Position Summary
As Embedded Test Automation Engineer, you will build and maintain hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test infrastructure and automated test frameworks that validate embedded firmware and hardware for IoT platforms. You will design automated test scripts, integrate them into CI/CD pipelines, and work hands-on with communication protocols (I2C, SPI, UART, CAN) and lab/bench equipment to verify embedded systems at the hardware-firmware boundary. You will also support embedded design verification - assisting with hardware and firmware integration testing - as a secondary responsibility.
This role is embedded/firmware/hardware validation - not enterprise web/mobile/gaming QA automation, and not industrial/PLC/manufacturing controls automation. Candidates without hands-on embedded or hardware-level test experience will not be a fit for this position.
This is a permanent opportunity with a competitive base salary and great benefit package.
Key Responsibilities
Embedded Software Testing & Automation
- Design and develop automated test scripts for embedded software and application components.
- Develop reusable, scalable test frameworks in Python and JavaScript.
- Integrate test automation into CI/CD workflows using GitHub Actions, Jenkins, or similar tools.
- Collaborate with development teams to embed automation into the development workflow.
- Automate test data collection, logging, and reporting systems.
- Use LabVIEW to automate test equipment, instruments, and bench setups.
- Maintain and document test infrastructure, including hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) systems.
- Troubleshoot automation failures and optimize pipeline reliability and performance.
Embedded Design Verification
- Support hardware and firmware integration testing, including bring-up of new platforms and regression testing for firmware updates.
- Test and verify communication protocols (I2C, SPI, UART, CAN, USB, LoRa/LoRaWAN, LTE/5G, BLE, Wi-Fi).
- Troubleshoot and isolate embedded issues across hardware, firmware, and system levels.
- Document test results and maintain requirements traceability.
Required Qualifications
- 3–6 years of experience in test automation, software quality engineering, or a related role in an embedded or IoT product environment.
- Proficiency in Python, C#, and JavaScript for scripting, test automation, and workflow automation.
- Demonstrated experience building and maintaining automated test frameworks from scratch - not just contributing tests to an existing suite.
- Hands-on experience with CI/CD pipelines using GitHub Actions, Jenkins, or similar tools.
- Experience with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) systems and bench test equipment (oscilloscopes, DAQs, multimeters, power supplies)
- Familiarity with embedded communication protocols (I2C, SPI, UART, CAN, USB).
- Experience with version control using Git, including branching strategies and pull request workflows.
- Ability to troubleshoot across software, firmware, and hardware layers to isolate root cause.
- Evidence of success in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment.
- Attention to detail and a strong commitment to quality and excellence.
- Must reside in the Raleigh-Durham metro area to fulfill the schedule needs of the role; non-local candidates willing to relocate may be considered. No remote arrangements available.
- No subcontracting available.
- Must be a U.S. citizen.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with wireless protocols (BLE, Wi-Fi, LoRa/LoRaWAN, LTE/5G) in an embedded or IoT context.
- Experience with automated data collection, logging, and test reporting systems.
- Familiarity with requirements traceability and test documentation practices (e.g., test plans, test reports, traceability matrices).
- Exposure to regulated-industry development practices (ISO 13485, IEC 62304, IEC 62443, or equivalent).
- Experience with hardware bring-up and firmware regression testing.
- Multi-framework fluency - experience with more than one automation framework (e.g., pytest, or a custom Python framework paired with LabVIEW/TestStand for HIL and bench automation)
- Familiarity with containerized test environments (Docker, Kubernetes) for scalable test execution.
- Working knowledge of LabVIEW or similar tools (TestStand, VISA/SCPI) for automating oscilloscopes, DAQs, and other bench instrumentation.
Core Competencies
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills - able to translate technical findings for non-technical stakeholders.
- Excellent organizational and time management skills – able to manage multiple concurrent test workstreams without dropping detail.
- Process-oriented mindset with a bias toward continuous improvement, able to actively identify and close gaps in test coverage and pipeline reliability.
- Calm under pressure, maintaining quality standards and clear thinking when deadlines compress or urgency is high.
- Demonstrates perseverance, making progress despite obstacles and setbacks.
- Excellent troubleshooting skills in complex embedded software applications, able to own a problem from symptom to root cause across multiple layers.
- Adept at making progress with minimal guidance in uncertain situations with conflicting priorities - self-directed and judgment-driven.
- Considers business-wide impacts of decisions, understanding that automation debt, test coverage gaps, and unreliable pipelines have downstream consequences beyond the QE team.
- Passion for customer satisfaction, technical excellence, and team success, treating internal engineering teams as customers of the test infrastructure.
- Demonstrates creativity and innovative thinking in problem-solving and brainstorming environments.
- Passionate about results, not just checking boxes , caring whether the product actually works, not just whether tests pass.
- Excellent troubleshooting skills in complex embedded software applications - able to own a problem from symptom to root cause across multiple layers.
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
Pay: $93,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
