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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Software Engineer, Hardware Test & Automation - **Company:** Cowboy Space Corp. - **Location:** Seattle, United States - **Experience:** Experienced - **Salary:** $100,000.0 - $200,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Testing (Software), Systems Engineering, Build Automation, Automation of Tests, C++ (Programming Language), Code Coverage, Computer Programming, Computer Engineering, Continuous Integration, Software Debugging, Embedded Software, Ethernet, Python (Programming Language), Subsystems, Systems Integration, Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter, Management of Software Versions, Serial Peripheral Interface, Real Time Systems, Information Technology, Software Version Control - **Published:** September 4, 2026 - **Apply:** https://startup.jobs/software-engineer-hardware-test-automation-cowboy-space-corp-9561173 ## About the Role * 3+ years of experience (or equivalent practical experience) in test infrastructure, embedded software, hardware/software integration, or a related discipline * Strong programming skills in Python, C/C++, or similar languages for test automation and tooling * Hands-on experience testing software against physical hardware, including working with lab equipment such as power supplies, oscilloscopes, and logic analyzers * Experience with common embedded communication interfaces (e.g., SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, Ethernet) * Experience building tools, frameworks, or infrastructure used by other engineers, with a demonstrated instinct for reusability, reliability, and maintainability over one-off solutions * Familiarity with version control, continuous integration, and automated test workflows, * Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field * Experience with hardware-in-the-loop testing for spacecraft, aircraft, automotive, robotics, or other high-reliability systems * Experience designing or maintaining test racks, harnessing, and lab infrastructure at scale * Familiarity with hardware emulation or simulation techniques for subsystems that are not available as physical units * Experience supporting multiple programs or teams from a shared platform, and balancing their competing needs * Understanding of flight software concepts such as real-time systems, fault detection and recovery, and command and telemetry handling * Experience debugging issues that cross hardware/software boundaries and communicating findings clearly to other teams * Experience working in fast-paced, high-ownership environments with rapid iteration cycles ## Description We are looking for a Build & Test Engineer to own our hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) test infrastructure: the racks, tooling, and automation that run real flight software against real or emulated spacecraft hardware, including the satellite bus, flight computer, and other subsystems. Today, HITL coverage lives with engineers who carry it alongside other primary responsibilities; this role makes it a dedicated function that every flight program can rely on. You will extend and harden our existing test tooling so it is reusable across multiple concurrent programs rather than rebuilt for each one, and you will treat other engineers as your customers., * Own the design, build-out, and operation of hardware-in-the-loop test infrastructure that exercises real flight software against real or emulated spacecraft hardware * Extend and harden existing internal test tooling into a reusable platform that serves multiple concurrent flight programs, rather than one-off setups per program * Develop and maintain hardware emulation and simulation of spacecraft subsystems where flight hardware is unavailable or scarce * Build automation for test orchestration, scheduling, and reporting so HITL runs are repeatable, self-service, and integrated into continuous integration workflows * Stand up, configure, and maintain HITL test racks and supporting lab equipment, including power, data, and instrumentation interfaces * Define interfaces and conventions that let flight software, avionics, and systems engineers add their own tests without deep knowledge of the test stack * Partner with flight software, electrical, and systems teams to define test coverage, prioritize gaps, and validate new hardware and software releases before integration and flight * Investigate test failures and anomalies, distinguish infrastructure issues from genuine flight software or hardware defects, and drive root cause analysis to closure * Manage configuration, versioning, and traceability of test environments so results are reproducible and trustworthy * Document the test infrastructure and champion its adoption, making it the default path for verification across the company ## Related Videos - [Mutation Testing and Fuzzing in C#](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/703-mutation-testing-and-fuzzing-in-c) - [The Gashlycrumb Tinies of AI Networking You Must Know (or Languish!)](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2067-the-gashlycrumb-tinies-of-ai-networking-you-must-know-or-languish) - [10M Data Records Lost, Underwater Computing, and Psychedelic Fish - Matthias Geniar](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1908-10m-data-records-lost-underwater-computing-and-psychedelic-fish-matthias-geniar) - [More efficient software for more efficient microchips](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1164-more-efficient-software-for-more-efficient-microchips) - [Building a hypercar from scratch](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/607-building-a-hypercar-from-scratch) - [Are you still programming unit tests or already generating?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/722-are-you-still-programming-unit-tests-or-already-generating) ## Related Articles - [How We Built a Worry-Free System That Runs for 10+ Years – And What We’d Do Again](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/751-how-we-built-a-worry-free-system-that-runs-for-10-years-and-what-we-d-do-again) - [Is Software Engineering Hard?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/448-is-software-engineering-hard) - [The 8 Best Code Testing Tools](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/402-the-8-best-code-testing-tools) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [Software Engineer Career: Things You Should Know](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/143-software-engineer-career-things-you-should-know) - [Best Countries for Software Engineers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/267-best-countries-for-software-engineers)