Principal Manufacturing Test Engineer

About The Role

ZT Systems is entering a new chapter of growth fueled by the next generation of hyperscale AI systems. These rack-scale, liquid-cooled, and highly interconnected architectures demand smart factories with integrated human–machine interfaces and deep, data-rich environments that deliver both reliability and innovation. We are seeking technical leaders with a quality mindset across multiple engineering disciplines to help shape this future — combining our culture of execution with new strengths in metrology, mechatronics, and test architecture to build advanced automation, predictive analytics, and AI-enabled processes that redefine how customer experience is delivered.

What You Will Do

• Lead or contribute to transformation initiatives, helping set new standards for how ZT approaches manufacturing risk analysis, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Define and implement new systems, processes, or frameworks that support the smart factory vision, including automation, metrology, advanced inspection and testing, and predictive analytics.
• Collaborate across design, quality, manufacturing, test, and supplier engineering to drive solutions that integrate seamlessly into production.
• Leverage deep, data-rich environments and tools to generate insights; drive continuous improvement to yield, reliability, and throughput using root cause analysis and TTF (Time to Failure) insights.
• Apply advanced statistical and analytical methods to identify, quantify, and control risk in complex manufacturing environments.
• Translate DFM and PFMEA outputs into actionable process controls, ensuring proactive prevention of variation rather than reactive correction.
• Create and Strategy and lead the development and execution of cluster-level validation testing.
• Develop and implement Best-in-Class manufacturing test practices and create a clear roadmap to achieve them.
• Nurture outside the box thinking and create a risk-taking culture to enable the creation of leading-edge test processes and utilities.
• Serve as SME for understanding customer product design, along with test and infrastructure requirements.
• Create and own the Design-for-Test (DFT) strategy across all products.
• Coach and nurture global test stakeholders to maximize their potential and facilitate a culture of learning and growth. Act as a thought partner and subject matter expert to refine ideas, generate hypotheses, and analyze data to formulate solutions.
• Design and oversee the deployment of high-reliability factory test infrastructure and test stations (manual, automated, and semi-automated).
• Specify and manage Test Management and Execution Software to coordinate diagnostics, test workflows, and reporting. Specify, develop, and maintain Test Executive test automation software for module and system-level testing.
• Lead the integration of customer test requirements, software, and infrastructure into factory systems.
• Create and maintain comprehensive test plans and test coverage reports.
• Drive the adoption of industry-standard and open-source test tools.
• Create industry leading low-level tests, utilities, and diagnostics at the module and board-level.
• Champion automation across test stages to improve cycle time, test coverage, and yield.
• Develop and optimize Server- and Rack-Level Tests including:
• Assembly line verification (including supplementation with automated inspection tools)
• BOM & Configuration Validation
• Firmware Updates (in-band, out-of-band, fixture-based)
• System Stress Testing and Burn-In
• Integration of customer supplied test
• Optimize test cycle times through TTF analysis and strategic quality sampling.
• Lead Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and implementation of corrective actions.

What You Bring

• Advanced degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, or a related field.
• 10–15 years of experience in high-volume, high-complexity manufacturing, with at least 5 years in leadership or transformation roles (not necessarily people management).
• Deep knowledge of hyperscale system architecture, including: - Intel based architecture, Hardware management (BMC, SMC, etc.), Storage, memory, GPU, networking, Liquid cooling systems, Factory network infrastructure design.
• Experience in the interactions across the hardware stack: hardware <-> BIOS/FW <-> Driver <-> OS <-> Application.
• Expertise in test development at multiple levels: board, module, server, rack, cluster.
• Strong background in diagnostics, fault isolation tools, and root cause methodologies.
• Proven experience designing and maintaining high-volume production test stations.
• Demonstrated expertise in statistical and analytical methods such as regression analysis, correlation analysis, DOE, SPC, PFMEA, Gauge R&R, and commonality studies using software tools such as Minitab, JMP, etc.
• Proficiency with data-driven tools such as Minitab, JMP, Python, R, SQL (or equivalent) to analyze and interpret large, complex datasets.
• Track record of driving measurable improvements in yield, reliability, or process robustness.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage at both executive and technical levels.
• Background in electronics assembly, PCBA, servers, or other high-reliability industries (e.g., aerospace, medical devices, automotive, etc.).
• Experience coaching or mentoring technical teams to upskill in data-driven decision-making.

Nice to Haves

• Exposure to or knowledge of AI/ML toolsets for statistical problem solving, predictive analytics, or anomaly detection.
• Experience in hyperscale data centers, with cloud infrastructure companies, or with server OEM/ODMs.
• Familiarity with global manufacturing operations, including working with CM/JDB/ODM partners.
• MBA or exposure to business, finance or economics is advantageous.