Flight Software Test Engineer - 6 month contract (Inside IR35)

We are looking for a Flight Software Test Engineer to join us on a 6 month contract (Inside IR35) This role will be based in Alton, Hampshire. Some flexibility with home-working can be offered.

Who are you?

As an Embedded Software Test Engineer, you will have the ability to understand and read requirements together with the experience of writing test cases for those requirements. You will have experience in testing embedded and application software and be experienced in using C, and in particular C unit tests.

You do not need to have direct experience with satellite software; you may have developed your skills in aerospace, automotive, medical, or other engineering industries. However, you must be a self-starter who has a proven ability to manage risks and take pragmatic approaches to resolving technical issues.

Experience in most of the following areas is required:

• Experienced in using C, and in particular C unit tests
• An understanding of embedded systems including programming devices (e.g. JTAG)
• A basic understanding of electronics (digital and analogue signals, communication protocols)
• The ability to understand and evaluate requirements
• The ability to write tests cases based on requirements
• The ability to write scripts to interact with peripheral devices
• The ability to imagine failure cases and write tests for them
• Experience in testing embedded and application software

Beneficial Skills/Experience:

• Experience in using automated testing frameworks (e.g. Robot)
• An understanding of version control (Git) and CI/CD tools (e.g. Jenkins, Team City)
• Experience of having worked in an Agile environment

What will you be doing here?

The main responsibilities in this role would be to test software on our spacecraft hardware, and to test applications developed for ground segment and operations engineers that will be used to communicate with the spacecraft. The role involves being able to conceptualise, write, conduct and document tests from a software perspective. They will be required to develop scripts to be able to deploy known software configurations on to hardware. This individual will interact directly with software and systems engineers and be involved in the development of specifications as part of software teams across the company. They would also either be able to use or be able to gain an understanding of continuous integration and delivery tools (CI/CD) and testing frameworks to be able to automate tests.

Responsibilities will include:

• Writing, conducting and documenting tests on embedded and application software
• Creating scripts that will be used to deploy software on to hardware
• Writing test cases based on software requirements
• Providing input to software teams at the time of software specification
• Software-driven testing of integrated spacecraft hardware
• Operational testing of spacecraft as a whole

Why BAE Systems? 

BAE Systems acquired In-Space Missions in 2021, and the two organisations have teamed to advance our space ambition by bringing all our space activities under a new, integrated business unit and leadership team which is focused on designing, building and operating world-class space missions for global customers.   

The new Space business unit now comprises about 200 staff across 3 sites at Alton, Guildford and Great Baddow. BAE Systems is committed to investing in Space to deliver new-space small satellite systems and space data products combined with the security and resilience of BAE Systems expertise in telemetry tracking and command processors, waveforms, electronics, antennas and digital signal processing and analytics. 

This is a place where you’ll be able to make a real difference. You’ll be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity, rewards integrity, and merit, and where you’ll be empowered to fulfil your potential. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds including those that are currently underrepresented within our industry, including women, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities and LGBTQ+ individuals. 

We also want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition (for example dyslexia, autism, an anxiety disorder that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments. 

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation.  

All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.