Senior Software Engineer, Hardware Test
About the role
Muon seeks a Senior Software Engineer to join our Hardware Reliability & Test organization as the technical lead for our hardware test frameworks — the software, standards, results databases, and tooling used to test Muon hardware from module level through fully assembled spacecraft. The ideal candidate is a hands-on engineer who bridges hardware and software: equally comfortable architecting clean Python frameworks and debugging test instruments at the bench.
This position is hybrid and requires working on-site in our San Jose, CA office three days per week.
Responsibilities
Serve as the technical lead for Muon's hardware test frameworks: own architecture, standards, and the technical roadmap
Design and build Python-based test frameworks and tooling used from module-level through fully assembled spacecraft testing
Write drivers and abstractions for test instruments and ground support equipment (power supplies, DAQs, oscilloscopes, environmental chambers, RF test equipment)
Architect test results databases and user interfaces, selecting the right technologies for Muon's scale
Build standard, shared spacecraft-level tests that can be tailored per mission
Partner with subsystem, bus, and test teams to drive framework adoption, supporting and training users
Integrate test frameworks with CI/CD and hardware-in-the-loop infrastructure for automated regression testing
Mentor engineers and set the bar for code quality across hardware test software
Qualifications
Experience developing software that controls and tests physical hardware, including writing drivers for test instruments (e.g., VISA/SCPI, serial, CAN, or Ethernet-based)
B.S. in Computer Science, Electrical/Computer Engineering, or a related technical field
8+ years of software engineering experience, with demonstrated technical leadership of complex, multi-engineer projects
Expert-level Python, including designing frameworks or libraries adopted by other engineering teams
Working knowledge of electronics and lab test equipment; comfortable debugging at the bench
Experience with databases and building tooling and user interfaces
Excellent communication and presentation skills
Excited to work in a fast-paced environment with new challenges each week
Nice-to-have Skills
Experience testing spacecraft, launch vehicles, or other aerospace hardware
Experience with reading & modifying embedded C/C++ applications
Experience with hardware-in-the-loop simulation or production/acceptance test systems
Familiarity with pytest or similar frameworks as a foundation for hardware test
Experience with results/time-series databases and dashboarding tools (e.g., SQL, InfluxDB, Grafana)
Salary
The salary range for this role is $184,000 - $208,000, plus a competitive equity grant and comprehensive benefits package. Final compensation will be determined based on skills, qualifications, experience, and geographic location as assessed during the interview process.