Test Engineer (Software)

Alexander Battery Technologies; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Alexander Battery Technologies is seeking a proactive Test Engineer (Software) to develop software and drivers for automated test equipment. You will design, implement, and validate test software, leveraging AI-assisted Claude while maintaining legacy LabVIEW components.

You will work within a mixed hardware-software team, wiring up test fixtures, interfacing with instruments, and ensuring robust data handling and documentation in line with quality procedures.

Qualifications

• Degree or HND in Electrical & Electronic Engineering or equivalent
• Experience with Python, C/C++ or C#, and GUI-based test software
• AI-assisted development experience (Claude) preferred
• Familiarity with instrument drivers and test equipment communication protocols
• LabVIEW experience present for legacy support (not primary)
• Strong data handling and SQL database familiarity
• Good documentation and testing practices

Responsibilities

• Design, write, test and maintain instrument and equipment drivers and low-level interfaces for automated test equipment
• Develop and validate test sequences, control software and data-handling/logging code
• Use AI-assisted development (Claude) as primary approach for new test software
• Maintain and support LabVIEW-based software at legacy ATE sites
• Follow software engineering best practices: version control, code review, documentation and testing
• Interface test software with instruments and interfaces (serial, USB, I2C/SPI, SCPI/VISA, digital I/O)
• Interface test software with SQL databases for data acquisition, storage and reporting
• Wire up, bring up and diagnose test fixtures alongside hardware Test Engineers
• Support verification and validation of test equipment against test plan
• Provide software support to production and wider test team
• Contribute software input into NPI and PFMEA processes
• Prepare software docs and test reports per quality procedures
• Support NPD with test scripts for scope validation and conformance testing

Skills

Python

C/C++

C#

GUI development

Claude

SQL databases

Software testing

Version control

Electrical knowledge

Troubleshooting

Education

Electrical & Electronic Engineering degree

Tools

LabVIEW

Claude (AI tool)

SCPI/VISA

Git / version control

Job description

We are looking for a proactive and detail-oriented Test Engineer (Software) to work Working within the Engineering team and reporting to the Firmware Team, Lead.

This is a software-focused test engineering role responsible for developing the software and instrument drivers that control the company’s automated test equipment (ATE). The primary function is to ensure the software side of every test system is correct, robust and maintainable – writing and validating equipment drivers, test sequences and data-handling code. New software is developed primarily using AI-assisted methods (Claude) to build code faster and more efficiently, while LabVIEW is used only to maintain and support legacy ATE sites.

The postholder also requires a working level of electrical and electronic knowledge to wire up, bring up and diagnose test fixtures, working alongside our hardware-focused Test Engineers – though hardware is a supporting skill rather than the primary function of this role.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

The below list is not exhaustive, but the main duties and responsibilities will be:

• Design, write, test and maintain instrument and equipment drivers and low-level interfaces for automated test equipment


• Develop and validate test sequences, control software and data-handling/logging code, ensuring the software side of each test system is correct and reliable


• Use AI-assisted development (Claude) as the primary approach for all new test software – building code faster, more efficiently and to a consistent standard


• Maintain and support LabVIEW-based software at legacy ATE sites, working within the existing VI library (legacy support only – not used for new development)


• Follow good software engineering practice – version control, code review, documentation and testing – for both AI-generated and hand-written code


• Integrate test software with instruments and interfaces (e.g. serial, USB, I/²C/SPI, SCPI/VISA, digital I/O) and troubleshoot communications issues


• Interface test software with SQL databases for test data acquisition, storage and reporting


• Wire up, bring up and diagnose test fixtures to a competent level, supporting commissioning and fault-finding alongside hardware-focused Test Engineers (supporting function)


• Support the verification and validation of test equipment and fixtures against the test plan


• Provide software support and troubleshooting to production and the wider test team


• Contribute software and testing input into the NPI and PFMEA processes for new products


• Prepare clear software documentation and test reports, and keep records in line with quality and company procedures


• Support NPD with test scripts for scope of work validation and conformance testing with hands on testing support when required.

Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours

The postholder will possess a range of the following knowledge, skills, and behaviours:

• Degree or HND in Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Software/Computer Engineering or equivalent experience


• Strong software development skills across modern languages such as Python, C, C++ or C#, with a focus on writing and maintaining instrument/equipment drivers


• Experience creating user friendly Graphical User Interfaces to drive the test equipment


• Demonstrable ability to develop software using AI-assisted tools such as Claude, to build test applications faster and more efficiently – the primary approach for all new development


• Experience writing device drivers and communicating with instruments and hardware over interfaces such as serial, USB, I/²C/SPI, SCPI/VISA or digital I/O


• LabVIEW experience is beneficial for supporting legacy ATE sites, but is not essential and is not used for new development and is being phased out.


• Experience using SQL databases for test data acquisition, storage and analysis


• A working level of electrical and electronic knowledge – able to read schematics, wire up and diagnose test fixtures (a supporting skill, secondary to the software role)


• Good fault-finding/troubleshooting skills across software, and to a competent level on test equipment and fixtures


• Understanding of electronics fundamentals and digital communications


• Structured, detail-oriented approach to software quality, version control and documentation


• Clear written and verbal communication skills, with good record-keeping


• Highly organised and self-motivated, able to work both autonomously and as part of a team

Core Soft Skills

The postholder will be required to demonstrate the following key core soft skills for their band: