Principal Engineer – Test Systems Software

Here at The Exploration Company, we are developing, producing, and operating Nyx, a modular and reusable space orbital vehicle that can eventually be refuelled in orbit and that can carry cargo - and potentially humans in the longer run. We're looking for a hands-on Principal Engineer to lead the technical direction of our Test Bench Control System software platform. You will combine deep software engineering expertise with architectural ownership and product-level thinking to ensure our platform reliably supports integrated engine hot-fire testing — with an architecture that can extend to broader test and ground operations as the program matures. You will own the software platform that sits between test engineers and the real-time control layer: enabling operators to author, review, and deploy test sequences and configurable safety parameters onto PLC hardware — while providing the live data visualization, command interfaces, and traceability infrastructure that test campaigns depend on. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES In your capacity as a Principal Engineer, Test Systems Software you will: - Define and evolve the platform architecture spanning test sequence authoring, PLC configuration deployment, real-time data acquisition, and operator interfaces - Write production-grade code across the full stack while owning the technical roadmap and driving major architectural decisions - Translate test requirements and operational needs into feature specifications, managing scope and delivering incrementally toward operational capability - Build high-throughput data pipelines for real-time ingestion, processing, and visualization of high-rate sensor data - Design the full lifecycle for both operational sequences and configurable safety parameters - Define data acquisition standards including device configuration management and calibration traceability - Architect for high reliability, observability, and operational robustness in environments where software faults carry significant hardware and safety consequences - Collaborate with Test Bench Engineers, Propulsion, and Systems Engineering to align software capabilities with campaign requirements - Lead a multidisciplinary team of five — setting engineering standards, guiding code reviews and design reviews, and balancing development velocity with the rigorous quality bar required for safety-critical infrastructure WHAT WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE FROM YOU The ideal candidate will have: - 5+ years of professional software engineering experience with demonstrated architectural ownership and technical leadership - Strong backend expertise (e.g., Python, C#, or similar) with experience in real-time or near-real-time data processing pipelines - Experience with modern frontend technologies (TypeScript, Vue/React, WebSockets) for operator interfaces and live data dashboards - Experience with containerization and orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes) for deploying and operating distributed service architectures - Deep understanding of distributed systems, API design, and inter-process communication in low-latency environments - Experience designing software systems that integrate with PLCs or similar real-time controllers — understanding the boundaries between deterministic control and higher-level application logic - Familiarity with test bench infrastructure — instrumentation systems, sensor networks, command/response workflows, and procedural automation - Strong grasp of safety-critical software design: deterministic execution, fail-safe defaults, configuration validation, and safe deployment practices in systems where errors carry hardware consequences - Product ownership mindset with strong analytical thinking, technical judgment, and attention to detail - Motivation to thrive in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment with high accountability for system readiness Bonus qualifications: - Experience in aerospace, defense, or other safety-critical domains — particularly propulsion test operations or environme