Firmware Development Tester - Austin Tx

International Business Machines Corporation; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 101,000 - 151,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Job summary

International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) Austin is seeking a Firmware Development Tester to validate system firmware, perform hardware testing, and ensure robust RAS features across IBM Power Systems. You will contribute to test strategy, automation, and cross-team validation with global partners.

The role emphasizes hands-on validation, agile testing, and collaboration with firmware architects to improve product quality and reliability for enterprise systems.

Qualifications

• Familiarity with software testing concepts and the Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC).
• Basic programming or scripting knowledge, preferably Python.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Experience with source-code management tools is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Hands-on hardware validation and firmware testing across Power Systems hardware.
• Design, implement, and execute test plans and cases for firmware features.
• Develop and maintain test automation to improve coverage and efficiency.
• Analyze failures and drive root cause investigations with design teams.
• Collaborate with OpenPOWER partners and the OpenBMC community.

Skills

Python basics

Software testing concepts

STLC understanding

Analytical thinking

Communication & teamwork

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Bachelor's Degree (preferred)

Tools

Git

Gerrit

Job description

## Firmware Development Tester - Austin TxAustin, Texas, United StatesEntry Level* Email* X* LinkedInApply nowIntroductionYou are a passionate and technically proficient Software or Hardware Development Engineer with a strong interest in system firmware testing, hardware validation, and system-level reliability. You will be responsible for testing and validating system firmware across the IBM Power Systems portfolio, ranging from entry-level servers to high-end enterprise systems with advanced Reliability, Availability, and Serviceability (RAS) capabilities. You will collaborate with global development teams, OpenPOWER partners, and the OpenBMC community to validate firmware functionality, drive product quality, and deliver an exceptional customer experience.Your role and responsibilitiesAs a member of IBM's Power Systems Firmware Functional Verification and Test team, you will contribute to the development, testing, validation, and support of industry-leading server technologies. Your responsibilities will include, but are not limited to: • Hands-on Hardware Validation: Install, configure, and test IBM Power Systems hardware, including processor and system-level validation and characterization. • Firmware Testing: Test and validate system firmware features across the IBM Power Systems portfolio, ensuring functionality, performance, stability, and quality. • RAS Validation: Validate advanced Reliability, Availability, and Serviceability (RAS) features to enhance system resilience and availability. • Test Strategy and Execution: Develop and execute comprehensive test plans, test cases, and procedures to ensure thorough firmware feature validation. • Test Automation: Design, develop, and automate test suites as part of the Agile development process to improve test efficiency, coverage, and productivity. • Failure Analysis and Debugging: Analyze test failures, troubleshoot complex hardware and firmware issues, drive root cause analysis, and collaborate with development teams to resolve defects. • Requirements and Design Collaboration: Work closely with firmware architects and development teams to understand requirements, review designs, and define effective validation strategies. • Open-Source Collaboration: Work with OpenPOWER partners and the OpenBMC community on firmware testing, validation, integration, and support. • AI and Emerging Technologies: Install, configure, and validate AI Large Language Models (LLMs) and explore opportunities to leverage AI in software testing and development workflows. • Cross-Team Collaboration: Partner with geographically distributed development, test, and support teams to drive quality across product lines. • Continuous Improvement and Innovation: Champion continuous improvement, introduce innovative testing approaches, and enhance development and verification processes to deliver a better customer experience. • Code and Knowledge Contribution: Contribute to internal and external code repositories and document test methodologies, technical findings, and best practices.Required educationHigh School Diploma/GEDPreferred educationBachelor's DegreeRequired technical and professional expertise• Basic understanding of client-server architecture and networking concepts. • Fundamental knowledge of application development, programming, and databases. • Understanding of software architecture, APIs, servers, and application design principles. • Familiarity with Agile software development methodologies. • Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills. • Good understanding of software testing concepts and the Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC). • Basic programming or scripting knowledge, preferably Python. • Curiosity, creativity, willingness to learn, and a customer-focused mindset.Preferred technical and professional experience• Basic understanding of computer systems architecture and operating system concepts. • Familiarity with Linux operating systems and command-line operations. • Exposure to Python or other scripting languages. • Basic understanding of functional testing, system testing, and test automation concepts. • Familiarity with automation frameworks or hands-on academic/project experience in test automation. • Basic knowledge of Git, Gerrit, or other source-code management tools. • Exposure to firmware, embedded systems, or hardware-software integration concepts. • Familiarity with open-source software development and collaboration tools. • Basic understanding of mechanical and electrical engineering concepts is beneficial, particularly when working with hardware products. • Academic projects, internships, coursework, or personal projects demonstrating relevant technical skills are desirable.