Associate Test Engineer

VIAVI Solutions Inc.; Wichita (KS); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

VIAVI Solutions in Wichita, KS is seeking an Associate Test Engineer to join our AvComm Test Engineering team. This early-career role offers hands-on work building automated test systems for wireless communication equipment and a path to Senior Test Engineer.

You will start by improving the preventive maintenance program, learn test stands, troubleshoot issues, and contribute to test automation under mentorship. Strong fundamentals and curiosity will be rewarded with growing responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical/Computer Engineering or related field. Recent graduates welcome.
• 0–2 years in automated test systems; strong troubleshooting.
• Foundational RF and microwave concepts; willingness to deepen.
• Experience in C or Python; learn ANSIC and TestStand.

Responsibilities

• Enhance PM plans across test stands and maintain accurate records.
• Troubleshoot hardware, fixturing, and software issues with Test Engineers.
• Evaluate legacy test processes for stability, coverage, and cycle time.
• Develop test sequences and code under mentorship; migrate to TestStand.

Skills

C programming

Python programming

ANSIC

TestStand

LabVIEW

RF concepts

Troubleshooting

Test automation

Documentation

Education

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science or related field

Tools

TestStand

LabVIEW

SQL

CMMS

Job description

Summary: VIAVI (NASDAQ: VIAV) is a global provider of network test, monitoring and assurance solutions for telecommunications, cloud, enterprises, first responders, military, aerospace, and railway. VIAVI is also a leader in light management technologies for 3D sensing, anti-counterfeiting, consumer electronics, industrial, automotive, government and aerospace applications. We are the people behind the products that help keep the world connected at home, school, work, at play, and everywhere in between. VIAVI employees are passionate about supporting customer success and we welcome people who bring their best every day to the company – to question, to collaborate and to push for solutions that will delight our customers.

Associate Test Engineer VIAVI Solutions — AvComm Business Unit | Wichita, KS

Summary The AvComm Business Unit of VIAVI Solutions has an opening for an Associate Test Engineer to join our Test Engineering team and build a real career developing automated test systems for wireless communication test equipment. This is an early-career role for someone with strong technical fundamentals who wants a genuine path into test engineering — supporting new product introduction, sustaining test process improvement, and automated test development alongside experienced Test Engineers. The Associate Test Engineer's initial focus will be enhancing the factory's preventive maintenance program, which builds hands‑on familiarity with the test stand fleet, its failure modes, and the operators who run it every day. That foundation feeds directly into troubleshooting, process improvement, and test automation work as the role grows, with a defined path to Senior Test Engineer.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Preventive Maintenance Program Enhancement (Initial Assignment)

Evaluate and enhance existing PM plans across assigned test stands, closing gaps in stand‑specific maintenance intervals, triggers, and documentation. Execute scheduled PM actions — inspecting, cleaning, and replacing wear items such as connectors, cables, and fixturing — and verify stand performance before returning equipment to production. Build and maintain accurate PM records, using maintenance history to proactively flag stands trending toward failure or increased support burden. Train operators on stand care and early warning signs, building reference materials and floor‑level rapport that reinforce equipment ownership.

Test Stand Troubleshooting Support

Production and service test stands as a first‑line responder, working with Test Technicians and Test Engineering to diagnose hardware, fixturing, and software issues. Distinguish between operator error, hardware failure, fixturing issues, and software anomalies, escalating code‑level issues to Test Engineering. Track recurring issues across stands and surface systemic problems to Test Engineering for permanent resolution.

Test Process Improvement

Assist in evaluating legacy test processes for stability, coverage, and cycle time under the guidance of senior engineers. Support instrument obsolescence assessments by helping identify aging instruments and researching qualified replacements. Participate in Measurement Uncertainty Analysis and Gauge R&R studies, building proficiency with these tools over time.

Test Automation Development

Learn and begin developing test sequences and code under mentorship, using National Instruments TestStand and ANSIC. Support test executive modernization efforts by assisting with migration of legacy test code to TestStand. Contribute to the development and debug of new automated test systems in support of NPI projects.

Collaboration and Professional Growth

Communicate status, findings, and blockers clearly to Test Engineering leadership and cross‑functional partners. Actively seek feedback and mentorship, building toward independent ownership of test systems and projects. Demonstrate increasing initiative and ownership as skills and experience develop.

Pre‑Requisites / Skills / Experience Requirements

Required Qualifications Education Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field. Recent graduates are encouraged to apply.

Experience and Technical Skills 0–2 years of relevant experience; internship, co‑op, senior design, or academic project experience with automated test systems is a plus. Strong troubleshooting instincts and a methodical, hands‑on approach to problem‑solving. Foundational understanding of RF and electronic concepts, with a willingness to build depth in RF/microwave communication test methodologies. Exposure to programming in C, Python, or similar languages; willingness to develop proficiency in ANSIC and National Instruments TestStand. Basic familiarity with test and measurement equipment (Network Analyzers, Signal/Spectrum Analyzers, Signal Generators, Oscilloscopes, DMMs) through coursework or lab experience. Highly organized, with the ability to manage PM schedules, documentation, and support requests across a fleet of equipment. Comfortable creating and maintaining technical documentation such as maintenance logs, procedures, and checklists. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; comfortable delivering training and working directly with production operators. Self‑motivated, with genuine curiosity about how test systems work and a drive to grow technical depth quickly.

Preferred Qualifications Coursework or project experience with National Instruments TestStand, LabVIEW, or similar test automation platforms. Exposure to statistical process control, Measurement Uncertainty Analysis, or Gauge R&R concepts. Familiarity with SQL or database concepts for data storage and retrieval. Experience using AI tools to support code development, debugging, or data analysis. Six Sigma, Lean, or similar continuous improvement coursework or certification. Familiarity with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) or equivalent maintenance tracking tools. Familiarity with calibration concepts and traceability to national standards.

Growth Path

This role is built around a clear path to Senior Test Engineer. The Associate Test Engineer's initial focus will be enhancing the factory's preventive maintenance program — hands‑on work that builds deep, direct familiarity with the test stand fleet, its failure modes, and its operators faster than any other assignment could. That foundation feeds straight into the growth phase of the role: troubleshooting, sustaining test process improvement, and test automation development under the mentorship of senior Test Engineers. Performance and skill milestones are reviewed regularly, with a defined path to promotion into Senior Test Engineer as proficiency is demonstrated across DFT strategy, automated test development, and production deployment.

How Success Is Measured

• PM program improvements are stand‑specific, well documented, and adopted by Test Engineering.
• Growing proficiency in test stand troubleshooting, TestStand development, and RF test methodology.
• Active, positive contribution to sustaining and NPI project teams as responsibilities expand beyond PM.
• Clear, accurate technical documentation produced across both PM and engineering assignments.
• Steady progress against individual development milestones toward Senior Test Engineer readiness.

VIAVI Solutions is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer — minorities/females/veterans/persons with disabilities.

ITAR: This position requires use of information which is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All applicants must be U.S. Persons within the meaning of ITAR. ITAR defines a U.S. Person as a U.S. Citizen or National, U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (i.e. ‘Green Card Holder’), Political Asylee, Refugee, or Temporary Resident granted amnesty.

VIAVI empowers Service Providers and IT organizations to manage the network lifecycle for complex 5G and Fiber networks with intuitive instruments, systems and technologies; and our expertise in light management and optical coatings help protect the world's bank notes from counterfeiters, enhance the colors you see, and enable advanced technology such as 3D sensing. We are a team of thought leaders who have the freedom to support and innovate and look for new effective and efficient solutions for our customers.