Test Engineer, Ground Systems Seen this week
About Observable Space
Observable Space builds precision optics platforms and ground station systems trusted by NASA, JPL, SpaceX, Boeing, Raytheon, and the US DoD. We combine opto-mechanical hardware, embedded computing, cloud orchestration, and APIs into products enabling real-time navigation, observation, and communication in space.
The Role
As a Test Engineer, Ground Systems, you will design, build, and operate test systems that validate the performance, reliability, and integration of hardware and software in real-world environments. You will work directly with physical systems, develop automated test frameworks, simulate operational conditions, and debug complex issues across electrical, mechanical, and software domains. You will report to the Systems or Embedded Engineering Lead.
Key Responsibilities
- Architect, implement, and document test systems for ground-based observatory and telescope platforms.
- Design and maintain automated test frameworks that validate system performance, reliability, and integration.
- Build and operate hardware-in-the-loop (HIL/HITL) and system-level test environments.
- Develop simulation environments to emulate real-world operating conditions, including sensor inputs, control systems, and communication interfaces.
- Debug complex issues across hardware and software boundaries, including intermittent and edge-case failures.
- Collaborate closely with embedded, electrical, mechanical, and software teams to ensure comprehensive system validation.
- Define and execute test plans, validation procedures, and performance benchmarks.
- Support hardware bring-up, integration, and field testing of ground systems.
- Integrate automated testing into CI/CD pipelines to ensure continuous validation of system performance.
- Participate in product design reviews to ensure testability, reliability, and long-term maintainability.
Basic Qualifications
- 5+ years of experience in test engineering, embedded systems, or systems-level development.
- Strong programming skills in Python, C/C++, or similar languages used for automation and system testing.
- Experience designing and implementing system-level or hardware-integrated test environments.
- Solid understanding of hardware interfaces (I2C, SPI, CAN, Ethernet, UART) and embedded systems.
- Experience with lab instrumentation (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, multimeters, etc.) for debugging and validation.
- Ability to read and interpret schematics and debug at the electrical-software boundary.
- Strong debugging intuition and ability to diagnose complex system-level issues.
- Experience working in fast-paced prototyping environments with rapid iteration cycles.
- Strong product sense with a focus on reliability, robustness, and field performance.
Bonus Qualifications
- Experience with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL/HITL) testing or simulation-based validation systems.
- Familiarity with embedded Linux, RTOS, or firmware development environments.
- Experience with networking systems, distributed control systems, or telemetry pipelines.
- Background in robotics, observatory systems, or remote/automated operations.
- Experience building CI/CD pipelines for hardware-integrated systems.
- Experience with environmental testing or field deployment of hardware systems.
- Contributions to open-source testing frameworks or embedded systems projects.
- Passion for astronomy, physics, and scientific exploration.
What We Offer
- Competitive compensation aligned with industry standards and your experience.
- Equity opportunities with stock options.
- Hybrid work environment with minimum 3 days per week in LA office.
- Unlimited PTO and paid holidays.
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with 100% employer-paid premiums.
- Latest hardware and software tools.
- Mission-driven culture with meaningful real-world impact.