Senior Hardware Engineer (Production Test) - #1166242

Job Purpose

The Senior Production Test Engineer is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining manufacturing test solutions for PCBA, sub-assembly, and finished IoT products. The role ensures products meet electrical, functional, and quality requirements before shipment while improving production efficiency, yield, and test coverage. The engineer works closely with Product Development, Manufacturing, Quality, and suppliers to support NPI, mass production, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop production test strategies, test plans, fixtures, jigs, and automated test systems for New Product Introduction (NPI).

• Work closely with hardware, firmware, and software engineers to define production test requirements, test coverage, and acceptance criteria.

• Participate in hardware design reviews to ensure Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Testability (DFT) requirements are incorporated into new product designs.

• Collaborate with the software team to develop automated test scripts and hardware interfaces for testing PCBAs, sub-assemblies, and finished products.

• Evaluate and select appropriate test tools, instruments, and platforms for production use.

• Develop and maintain production test platforms, fixtures, jigs, and utilities for manufacturing.

• Perform failure analysis on returned products (RMA), generate technical investigation reports, identify design, component, manufacturing, or process-related issues, and recommend corrective actions to improve product reliability and production yield.

• Prepare production test procedures, work instructions, and documentation to ensure manufacturing personnel perform testing consistently and correctly.

• Support prototype builds, engineering validation, pilot production, and mass production ramp-up.

• Maintain production test records, analyze yield data, and prepare reports to support quality improvement.

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to improve production yield, test coverage, test efficiency, and manufacturing quality.

• Maintain manufacturing programming data, including firmware versions, product serial numbers, production lot numbers, date codes, MAC addresses, security certificates, and other device-specific information required for production.

• Provide technical support and training to contract manufacturers and production teams on production test systems, manufacturing programming, and troubleshooting.

Additional responsibilities

• Support Engineering Validation Testing (EVT), Design Validation Testing (DVT), and Production Validation Testing (PVT) as required.

• Support prototype build and system integration tests.

Knowledge and skill requirements

• Bachelor's or master’s degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering or related field.

• 5+ years of relevant experience in hardware production test engineering or hardware development.

• Strong understanding of analog and digital circuits, RF fundamentals, PCB schematics, and signal integrity.

• Hands-on experience with automated test systems, and data acquisition tools.

• Familiarity with production processes, SMT/PCBA processes, and product lifecycle management systems.

• Familiarity with production programming tools for MCU and wireless modules.

• Experience with communication interfaces including UART, USB, I²C, SPI, RS-485, Ethernet, or Wi-Fi/Zigbee.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent communication skills and ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional teams.

• Knowledge of manufacturing quality systems (e.g., ISO 9001), SPC, FPY, DPPM, and statistical data analysis is a plus.

• Knowledge of Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Testability (DFT) principles.

• Experience with In-Circuit Testing (ICT) and Functional Circuit Testing (FCT) methodologies is an advantage.

• Programming experience using Python, C/C++, LabVIEW, or C# for automated testing is an advantage.

• Knowledge in mechanical enclosure tooling development process is a plus.

Working conditions:

• Office and laboratory environment with occasional travel to contract manufacturers or suppliers.