Test Engineer

About the role

Shift5 is seeking a Test Engineer to join our growing team. In this role, you will be involved in all aspects of qualifying our embedded products (hardware/software), driving production test automation, and supporting the integration of hardware, firmware, and software in our Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) environment. This position requires hands-on experience with hardware setup and connectivity, the ability to build test fixtures, create software test tools, and apply a strong understanding of hardware/software QA processes and automated test execution. You will be responsible for the setup, automation, and execution of tests across third-party qualification labs, internal manufacturing production areas, and HIL / system test environments. This includes developing and maintaining robust test procedures for production hardware and software, managing version control for qualification and production test code, and collaborating with cross-functional engineering teams to ensure complete test coverage, product quality, and high reliability. This position is based out of our headquarters in Rosslyn, VA and requires up to 20% travel to support hardware qualification testing at 3rd party labs and on-site customer integration testing.

Responsibilities

• 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 (e.g., 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.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience: 3+ years of experience in hardware qualification testing, HIL testing, or test automation.
• QA & Test Automation: Strong understanding of hardware/software QA processes, test automation frameworks, and scripting languages (e.g., Python, LabVIEW, MATLAB/Simulink).
• Hardware & Lab Hands-On Experience: Direct experience setting up and connecting hardware components, test fixtures, measurement equipment, and diagnostic tools (oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, logic analyzers, DAQs).
• Embedded Systems & Firmware: Familiarity with Linux operating systems, embedded software debugging, firmware concepts (HDL), and embedded Linux devices.
• Security & Clearance: Ability to obtain a US Government security clearance (Active Security Clearance preferred).
• Soft Skills: Self-motivated with strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills; passionate about driving technical and procedural impact in a small team environment.

Qualifications

• Communication Protocols: Knowledge of protocols such as CAN, Ethernet, SPI, I2C, and UART.
• Standards & Compliance: Knowledge of MIL-STD, DO-160, and IPC standards.
• Quality & Manufacturing: Understanding of manufacturing/production processes and quality frameworks such as AS9100 or ISO 9001.

Pay

Base Salary: $90,000 - $120,000

Bonus program and equity in a fast-growing startup

Benefits

• Competitive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their families
• Health Savings Account with annual employer contributions
• Employer-paid Life and Disability Insurance
• Uncapped paid time off policy
• Flexible work & remote work policy
• Tax-deferred public transit benefits with Metro SmartBenefits (DC/MD/VA)