Software Engineer (Hardware Test & Automation)

About the role

You will own and evolve the software infrastructure that underpins hardware testing and system validation for our nuclear enrichment operations. This position requires you to maintain and extend critical software systems that directly support manufacturing and engineering design verification activities. You will develop and sustain automation software for test articles, instrumentation, and associated production documentation systems. In this capacity, you will enable test execution across varied environments, including Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL) setups and virtualized simulation platforms. A core part of your responsibility involves creating algorithms that analyze complex test data and verify compliance with strict acceptance criteria. You will also lead the development and oversight of telemetry systems within development environments to ensure high observability and performance monitoring. Your work will directly contribute to building a high-energy society by making clean nuclear energy more affordable. If you thrive in fast-paced, intense, Skunkworks-style projects, this role is an excellent opportunity to make a significant impact.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Design and implement modular, reusable automation software, primarily using Python, to support manufacturing and engineering design verification.
• Write automation software for test articles, test equipment, instrumentation, and production documentation systems to ensure traceability and accuracy.
• Enable test execution across diverse environments, including hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) and virtualized simulations for comprehensive validation.
• Create algorithms to analyze complex test data and verify compliance with predefined acceptance criteria and regulatory standards.
• Develop tools that improve the frequency, reliability, and automation of software deployment, test execution, and data analysis within a continuous integration framework.
• Build and maintain robust telemetry systems for development environments, ensuring high observability, performance monitoring, and seamless data accessibility across engineering teams.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate hardware testing requirements into automated software solutions that reduce manual overhead.
• Implement interfaces and drivers to communicate with a wide range of digital and analog test equipment, ensuring reliable data flow.
• Optimize test workflows to enhance manufacturing yields and reduce production time through process automation and data-driven insights.
• Support the configuration management and version control of test software artifacts to maintain integrity and reproducibility across projects.
• Troubleshoot complex issues in test systems using advanced debugging, performance optimization, and unit testing methodologies.
• Document software architectures, test procedures, and operational guidelines to support knowledge transfer and system maintainability.
• Ensure all software tools and test systems adhere to strict quality standards and operational safety protocols.
• Drive the adoption of continuous testing practices to accelerate feedback loops and improve overall engineering velocity.
• Contribute to the long-term strategic roadmap for test infrastructure, ensuring scalability and adaptability to future technology needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, math, or a STEM discipline is mandatory for this role.
• Possess 3+ years of software development expertise in C, C++, or Python; or equivalent full stack software development experience.
• Provide evidence of exceptional ability through prior projects, a portfolio of work, or completed products that demonstrate your technical proficiency.
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of core engineering fundamentals across software, electronics, and systems integration.
• Show proficiency in Linux and Windows operating systems, including command-line operations and system administration tasks.
• Have hands-on experience with configuration management and version control software such as Git and associated workflows.
• Exhibit experience deploying and maintaining build toolchains, test software infrastructure, and telemetry systems in production-like environments.
• Proven ability to automate processes and testing to improve manufacturing yields and reduce production time in a fast-paced setting.
• Demonstrate knowledge of a wide range of digital and analog interfaces including GPIB, USB, VISA, TCP/IP, VLAN, CAN bus, SPI, I2C, Modbus, and analog-to-digital conversion.
• Possess strong skills in troubleshooting, debugging, performance optimization, and unit testing across complex software systems.
• Show solid fundamental knowledge of networks, electronics, mathematics, and physics as they apply to hardware test systems.
• Be capable of working extended hours and weekends as necessary to meet critical project milestones and operational demands.
• Thrive in a mission-driven environment that values urgency, accountability, and transparency in all aspects of work.

Nice to have

• Extensive experience with Linux and Windows operating systems beyond basic proficiency.
• Deep familiarity with configuration management tools and version control systems for large-scale software projects.
• Prior experience deploying and maintaining build toolchains, test software infrastructure, and telemetry systems.
• A track record of automating processes and testing to directly improve manufacturing yields and reduce production time.
• Comprehensive knowledge of digital and analog interfaces such as GPIB, USB, VISA, TCP/IP, VLAN, CAN bus, SPI, I2C, Modbus, and analog-to-digital conversion.
• Strong documented experience in troubleshooting, debugging, performance optimization, and unit testing.
• Solid foundational knowledge of networks, electronics, mathematics, and physics in practical engineering contexts.
• Experience working in fast-paced engineering environments or roles requiring an entrepreneurial approach to delivering results under tight constraints.

Practical notes

• This is a full-time position based in Los Angeles, California.
• The role requires the ability to work extended hours and weekends as project needs dictate.
• Compensation is structured within the range of $100,000 to $200,000 annually, subject to individual qualifications and market alignment.
• Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship at this time.