Hardware Test & Automation Engineer
Software Engineering, Other Engineering
Toulouse, France
Overview
We are looking for a hands-on engineer to build and operate the test infrastructure that validates our spacecraft GNC hardware. You'll own a fleet of custom testbeds and the automation software (mostly Python-based) that drives them. The role sits at the intersection between bench work, test software development, and electronics testing: building the tools that ensure our flight hardware test processes are reproducible, fast, and reliable.
What matters is that you know how to handle and test critical hardware rigorously, write clean modular Python software, relying on standard git-based configuration workflows as a daily reflex.
What you will do:
Build and own test stations. Design, wire, code, and keep them running.
Write the Python code that runs the benches. Automated test scripts, data acquisition, processing pipelines, reporting tools — all versioned in Git, structured to be shared with and used by other engineers.
Run formal test campaigns. From component-level validation to subsystem acceptance, including occasional flight hardware (mostly EM/EQM units). Document results, feed performance models, support design reviews.
Bring up and debug electronic boards. Incoming inspection, first article checks, board-level debug with oscilloscope, logic analyzer, multimeter, and power supplies.
Participate in AIT campaigns, including environmental testing.
What you bring:
BS+5 or MS+3 in Electronics, Mechatronics, Embedded Systems, Test Engineering, Aerospace, or related field.
3+ years of relevant experience in hardware testing, validation, or characterization — in any rigorous domain: aerospace, semiconductor, automotive, medical, defense, industrial.
Strong Python proficiency. Structured, maintainable code.
Git as a daily workflow. Branches, pull requests, code review.
Comfortable handling sensitive hardware: ESD protocols, clean room practices, careful documentation.
Strong hands-on experience with lab instruments: oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, multimeters, power supplies, signal generators.
Comfortable in Linux / Bash environments.
Experience building and operating test jigs using Raspberry Pi, Arduino, or similar embedded platforms.
Organized and proactive problem solver who thrives in a hands-on, fast-paced startup environment.
Bonus points:
Knowledge of GNC sensors and actuators (IMUs, star trackers, reaction wheels, magnetorquers...) and associated test methods.
Experience with spacecraft AIT and environmental testing (thermal vacuum, vibration, EMC).
Familiarity with common embedded communication interfaces: SPI, I²C, UART, CAN, RS-422/485.
Exposure to CI/CD, configuration management, or test framework design (pytest, etc.).
PCB design experience (Altium, KiCad, or equivalent) for test boards and adapters.