Manufacturing Software Engineer
Loft Orbital
Software Engineering
Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates
Posted on Feb 21, 2026
Wanna join the adventure?
Orbitworks is scaling its satellite manufacturing and test capabilities and is seeking Manufacturing Software Engineers to join its Test Engineering team. This role focuses on developing robust, lean, and scalable test software frameworks that support satellite subsystem and system-level testing in a production environment.
The Manufacturing Software Engineer translates test requirements into efficient, automated scripts and tools, improves troubleshooting workflows, and enhances test repeatability, reliability, and execution speed across manufacturing builds. This is a hands-on engineering role requiring strong coding skills, structured troubleshooting, and the ability to operate close to hardware in an AIT/manufacturing setting.
About This Role:
- Test Software Development
- Develop and maintain automated test scripts (e.g., Python-based frameworks).
- Translate system and manufacturing test requirements into executable code.
- Build modular, reusable, and scalable test libraries.
- Implement clear pass/fail logic, data logging, and reporting structures.
- Automation & Lean Test Frameworks
- Identify manual or repetitive test activities and drive automation.
- Design efficient test flows to reduce execution time and operator dependency.
- Improve CI/CD workflows for test software releases.
- Ensure traceability between requirements, scripts, and test results.
- Troubleshooting & Debugging
- Debug issues at:
- Script level (logic, timing, data handling)
- Interface level (communication protocols, drivers)
- Hardware interface level (signals, power sequencing, telemetry)
- Support root cause analysis for test anomalies.
- Collaborate with Electrical, AIT, and Systems teams during issue resolution.
- EGSE & Test Bench Support
- Interface test Infrastructure and EGSE teams for test benches and EGSE hardware and instrumentation.
- Support commissioning of new test stations.
- Validate communication protocols (UART, CAN, Ethernet, RS422/485, etc.).
- Ensure robustness against edge cases and environmental variability.
- Production Support
- Support manufacturing builds during functional and environmental test campaigns.
- Improve test execution speed and reliability across flight models.
- Capture lessons learned and implement software improvements for repeat builds.
Must Haves:
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, or related field.
- 3–7 years of experience in Test software development, embedded systems, or hardware-in-the-loop environments.
- Strong proficiency in Python (required).
- Experience with Hardware interfacing and instrumentation control, Serial/Ethernet communication protocols, and Data logging and structured test reporting.
- Strong debugging and structured problem-solving skills.
- Experience working close to hardware in test, integration, or manufacturing environments.
- Clear and structured documentation skills.
Nice To Haves:
- Experience in aerospace, satellite AIT, or high-reliability industries.
- Familiarity with ECSS or similar verification standards, CI/CD pipelines and version control (Git), and Automated test frameworks (PyTest, Robot, custom frameworks).
- Experience with Power systems testing, Environmental test software support (TVAC, vibration instrumentation), and Database integration for test result traceability.
- Exposure to LabVIEW, MATLAB, or similar tools.
Orbitworks' mission is to make space simple for organizations that want to deploy physical and virtual missions to space. Building on Loft Orbital's heritage, Orbitworks will be the first commercial firm in the United Arab Emirates to mass-manufacture satellites. Orbitworks aims to manufacture tens of satellites annually and operates out of a 50,000-square-foot facility in Abu Dhabi.