### ABOUT BUSINESS UNITIBM Systems helps IT leaders think differently about their infrastructure. IBM servers and storage are no longer inanimate - they can understand, reason, and learn so our clients can innovate while avoiding IT issues. Our systems power the world’s most important industries and our clients are the architects of the future. Join us to help build our leading-edge technology portfolio designed for cognitive business and optimized for cloud computing.### YOUR LIFE @ IBMIn a world where technology never stands still, we understand that, dedication to our clients success, innovation that matters, and trust and personal responsibility in all our relationships, lives in what we do as IBMers as we strive to be the catalyst that makes the world work better.Being an IBMer means you’ll be able to learn and develop yourself and your career, you’ll be encouraged to be courageous and experiment everyday, all whilst having continuous trust and support in an environment where everyone can thrive whatever their personal or professional background.Our IBMers are growth minded, always staying curious, open to feedback and learning new information and skills to constantly transform themselves and our company. They are trusted to provide on-going feedback to help other IBMers grow, as well as collaborate with colleagues keeping in mind a team focused approach to include different perspectives to drive exceptional outcomes for our customers. The courage our IBMers have to make critical decisions everyday is essential to IBM becoming the catalyst for progress, always embracing challenges with resources they have to hand, a can-do attitude and always striving for an outcome focused approach within everything that they do.Are you ready to be an IBMer?### ABOUT IBMIBM’s greatest invention is the IBMer. We believe that through the application of intelligence, reason and science, we can improve business, society and the human condition, bringing the power of an open hybrid cloud and AI strategy to life for our clients and partners around the world.Restlessly reinventing since 1911, we are not only one of the largest corporate organizations in the world, we’re also one of the biggest technology and consulting employers, with many of the Fortune 500 companies relying on the IBM Cloud to run their business.At IBM, we pride ourselves on being an early adopter of artificial intelligence, quantum computing and blockchain. Now it’s time for you to join us on our journey to being a responsible technology innovator and a force for good in the world.IBM is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, pregnancy, disability, neurodivergence, age, or other characteristics protected by the applicable law. IBM is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.### OTHER RELEVANT JOB DETAILSIBM offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program. Eligible employees may have access to:- Healthcare benefits including medical & prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, and mental health & well being- Financial programs such as 401(k), cash balance pension plan, the IBM Employee Stock Purchase Plan, financial counseling, life insurance, short & long- term disability coverage, and opportunities for performance based salary incentive programs- Generous paid time off including 12 holidays, minimum 56 hours sick time, 120 hours vacation, 12 weeks parental bonding leave in accordance with IBM Policy, and other Paid Care Leave programs. IBM also offers paid family leave benefits to eligible employees where required by applicable law- Training and educational resources on our personalized, AI-driven learning platform where IBMers can grow skills and obtain industry-recognized certifications to achieve their career goals- Diverse and inclusive employee resource groups, giving & volunteer opportunities, and discounts on retail products, services & experiencesWe consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable law.This position was posted on the date cited in the key job details section and is anticipated to remain posted for 21 days from this date or less if not needed to fill the role.IBM will not be providing visa sponsorship for this position now or in the future. Therefore, in order to be considered for this position, you must have the ability to work without a need for current or future visa sponsorship.The compensation range and benefits for this position are based on a full-time schedule for a full calendar year. The salary will vary depending on your job-related skills, experience and location. Pay increment and frequency of pay will be in accordance with employment classification and applicable laws. For part time roles, your compensation and benefits will be adjusted to reflect your hours. Benefits may be pro-rated for those who start working during the calendar year.Job TitlePower Systems Development - Firmware, Hypervisor, Operating Systems, AI EnablementDate posted10-Nov-2026Job ID142026City / Township / VillageAustinState / ProvinceTexasCountryUnited StatesWork arrangementHybridArea of workInfrastructure & TechnologyEmployment typeRegularContract typeRegularProjected Minimum Salary per year100,800.00Projected Maximum Salary per year151,200.00Position typeEntry LevelTravel requiredNo TravelCompany(0147) International Business Machines CorporationShiftGeneral (daytime)Is this role a commissionable/sales incentive based position?No