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Salary: USD 90,000 - 120,000 / annual
Shift5 is an observability platform for onboard operational technology (OT) serving defense, aerospace, and rail sectors. The company specializes in cybersecurity, predictive maintenance, and compliance for OT systems across transportation and critical infrastructure fleets.
You will join as a Test Engineer responsible for qualifying embedded products (hardware/software), driving production test automation, and supporting hardware-firmware-software integration in a Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) environment. This is a hands-on role requiring expertise in hardware setup, test fixture design, software test tool development, and QA processes.
Key responsibilities include:
**Production Test Automation & Execution:** Design, develop, and deploy automated test scripts and software frameworks for production testing, end-of-line verification, environmental-stress screening, and acceptance testing. Troubleshoot and debug failures during production testing, collaborating with hardware, firmware, and production teams to isolate root causes. Develop, validate, maintain, and version-control test software, automated test procedures, and production test fixtures.
**Environmental Qualification & Compliance:** Design, execute, and oversee comprehensive test plans for hardware environmental qualification and compliance standards (MIL-STD, DO-160, IPC). Manage test setup, connectivity, execution, and data collection within internal test environments and at third-party qualification test laboratories. Develop and maintain detailed technical documentation including Test Plans, Test Procedures, Test Reports, and Verification & Validation (V&V) artifacts.
**Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) & System Design Verification:** Assist in operating and maintaining the HIL lab, including configuration, cabling design, and hardware integration of test benches, test fixtures, and instrumentation. Collaborate with design engineers to perform Design Verification Testing (DVT), regression testing, and low-level system integration across embedded hardware, firmware, and software interfaces. Continuously improve test environments, methodologies, and automated coverage.
Success means seamlessly executing and documenting qualification testing internally and at third-party labs; building and scaling version-controlled automated test frameworks and production fixtures; keeping the HIL lab operational and well-configured; and working effectively with hardware, firmware, and production teams to isolate root causes and drive product improvements.
The role is based in Rosslyn, VA headquarters and requires up to 20% travel to support hardware qualification testing at third-party labs and on-site customer integration testing.
**Requirements:**
**Required:**
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field
- 3+ years of experience in hardware qualification testing, HIL testing, or test automation
- Strong understanding of hardware/software QA processes, test automation frameworks, and scripting languages (Python, LabVIEW, MATLAB/Simulink)
- Direct experience setting up and connecting hardware components, test fixtures, measurement equipment, and diagnostic tools (oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, logic analyzers, DAQs)
- Familiarity with Linux operating systems, embedded software debugging, firmware concepts (HDL), and embedded Linux devices
- Ability to obtain a US Government security clearance (Active Security Clearance preferred)
- Self-motivated with strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills; passionate about driving technical and procedural impact in a small team environment
**Preferred:**
- Knowledge of communication protocols such as CAN, Ethernet, SPI, I2C, and UART
- Knowledge of MIL-STD, DO-160, and IPC standards
- Understanding of manufacturing/production processes and quality frameworks such as AS9100 or ISO 9001
