Software Quality & Test Lead Engineer
How this pay compares
This posting does not state its pay. Open software engineer jobs in Texas post a median of $140k a year, the middle half $116k–$169k, across 23 jobs that state their pay.
About the job
Software Quality & Test Lead Engineer
Houston, TX
About Intuitive Machines
Intuitive Machines is an innovative and cutting-edge space company making cislunar space accessible to both public and private customers. Our mission is to further science and exploration, communications, and economic progress from the Earth to the Moon and beyond. With multiple NASA lunar missions in development and additional private missions on our manifest, we pride ourselves in supporting NASA, our customers, and the nation in paving the way to return humans to the surface of the Moon. Our world-class team includes experts in all aspects of spacecraft subsystems design, development, and test, on-orbit operations, and safety.
About the Position
Intuitive Machines is seeking an experienced Software Quality and Test Lead to drive quality assurance and verification strategies for flight-critical and mission-critical software systems. This role combines technical leadership, process ownership, and hands-on testing to ensure our software meets the highest standards of safety, reliability, and compliance.
Responsibilities
- Technical Leadership: Lead the software quality assurance (SQA) and test strategy across flight software, ground systems, and simulation environments.
- Team Leadership: Complete performance reviews, provide feedback to team members throughout the year, and work with team members to define future career goals.
- Process Ownership:Establishand enforce software quality processes aligned with aerospace standards (CMMI)
- Verification & Validation: Manage requirements traceability, verification, and validation (V&V) activities. Establish procedures and methodologies for software verification and validation.
- Testing: Mentor and lead test engineers that will develop,maintain, and execute test plans, procedures, and automated test frameworks.
- Collaboration: Foster a collaborative and innovative work environment, promoting knowledge sharing, teamwork, and continuous improvement across the organization.
- Agile Development:Participatein bi-weekly software sprint planning with the software project manager and manage test engineer resources across multiple projects.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software/Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
- Minimum 7 years of experience in aerospace and space vehicle software quality/test, with 2+ years in a lead role.
- Proventrack recordof testing embedded, real-time, or flight software systems.
- Strong knowledge of software V&V methodologies and test automation
- Proficiencywith test tools, defect tracking (e.g., JIRA), and version control (e.g., Git)
- Experience with CI/CD tools and automated test infrastructure
- Preferred experience testing with real-time operating systems (RTOS) and avionics systems
- Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.
- Strong problem-solving abilities and a proactive approach to addressing technical challenges.
- Eligibility to work in the United States without sponsorship.
Join Our Team : If you are passionate about space exploration and eager to make meaningful contributions to the future of aerospace technology, we invite you to join us at Intuitive Machines. As a Software Quality and Test Lead Engineer, you will have the opportunity to work on cutting-edge projects and collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the industry. Take the next step in your career and be part of our journey to the stars.
US EEO Statement:
Intuitive Machines is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
From Intuitive Machines's job posting, checked 7 Nov 2026. The employer's own page is the final word on requirements and availability.
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About Intuitive Machines
Builds lunar landers and the navigation and communications services around them.
Pay on its listings: 7.7% of its open jobs state their pay
How it pays: Paid as an employee on Intuitive Machines's own payroll (salaried or hourly, as each posting states).
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