Principal Software Test Engineer

Sierra Space Careers: Dare to Dream

About the Role

Do you enjoy developing new products and services? Join us! Our Software Engineers work in an agile, collective environment. You will be using your skills and expertise to define, design, develop, test, certify and improve cutting-edge software products. These cover a very wide range from advanced mission payloads and electronic systems through highly integrated aircraft to orbital and space exploration systems. You'll perform coding, debugging, testing, and troubleshooting of systems and software throughout our development process. Your technical duties involve the design and development of new software products throughout the product lifecycle.

Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

• Review and analyze software design descriptions, Interface Control Documents (ICDs), and requirements in coordination with development teams
• Design and architect various aspects of the test campaign
• Development of test descriptions, test code, and peer reviews
• Development and review of software code, specifically automated Python test scripts to be leveraged in the Continuous Integration environment
• Investigate, create, and close software bugs and test product bugs
• Plan team execution of software release tests, acceptance tests, and qualification tests
• Collect and report technical, schedule, and cost metrics
• Directly contribute to software critical path work that will enable first flight milestones including FQT, NASA Joint Tests, and Software Certification
• Interface with multiple cross-functional teams including Models and Simulations, Software Development, Hardware Development, Labs, Tools, Safety & Mission Assurance, and Program Management
• Use JIRA for software project management & development
• Zephyr test case description updates and peer reviews
• Perform anomaly investigations, test tool integrations, and Software Change Request (SCR) creation, evaluation, and closure
• Maximizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the test flow
• Managing scope creep and technical debt
• Mentoring junior engineers

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's of Science degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering or other related discipline and typically 14(fourteen) or more years of relevant experience
• Relevant work experience may be considered in lieu of required education.
• Thorough understanding of Computer Aided Engineering tools
• Demonstrated knowledge of engineering principles and practices
• Experience working in multi-disciplinary teams
• The ability to obtain and maintain a Security Clearance may be required. Learn more about the background check process for Security Clearances

Preferred Qualifications:

• Understanding of industry standard software languages such as C, C#, C++, HTML, Java, Python, and Bash
• Experience with software tools for requirements tracking, code reviews, static analysis, library and artifact repository, and automated build
• Knowledge of software development methodologies such as Agile/Scrum, Waterfall, and Spiral
• Proficient with data structures
• Embedded software test lead experience
• Leadership in software development for test – directing test descriptions, test code, test procedures
• Skilled in Python test script development and review
• Test data and root-cause analysis experience
• Experience as a technical lead and/or product owner 
• Skilled in systems thinking, data analysis, and verification/validation
• Experience with Linux/Unix command line interfaces
• Experience leveraging an Aircraft/Spacecraft simulator as part of a test platform
• Software-in-the-loop and Hardware-in-the-loop test experience
• Experience analyzing bus data and network communication protocols such as MIL-STD-1553
• NASA 7150.2 and/or DO-178 experience
• Test automation and continuous integration experience 
• Experience with test management tools for requirements tracking, test case tracking, test code reviews, test pipeline configuration and execution, and automated test results
• Experience planning and directing software release tests, acceptance tests, and qualification tests
• Avionics hardware integration and test experience with flight and non-flight hardware
• Flight software integration and test experience
• Knowledge of Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC), Command & Data Handling (C&DH), Communications/RF, Electrical Power Systems, Mechatronics, Propulsion
• 1553, RS422, ethernet, NASA ISS interfaces, MODBUS, CAN
• Laboratory experience with generic lab equipment and protocols
• Control Account Management experience and Earned Value Management
• Configuration management
• Software classifications and safety criticality, especially for aerospace use
• Experience with Fault Detection, Isolation & Recovery (FDIR) and Condition Monitors and Action Sequences (CMAS) software
• LLR and HLR testing
• Experience with writing, decomposing, and analyzing requirements including high-level (HLR) and low-level (LLR)
• Experience with component, systems-level, and spacecraft-level testing

At Sierra Space we deliver customer-focused technology and best-of-breed integrations in the aerospace and defense sectors. Sierra Space has been honored as one of the most innovative U.S. companies in space, a Tier One Superior Supplier for the U.S. Air Force, and as one of America’s fastest-growing companies.

Physical/Mental/Emotional Requirements:

• Frequently walk, sit, stand, climb stairs and steps

• Frequently repeat same hand, arm, and finger motion many times to include finger and hand dexterity

• Rarely lifting or carrying up to 20 lbs.

Working Conditions:

• Rarely exposed to outdoor elements (high/low temperatures, sun, rain/snow, etc.)

• Rarely exposed to fumes or hazardous chemicals/materials

• Rarely exposed to loud noises

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret U.S. Security Clearance. U.S. Citizenship status is required as this position needs an active U.S. Security Clearance for employment. Non-U.S. citizens may not be eligible to obtain a security clearance.  The Department of Defense Consolidated Adjudications Facility (DoD CAF), a federal government agency, handles the adjudicative aspects of the security clearance eligibility process for industry applicants. Adjudicative factors which affect the outcome of the eligibility determination include, but are not limited to, allegiance to the U.S., foreign influence, foreign preference, criminal conduct, security violations and illegal drug use.

Estimated Starting Salary Range:

$159,430.15 - $219,216.46

At Sierra Space we are at the very doorstep of unlocking the future and the work in front of us is hard, but it is truly important and meaningful. Achieving our mission requires dedication, relentless pursuit of a dream and an unwavering passion for pushing the boundaries to accomplish what others might believe to be impossible. We seek those who too, Dare to Dream and will join us in a pursuit to achieve the extraordinary.

Application Deadline: This role will remain posted until a qualified pool of candidates are identified.