Own vehicle test execution across all integration phases, from panel‑level through full spacecraft, covering Propulsion, Avionics, RF, Power, and more
• Lead test framework, process, and architectural improvements for panel vehicle integration and test needs
• Oversee HITL testbed development end‑to‑end: design, procurement, integration, validation, and long‑term support — serving vehicle testing, mission operations, and flight software verification
• Coordinate with cross‑functional teams on testbed requirements, timelines, and budgets
• Identify and drive opportunities to automate manual processes and improve test efficiency
• Assist in recruiting, interviewing, and hiring additional teammates to our rapidly‑growing team

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in CS, EE (or equivalent background knowledge)
• 5+ years of experience in test engineering or related field
• 2+ years of people management experience
• Strong proficiency with Python
• Experience with hardware test and production environments
• Experience designing and implementing test frameworks, especially HITL systems
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Bonus

• Experience reading schematics and datasheets, and debugging circuits that interface with embedded software
• Spacecraft or launch vehicle test experience

What we offer

All our positions offer a compensation package that includes equity and robust benefits.

Base pay is just one component of Astranis’s total rewards package. Your compensation also includes a significant equity package via incentive stock options, high‑quality company‑subsidized healthcare, disability and life insurance, 401(k) retirement planning, flexible PTO, and free on‑site catered meals.

Base Salary: $150,000 — $230,000 USD

U.S. Citizenship, Lawful Permanent Residency, or Refugee/Asylee Status Required

(To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the United States, or other protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3))

Our mission and our products are meant to connect the world and everyone in it, regardless of gender, race, creed, or any other distinction. We believe in a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we encourage all people to join our team and bring their unique perspective to help make us stronger.