Senior Software QA Engineer

About the Role

Firestorm's Embedded Linux team builds the software platform that manages our vehicles. The embedded Linux team handles cameras and drivers, configuration and control of radios, and other operating system level services; middleware and Linux services; low-level drivers and HALs; and the critical interfaces that connect autonomy, payloads, and comms.

We're hiring a Senior Software QA Engineer to be the first deep-testing line for this software stack-validating embedded firmware, board support packages, device drivers, and safety-critical data paths long before Flight Test. You'll blend expert exploratory/system testing with targeted automation across HIL/SIL rigs, exercising real buses (CAN/CAN-FD, UART, SPI, IC, Ethernet) and stressing links (MAVLink, Tactical Data Links, etc.) under real-world fault conditions. You'll partner closely with avionics, autonomy, radio, and payload engineers to harden reliability where it matters most: on the aircraft.

This is a full-time, onsite role at our San Diego HQ. Expect meaningful hands-on time with benches, flight computers, power systems, radios, and sensors to validate end-to-end flight workflows.

What You'll Do

• Own system test for embedded Linux, providing fast, actionable feedback on functional defects, timing issues, and regressions that impact flight safety and operator trust.
• Validate engineering work: during sprints engineering individual tasks will be verified to the acceptance criteria defined by the task and verified in the build.
• Plan and execute risk-based strategies: feature/bring-up test plans, exploratory charters, protocol-level regression suites, acceptance criteria, and release sign-off gates ahead of Flight Test.
• Contribute to automation for HIL/SIL:
  • SIL: host-based unit/integration tests for drivers and middleware (e.g., gtest/pytest), simulation of sensors/buses, fault-injection hooks.
  • HIL: Python-driven benches to exercise serial/CAN/Ethernet I/O, sensor emulators, and power-cycle/bootloader/OTA flows; automate log capture and golden-trace diffs.
• Stand up reproducible rigs: power supplies/electronic loads, CAN analyzers, logic analyzers, GNSS/sensor simulators, programmable RF links; script scenario playback and telemetry injection.
• Instrument and diagnose: collect structured logs/metrics; create packet and log scrapers; use Wireshark, logic-analyzer traces, and serial/TCP/UDP sniffers to isolate timing and state issues quickly.
• Own defect triage: minimize and reproduce; steps, suspected root cause; track to closure with responsible engineers.
• Contribute to safety, security, and reliability hardening aligned to MIL-STD/DO guidance (negative testing, permission audits, fail-safe defaults, persistent-state hygiene).
• Produce clear and concise test docs (plans, procedures, bench/bring-up checklists) and mentor engineers on embedded QA techniques and automation patterns.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Robotics, Computer Science, Engineering, or related field
• 5+ years professional QA/SDET experience, including automation for embedded/real-time or safety-critical systems.
• Hands-on testing for embedded Linux and driver/HAL layers across UART/SPI/IC/CAN-FD/Ethernet.
• Practical experience building automated tests with Python (pytest/Robot or equivalent) controlling benches over serial/CAN/Ethernet; comfort with C/C++ artifacts and host-based unit tests (gtest).
• Comfortable validating networked real-time systems (MAVLink, DDS, WebSockets), async I/O, and telemetry flows under constrained or lossy links.
• Proficient with Linux and Windows test environments, CLI tooling, scripting (Python/Bash/PowerShell), and Git.
• Experience integrating test suites into CI/CD (GitLab CI/Jenkins/GitHub Actions) and working with firmware packaging/bootloaders/OTA.
• Strong exploratory testing, defect isolation, and written communication-able to translate flight and bring-up workflows into crisp, testable scenarios.
• U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Deep experience with HIL/SIL design (sensor and bus emulation, fault injection, golden-trace comparison) and data-driven test design.
• Experience with PX4/ArduPilot middleware, uORB/parameters, and flight-control logging; familiarity with QGroundControl mission/telemetry workflows.
• Protocol/domain knowledge: MAVLink, STANAG 4586, Cursor-on-Target, DDS/RTPS, CAN diagnostics.
• Comfort with radios, GNSS, IMUs, payload interfaces, and lab bring-up; basic electronics (oscilloscope/logic-analyzer/JTAG) a plus.
• Performance/reliability testing: stress/soak/latency, boot-time and watchdog behavior, power-interrupt/EMI considerations; awareness of DO-178C/DO-160/MIL-STD-810/461 practices.
• Experience with Yocto/Buildroot, containerized benches (Docker/Podman), and artifact reproducibility.
• Test management/reporting (e.g., TestRail/Jira) and metrics for release readiness.

Work Environment

• Onsite at San Diego HQ with frequent hands-on work at benches and labs; tight collaboration with avionics, autonomy, payload, manufacturing, and Flight Test.
• Frequent local field/range support for pre-flight validation in potentially harsh environments; some travel (
• Fast-paced, iterative development with tight feedback loops; you'll help harden reliability before software reaches Flight Test.
• Ability to lift/move lab kits (~25 lbs) occasionally and follow lab/range safety procedures.

Compensation

US Salary Range: $85,000 - $120,000 USD.

The posted salary range reflects an estimate based on a variety of compensation factors, including but not limited to relevant experience, education, certifications, specialized skills, geographic location, and business needs. Actual compensation may vary, and this range is subject to change as our compensation structure or market conditions evolve.

Benefits & Perks

Our culture fosters collaboration, respect, and trust, empowering passionate people to do their best work. We offer a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for career growth. In addition to an opportunity to take part in an innovative, collaborative and fast-growing business with a highly motivated and skilled team, we also take pride in taking care of our employees. Here are just a few ways that we show our appreciation:

• We offer comprehensive medical, dental, and visions plans
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan to invest in your long-term retirement goals
• Unlimited PTO
• Extremely generous company holiday calendar, including a holiday hiatus in December.
• Generous Parental Leave
• FSA
• HSA
• Hospital Indemnity insurance
• Critical Illness insurance
• Accident insurance
• Basic Life/AD&D, short-term and long-term disability insurance, 100% covered by Firestorm. Plus, the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your family.
• Mental Health Resources:
  • We provide free mental health resources 24/7 including therapy and more. Additional work-life services, such as free legal and financial support, are available to you as well.