Quantum Space is redefining mobility and maneuverability in space. Our high-mobility spacecraft platforms support national security, civil, and commercial missions with unmatched flexibility and propulsion capability. We build fast and iterate quickly.
Who We’re Looking For
We are seeking a technically driven Avionics Test Software Engineer to develop automated test software, Electrical Ground Support Equipment (EGSE) software, and hardware/software integration test infrastructure for spacecraft avionics supporting Ranger missions.
In this role, you will develop reusable test applications, instrument interfaces, and automated test sequencing capabilities used to verify spacecraft avionics hardware and software. You will work closely with avionics, flight software, electrical, systems, and test engineers to build reliable test infrastructure, troubleshoot complex hardware/software interactions, and ensure test results are accurate, repeatable, and defensible.
This position is ideal for an engineer who enjoys working at the intersection of software and hardware, solving difficult integration problems, and building robust test systems that directly contribute to flight readiness and mission success.
Where You’ll Make an Impact
- Develop automated test software and EGSE software supporting spacecraft avionics development and verification
- Design and develop reusable test applications, instrument interfaces, device drivers, test sequencing capabilities, and data acquisition tools
- Develop software to control laboratory instrumentation and communicate with embedded avionics hardware
- Build maintainable and extensible test frameworks that separate hardware interfaces, test logic, configuration, and data handling
- Develop requirements-based verification tests, including positive and negative testing, boundary conditions, failure scenarios, and fault injection
- Support hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and hardware/software integration testing of spacecraft avionics
- Develop automated functional and performance tests for flight computers and other avionics hardware
- Troubleshoot complex hardware, firmware, software, communication interface, and test equipment issues using systematic root-cause analysis
- Verify and validate automated test software and test equipment to ensure accurate and reliable results
- Implement test logging and data collection practices that provide traceability and reproducibility across hardware and software configurations
- Collaborate with avionics, flight software, systems, electrical, and test teams to develop verification approaches and resolve integration issues
- Participate in code reviews and contribute to software development, configuration management, and continuous integration practices
- Operate within a fast-paced development environment focused on rapid execution, technical excellence, and mission success
What It Takes
- Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline
- Experience developing automated test software using LabVIEW, Python, C/C++, or equivalent programming environments
- Experience developing software that controls laboratory instrumentation and communicates with embedded hardware
- Experience developing reusable and maintainable automated test applications, frameworks, or test infrastructure
- Experience troubleshooting and diagnosing complex hardware/software integration issues
- Understanding of software verification principles, including requirements-based testing, boundary conditions, negative testing, and fault injection
- Experience verifying that automated test software and test equipment are operating correctly and producing reliable results
- Familiarity with software configuration management and version control tools such as Git
- Strong software debugging, analytical, and problem-solving skills
Nice-to-Have Experience
- Experience developing automated test systems or EGSE for spacecraft, aerospace, defense, or other complex embedded systems
- Experience developing test frameworks with modular device drivers, reusable interfaces, automated test sequencing, logging, assertions, and configuration management
- Experience communicating with hardware over interfaces such as Ethernet, TCP/UDP, RS-422/485, SpaceWire, SPI, I2C, or similar protocols
- Experience testing asynchronous hardware and developing software that accounts for timing, synchronization, timeouts, and communication errors
- Experience with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing and simulation environments
- Experience developing automated power-on, functional, or acceptance testing for flight computers or other avionics hardware
- Experience with automated fault injection and verification of fault detection, isolation, and recovery behavior
- Experience using laboratory instrumentation, protocol analyzers, data acquisition systems, or similar test equipment
- Experience developing unit tests, simulated instrument interfaces, or other methods for validating automated test software
- Experience with CI/CD pipelines, automated builds, automated testing, code reviews, and software configuration management
- Understanding of embedded firmware and flight software architectures
- Experience working with spacecraft avionics or flight hardware
- Experience supporting fast-paced aerospace, defense, or commercial space programs
What You’ll Get
- Ownership – Take responsibility for automated test software and infrastructure that directly supports the development and verification of mission-critical spacecraft avionics
- Innovation – Build robust test frameworks and automation capabilities that accelerate spacecraft development and improve verification efficiency
- Impact – Help ensure spacecraft avionics and flight systems perform reliably through rigorous, repeatable, and defensible testing
- Growth – Work across avionics, flight software, electrical, systems, and test engineering while expanding your expertise in spacecraft hardware/software integration
- Compensation – Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, HSA, 401(k) matching, and equity participation
Location: Rockville, MD or Hawthorne, CA
Base Salary: $110,000 to $160,000
The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Quantum Space's total compensation package.
Additional Requirements
To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual per 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
Apply now. Join us in building the next generation of spacecraft.