Embedded Test Automation Engineer

Pic-Time Ltd.; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

Pic-Time Ltd. seeks a hardware validation automation engineer to translate manual lab tests into a Python-driven automated framework.

You will develop tools and embedded interfaces to validate aerospace communication equipment, interfacing with PetaLinux, the Linux kernel, microcontrollers, and FPGAs for system-level testing. You will automate test setups, validate high-speed JESD links, perform lab bring-up, and support TVAC/EMC environmental tests while ensuring traceability using Jira and

Qualifications

• Proficient in Python.
• Strong experience with Linux environments, specifically PetaLinux and Linux kernel interactions.
• Experience programming and interfacing with microcontrollers.
• Familiarity with FPGAs and high-speed data interfaces (JESD links).
• Proven experience automating hardware test setups and controlling lab instruments.
• Experience with RF engineering concepts and RF subsystem testing.
• Familiarity with rigorous hardware testing environments (TVAC, EMC).
• Experience using test management and requirement tracking tools (Jira, Xray).
• Highly focused on transitioning manual lab processes into formal automated frameworks.
• Autonomous and hands-on approach to lab setups, hardware bring-up, and troubleshooting.

Responsibilities

• Test Automation: Directly translate manual hardware and system test procedures into robust, automated Python scripts.
• Tool Development: Develop and maintain internal testing tools, scripts, and test environments using Linux, Python.
• Embedded Interfacing: Interface with custom Linux distributions (PetaLinux), the Linux kernel, microcontrollers, and FPGAs to facilitate system-level testing and data extraction.
• Data Link Validation: Test and validate high-speed serial links (e.g., JESD204) for data converters.
• Lab Operations: Perform hardware bring-up, lab test setups, and troubleshooting during integration.
• Environmental Testing: Support rigorous environmental compliance testing, including Thermal Vacuum (TVAC) and EMC.
• Traceability: Map automated test cases to system requirements to ensure full traceability using Jira and Xray.

Skills

Python

Linux environments

Microcontrollers

FPGAs

JESD data interfaces

Test automation

RF concepts

Lab instrumentation

Jira

Xray

Tools

PetaLinux

Linux kernel

Job description

We are hiring to drive the automation of our hardware validation processes. Working exclusively within the Product Validation team, the primary responsibility of this role is to translate existing manual lab tests into a formal, Python-driven automated testing framework. The successful candidate will develop the necessary tools, scripts, and embedded interfaces to validate complex aerospace communication equipment.

Key Responsibilities

• Test Automation: Directly translate manual hardware and system test procedures into robust, automated Python scripts.
• Tool Development: Develop and maintain internal testing tools, scripts, and test environments using Linux, Python.
• Embedded Interfacing: Interface with custom Linux distributions (PetaLinux), the Linux kernel, microcontrollers, and FPGAs to facilitate system-level testing and data extraction.
• Data Link Validation: Test and validate high-speed serial links (e.g., JESD204) for data converters.
• Lab Operations: Perform hardware bring-up, lab test setups, and troubleshooting during integration.
• Environmental Testing: Support rigorous environmental compliance testing, including Thermal Vacuum (TVAC) and EMC.
• Traceability: Map automated test cases to system requirements to ensure full traceability using Jira and Xray.

Required Skills & Experience

Software & Embedded Systems

• Proficient in Python.
• Strong experience with Linux environments, specifically PetaLinux and Linux kernel interactions.
• Experience programming and interfacing with microcontrollers.
• Familiarity with FPGAs and high-speed data interfaces (JESD links).

Hardware & Validation

• Proven experience automating hardware test setups and controlling lab instruments.
• Experience with RF engineering concepts and RF subsystem testing.
• Familiarity with rigorous hardware testing environments (TVAC, EMC).
• Experience using test management and requirement tracking tools (Jira, Xray).

Work Style

• Highly focused on transitioning manual lab processes into formal automated frameworks.
• Autonomous and hands-on approach to lab setups, hardware bring-up, and troubleshooting.