Manufacturing Test Engineer

TrellisWare launched in 2000 with an innovative culture striving to push technological boundaries in wireless communications. We are now a worldwide leader in highly advanced algorithms, waveforms, and communications systems that range from small form factor radio products to fully integrated solutions. At TrellisWare, we connect passion with purpose and together we make an impact—on our careers, our company, and the world.

About the role

The Operations Team is seeking a Manufacturing Test Engineer to develop, implement, and continuously improve manufacturing test processes and automated test systems for TrellisWare products. This role will bring test solutions from product development into production, support new product introductions, and improve the performance, reliability, and scalability of existing manufacturing test systems. The Manufacturing Test Engineer will work closely with Hardware, Software, Product, Quality, Operations, and contract manufacturing partners to ensure products are designed for testability, test systems are production-ready, and processes consistently deliver high-quality products.

This role combines hands-on test engineering, software development, manufacturing process development, data analysis, and production support. The ideal candidate is analytical, technically curious, and comfortable working across hardware and software disciplines. They enjoy understanding why something fails, developing practical solutions, and turning engineering concepts into robust, repeatable manufacturing processes.

Willing to travel about 15% of the time.

Responsibilities

• Implement and maintain automated manufacturing test systems for TrellisWare products, including automated test scripts to verify product functionality and characterize key performance parameters.
• Partner with Engineering to drive Design for Testability (DFT) and ensure products can be efficiently tested in production.
• Design and develop test fixtures, interfaces, and supporting hardware for production testing.
• Develop and maintain test infrastructure, including APIs, test sequencers, user interfaces, data collection, databases, and post-processing tools.
• Program and integrate test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, signal generators, radio emulators, network analyzers, RF switch matrices, and multimeters.
• Transition test systems and processes from Engineering into production, ensuring test coverage, documentation, equipment, fixtures, software, and training are ready for launch.
• Work with contract manufacturers to deploy, validate, troubleshoot, and improve manufacturing test systems and processes.
• Analyze manufacturing and test data to identify trends, improve accuracy and throughput, reduce defects, and increase first-pass yield.
• Perform root cause analysis of test and manufacturing failures and implement corrective actions.
• Troubleshoot hardware, software, test equipment, fixtures, and product issues encountered during production.
• Develop and maintain test procedures, work instructions, documentation, and troubleshooting guides.
• Utilize asset management tools and work with outside vendors to ensure test equipment is well stocked, maintained, and calibrated.
• Collaborate with Quality department to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements such as ISO9001 and maintain proper documentation for all testing procedures.
• Work with outside vendors and internal teams to procure test equipment and materials.
• Train and support contract manufacturing personnel on test systems, procedures, and troubleshooting.
• Support NPI builds, pilot production, product transfers, and sustaining manufacturing activities.
• Identify opportunities to improve test coverage, automation, cycle time, yield, reliability, and manufacturing efficiency.
• Develop scalable test solutions that can be deployed across multiple products and manufacturing partners.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of manufacturing and test processes, tools, and methodologies.
• Perform additional duties as requested or assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Manufacturing Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field.
• 1-8 years of experience developing automated test systems and/or manufacturing test processes.
• Experience programming in Python, C#, VB.NET, C/C++, or similar languages.
• Experience with Linux and Windows-based systems, test equipment, and automated test environments.
• Experience developing test fixtures or production test interfaces is preferred.
• Experience working with contract manufacturers and supporting NPI or production launches is a plus.
• Experience with RF test equipment, wireless communications products, or radio systems is strongly preferred.
• Experience with databases, test data collection, and analysis is a plus.
• U.S. Citizenship (required for security clearance eligibility).

Skills

• Strong understanding of hardware, software, product test, and manufacturing disciplines.
• Strong programming and scripting skills with the ability to develop and maintain automated test software.
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills with the ability to diagnose complex hardware, software, and test issues.
• Familiarity with RF technology, radio design, and RF test equipment is preferred.
• Familiarity with embedded systems, Linux, networking, and communications technologies is preferred.
• Experience with automated test architecture, sequencing, data collection, and post-processing.
• Ability to analyze test and manufacturing data and use it to drive process improvements.
• Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively with Engineering, Operations, Quality, and external manufacturing partners.
• Strong initiative, judgment, and ability to prioritize multiple projects.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Ability to think creatively and develop practical solutions to complex manufacturing and test problems.
• Champions change, promotes innovation, and demonstrates curiosity about how products and processes work.

Physical Demands

• Able to frequently sit, stand, walk, use hands to fingers, handle or feel, reach within hands and arm’s length, stoop, kneel, and crouch, talk and hear.
• Regularly required to sit for extended periods of time; frequently required to use office equipment such as PC, printer, telephone, etc.
• Able to regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Pay

San Diego, California Pay Range: $85,000 - $110,000 USD annually, based on qualifications and experience.