Software Engineer, Development Test
Job description
About the role
Become a vital member of the Starlink development test automation team, where your primary focus will be on designing and automating systems for the evaluation of satellite components. In this position, you will be tasked with creating software solutions that seamlessly integrate hardware, vacuum systems, high-power testing apparatus, and data acquisition tools to meet diverse testing requirements. Your contributions will be essential in supporting component testing, design iterations, and the qualification of hardware for flight readiness.
Key facts
What you'll do
- Create modular and reusable test automation software using Python and other programming languages to facilitate development and qualification testing.
- Develop automation scripts that effectively interface with hardware, testing equipment, instrumentation, and production systems.
- Design and implement tools aimed at enhancing software deployment frequency, ensuring reliable test execution, and improving data analysis within continuous integration and release frameworks.
- Engineer custom automation solutions to tackle engineering challenges, integrating embedded electronics with innovative hardware designs.
- Build user interfaces that streamline the operation and troubleshooting of complex machinery and processes.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to gather requirements and translate them into effective software solutions.
- Conduct thorough testing and validation of your software to ensure it meets performance and reliability standards.
- Document your work meticulously, including design specifications, user manuals, and troubleshooting guides to assist future development efforts.
Requirements
- A bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, mathematics, or a related STEM field; alternatively, a minimum of 2 years of professional software development experience may substitute for formal education.
- Proficiency in programming languages such as Python and/or C, C++.
- Willingness to work weekends and extended hours as needed to meet project deadlines.
- Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee, or possess the ability to obtain necessary authorizations for ITAR compliance.
Nice to have
- Experience in developing application, test, or automation software within an interdisciplinary environment.
- Familiarity with configuration management tools and version control systems.
- Background in instrumentation, data acquisition system design, or electronics testing engineering.
- Experience in writing software that interacts with electrical testing equipment, including oscilloscopes, digital multimeters (DMMs), data acquisition systems (DAQs), power supplies, electronic loads, spectrum analyzers, or source measure units.
- Skills in troubleshooting software and hardware interactions, particularly with network devices and laboratory instrumentation.
- Comprehensive understanding of Linux and Windows operating systems, as well as computer architecture and networking principles.
- Experience in designing and building electronics test racks, setting up data acquisition systems, or developing electronics or testing systems for assembly or industrial applications.
- In-depth knowledge of digital and analog interfaces such as USB, VISA, TCP/IP, CAN bus, SPI, I2C, Modbus, and analog-to-digital conversion.
- Familiarity with spacecraft, automotive, or other industrial hardware, particularly high-powered electrical systems and ground support equipment.
- Strong foundational knowledge in networks, electronics, RF communications, optics, mathematics, and physics.
- Excellent troubleshooting, debugging, and performance optimization skills.
Skills & tools
- Proficient in Python, C, and C++
- Experienced with Linux and Windows operating systems
- Knowledgeable in USB, VISA, TCP/IP, CAN bus, SPI, I2C, and Modbus
- Familiar with oscilloscopes, DMMs, DAQs, power supplies, electronic loads, spectrum analyzers, and source measure units
Practical notes
The annual salary for this position ranges from $125,000 to $145,000 for Level I, and from $145,000 to $175,000 for Level II. Actual compensation will be determined based on your skills, experience, and educational background. The total rewards package includes potential long-term incentives such as stock options, cash awards, and participation in an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Comprehensive benefits encompass medical, vision, and dental coverage, a 401(k) plan, disability and life insurance, paid parental leave, and various employee discounts. Employees earn three weeks of paid vacation annually and enjoy over ten paid holidays each year. Exempt employees are also entitled to five days of sick leave per year. For convenience, company shuttles operate for roundtrip travel from select locations in Seattle to the Redmond office, available Monday through Friday.