Senior Software Automation Engineer

About the job Senior Software Automation Engineer

About Castelion

Castelion is bringing a new approach to defense development and production: one that focuses on short, iterative design cycles, rapid testing in development, and modern commercial manufacturing strategies for production at scale. We're designing, building, and testing next generation long range strike weapons systems to give America and its Allies a definitive edge and deter future conflicts.

Senior Software Automation Engineer

We are seeking a hands-on Senior Software Automation Engineer to be at the forefront of architecting and developing software that drives our radar manufacturing and test infrastructure. In this role, you will design and implement Python-based applications that control RF test equipment, environmental chambers, and data acquisition systems, while ensuring all captured data is stored, organized, and accessible within a PostgreSQL backend.

This position is critical in scaling and streamlining test procedures for high-reliability radar systems, supporting both production and engineering validation. You'll work closely with test, manufacturing, and RF engineering teams to build robust, repeatable automation workflows that improve efficiency, traceability, and product quality.

Responsibilities

• Architect and maintain PostgreSQL database schemas to support test, manufacturing, and validation workflows, ensuring efficient data storage and retrieval.
• Develop automation scripts in Python to control test chambers, RF instruments (e.g., signal generators, spectrum/network analyzers), and radar devices under test (DUTs).
• Interface with lab and production equipment using SCPI commands over TCP/IP protocols.
• Automate test sequences for radar performance validation, environmental stress screening (ESS), thermal cycling, and long-duration burn-in tests.
• Capture, process, and store test data in PostgreSQL with appropriate tagging, indexing, and schema design for traceability and reporting.
• Integrate automation systems with MES or internal tracking tools to ensure device-level traceability and seamless data flow across teams.
• Implement robust error handling, retries, and logging mechanisms to support 24/7 testing environments and minimize downtime.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with test engineers, RF engineers, and manufacturing teams to ensure system reliability, repeatability, and scalability across hardware revisions.

Basic Requirements

• Bachelors degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, or related technical field (or equivalent practical experience).
• 3+ years of professional experience developing software in Python.
• Hands-on experience with SQL databases (PostgreSQL strongly preferred).
• Experience automating test equipment and systems, including use of SCPI commands and TCP/IP protocols.
• Familiarity with Linux environments, including shell scripting and system troubleshooting.
• Demonstrated ability to design, implement, and maintain reliable software systems supporting hardware-in-the-loop or test automation environments.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Programming Expertise: Proven proficiency in Python. Solid experience working with SQL databases (preferably PostgreSQL) and familiarity with cloud infrastructure platforms such as Azure or AWS.
• System Design & Integration: Demonstrated success in designing and building scalable data-driven solutions for hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) environments or test automation systems. Experience integrating automation workflows into CI/CD pipelines for embedded hardware or manufacturing test systems.
• Technical Proficiency: Strong knowledge of Linux-based environments, including shell scripting, network configuration/troubleshooting, and system performance analysis. Skilled in debugging, profiling, performance tuning, and writing maintainable, well-tested code.
• Analytical & Problem-Solving Ability: Innovative and methodical approach to solving complex system problems using first-principles thinking. Experience developing rapid prototypes to test technical hypotheses, validate design decisions, and define engineering constraints

Leadership Qualities

• Bias to Action and Creative Problem Solving. Desire and experience questioning assumptions in ways that lead to break through ideas that are ultimately implemented. Successfully bring in applicable processes/concepts/materials from other industries to achieve efficiency gains. Ability to personally resolve minor issues in development without requiring significant support.
• High Commitment, High Initiative. A successful candidate will have a genuine passion for Castelion's mission and consistently look for ways to contribute to the company's technical goals and prevent hardware blockers. Ability to work in a fast paced, autonomously driven, and demanding atmosphere. Strong sense of accountability and integrity.
• Clear Communicator. Proactively communicates blockers. Trusted in previous roles to be voice of company with regulators, suppliers, gate keepers and customers. Capable of tactfully managing relationships with stakeholders to achieve company-desired outcomes without compromising relationships. Emails, IMs and verbal interactions are logical, drive clarity, and detailed enough to eliminate ambiguity.

ITAR Requirements:

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Employment with Castelion is governed on the basis of competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

All employees are granted long-term stock incentives as part of their employment as Castelion. All employees receive access to comprehensive medial, vision, and dental insurance, and the company offers four weeks of paid time off per year.