Firmware Test Engineer

Actalent; United States; On-site; USD 100,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision coverage

Life insurance

401(k) retirement plan with company-mâ

Three weeks of PTO

Eleven paid holidays

Tuition reimbursement

Pet insurance

Supplemental medical coverage

Other health and wellness perks

Job summary

Actalent is seeking an Expert Level QA Engineer to design, execute, and document firmware test cases across embedded Linux environments. The role validates RF/WiFi/Bluetooth subsystems and networks, and involves automating tests with Python/Bash/Robot Framework within CI/CD pipelines.

Responsibilities include building test setups, improving the automation framework, and collaborating with firmware engineers while mentoring junior QA staff.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience testing embedded Linux systems in user and kernel space.
• Proven testing experience with wireless protocols — RF, WiFi, or Bluetooth.
• Strong knowledge of networking protocols: IPv4, IPv6, ICMP, DHCPv6, TCP/IP, UDP, Ethernet, and PPP.
• Familiarity with Layer-2 (switching) and Layer-3 (routing) protocol testing.
• Strong scripting skills in Python and/or Bash for test automation.
• Experience with Robot Framework for structured test automation.
• Experience integrating tests into CI/CD pipelines or nightly regression systems.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and deliver with minimal guidance.
• Strong communication skills and a collaborative, ownership-driven attitude.
• Proficiency in C or C++ for understanding and debugging firmware-level code.
• Exposure to network emulation or traffic analysis tools (e.g., Wireshark, iPerf, tcpdump).
• Experience with test management tools (e.g., TestRail, Jira, or equivalent).
• Experience with version control systems such as Git.

Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and document manual test cases for firmware features spanning embedded Linux user and kernel space.
• Validate wireless communication subsystems including RF, WiFi, and Bluetooth across device configurations.
• Test and verify networking protocol behavior including IPv4, IPv6, ICMP, DHCPv6, TCP/IP, UDP, PPP, and Ethernet.
• Evaluate Layer-2 switching and Layer-3 routing functionality to ensure correctness and stability.
• Automate manual firmware test cases using Python, Bash, or Robot Framework and integrate them into the nightly regression build and CI/CD pipeline.
• Build and configure hardware/software test setups from scratch, manually verify them, and then automate for continuous regression coverage.
• Maintain and improve the automation framework, ensuring scalability and reliability across all product lines.
• Identify, document, and track defects with clear reproduction steps and thorough root-cause analysis.
• Monitor nightly build results, triage failures, and report findings with actionable detail.
• Collaborate with firmware engineers to review requirements, provide early testing feedback, and mentor junior QA engineers.

Skills

Firmware

Test engineering

Wireless

Networking protocols

Linux

TCP/IP

IPv4

IPv6

Software validation

WiFi

Bluetooth

Python

RF testing

Radio frequency

C/C++

Git

Wireshark

iPerf

tcpdump

Tools

Robot Framework

CI/CD pipelines

TestRail

Jira

Git

Wireshark

iPerf

tcpdump

Job description

Description

• Design, execute, and document manual test cases for firmware features spanning embedded Linux user and kernel space.
• Validate wireless communication subsystems including RF, WiFi, and Bluetooth across device configurations.
• Test and verify networking protocol behavior including IPv4, IPv6, ICMP, DHCPv6, TCP/IP, UDP, PPP, and Ethernet.
• Evaluate Layer-2 switching and Layer-3 routing functionality to ensure correctness and stability.
• Automate manual firmware test cases using Python, Bash, or Robot Framework and integrate them into the nightly regression build and CI/CD pipeline.
• Build and configure hardware/software test setups from scratch, manually verify them, and then automate for continuous regression coverage.
• Maintain and improve the automation framework, ensuring scalability and reliability across all product lines.
• Identify, document, and track defects with clear reproduction steps and thorough root-cause analysis.
• Monitor nightly build results, triage failures, and report findings with actionable detail.
• Collaborate with firmware engineers to review requirements, provide early testing feedback, and mentor junior QA engineers.

Skills

Firmware, test engineering, wireless, networking protocols, linux, tcp ip, ipv4, ipv6, software validation, wifi, bluetooth, python, rf testing, radio frequency

Top Skills Details

Firmware,test engineering,wireless,networking protocols,linux,tcp ip,ipv4,ipv6,software validation

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Hands-on experience testing embedded Linux systems in both user space and kernel space.
• Proven testing experience with wireless protocols -- RF, WiFi, or Bluetooth.
• Strong knowledge of networking protocols: IPv4, IPv6, ICMP, DHCPv6, TCP/IP, UDP, Ethernet, and PPP.
• Familiarity with Layer-2 (switching) and Layer-3 (routing) protocol testing.
• Strong scripting skills in Python and/or Bash for test automation.
• Experience with Robot Framework for structured test automation.
• Experience integrating tests into CI/CD pipelines or nightly regression systems.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and deliver with minimal guidance.
• Strong communication skills and a collaborative, ownership-driven attitude.
• Proficiency in C or C++ for understanding and debugging firmware-level code.
• Exposure to network emulation or traffic analysis tools (e.g., Wireshark, iPerf, tcpdump).
• Experience with test management tools (e.g., TestRail, Jira, or equivalent).
• Experience with version control systems such as Git.

Experience Level

Expert Level

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Alpharetta, GA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $100000.00 - $145000.00/yr.

• medical, dental and vision coverage
• life insurance
• 401(k)-retirement plan featuring a generous company match incentive
• three (3) weeks of Paid Time Off (PTO)
• eleven (11) paid holidays
• tuition reimbursement program
• optional pet insurance
• supplemental medical coverage
• a host of other perks to ensure the health, wellness, and enrichment of our team members

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Alpharetta,GA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 25, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.