Senior Avionics Test Engineer

About the role

Muon Space is seeking an experienced and hands-on Senior Avionics Test Engineer to join our team in San Jose, CA. In this role, you will own the architecture, development, and scaling of the test infrastructure that ensures we continue to have zero hardware failures at launch. You will drive the test strategy for satellite avionics, design test racks and and when required custom PCBs or fixtures. This is our first electrical test role so you will help define the standards of the team going forward and set the bar for our electrical test infrastructure. You will collaborate with the test and reliability org that maintains the overall software infrastructure and will be part of the electrical engineering team so test development starts with PCBA development.

This position is onsite and requires working in our San Jose, CA office five days per week.

Responsibilities

• Work with test and reliability to define a common set of hardware and software to create automated test racks for avionics modules (primarily PCBAs)
• Define the overarching validation strategy, test plans/methodologies for spacecraft avionics (flight computers, power systems, RF/communication payloads).
• Partner with hardware design engineers early in the product lifecycle to implement Design for Test (DFT) and Design for Manufacturability (DFM) requirements.
• Write and maintain python scripts based on the software test framework used throughout the hardware org.
• Create methods for rack self test and preventative maintenance so racks can be monitored and maintained by the production team.
• Guide and mentor junior test and hardware engineers, establish engineering best practices for the test team, and lead technical design reviews for test infrastructure.
• Create custom electrical or mechanical fixturing when required to make tests fast and easy to run

Qualifications

• Prefer, but don’t require B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience in hardware test engineering, 8+ years of total relevant software/hardware engineering experience
• Strong knowledge of electronic components, circuits, and test equipment (e.g., oscilloscopes, multimeters, power supplies).
• Familiarly with schematic capture and PCB layout software (e.g., Altium, Cadence/Orcad).
• Understanding of microcontrollers and common communication interfaces (e.g., UART, SPI, I2C, CAN, Ethernet).
• Experience with embedded systems, embedded programming concepts and comfortable in a Linux development environment
• Strong knowledge of scripting/python and use of AI to expedite the development of those scripts
• Knowledge of Git or other change control systems
• Strong problem-solving skills and a hands-on approach to engineering challenges.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• A strong desire to learn and contribute in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Nice-to-have Skills

• Experience with electronics for space applications 
• Experience with FPGAs, SoC, or embedded linux platforms
• Knowledge of high speed digital interfaces like PCIE, DRAM, CSI, 25G Ethernet
• Experience with RF test equipment and test methodologies (Spectrum analyzers, VNAs, power meters, frequency generators etc)
• Familiarity with aerospace test and quality standards such as SMC-S-016
• Previous startup experience or experience working in a fast paced environment

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. 

About Muon Space

Founded in 2021, Muon Space is an end-to-end Space Systems Provider that designs, builds, and operates LEO satellite constellations delivering mission-critical data. Our revolutionary, integrated technology stack enables customers to optimize every dimension of their missions for faster time-to-orbit and superior constellation remote sensing performance. Our state-of-the-art facility in the heart of Silicon Valley is optimized for manufacturing spacecraft and rapid, flexible payload integration at scale. From climate monitoring to national security, Muon Space is dedicated to delivering Earth Intelligence for a safer and more resilient world.

Taking Care of Our Team

At Muon salary is only part of our total compensation package. In addition to salary, full-time employees receive equity compensation as well as benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401k retirement plan, short & long term disability and life insurance. We also offer three weeks paid vacation for new employees, along with 12 paid holidays, unlimited sick time and paid parental leave. 

Our mission embraces the entire planet and we believe our team should too.  Muon is dedicated to creating a diverse and dynamic company and workforce. We believe in equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, age, national origin, citizenship, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or gender identity. We value diversity in the workplace, and that starts with our applicants. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't check all the boxes, and we look forward to reviewing your application! In addition, if you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.

Muon is currently registered and able to hire in the following states:
AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, IL, IA, ID, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA

ITAR/EAR Requirements

This position requires access to export controlled information. To conform to U.S. Government export regulations applicable to that information, applicant must either be (A) a U.S. person, defined as a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (green card holder), (iii) refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, (B) eligible to access the export controlled information without a required export authorization, or (C) eligible and reasonably likely to obtain the required export authorization from the applicable U.S. government agency. The Company may, for legitimate business reasons, decline to pursue any export licensing process.