Lead Test Automation Engineer - Hardware

Sofar Ocean; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking company dedicated to marine conservation as a Lead Test Automation Engineer. In this pivotal role, you'll design and implement testing systems that ensure the highest quality of marine weather sensors. Collaborate closely with engineers and production teams, mentor junior staff, and contribute to innovative solutions that enhance climate and weather science. This dynamic startup environment offers the chance to make a significant impact on ocean health while developing your technical and leadership skills. If you're passionate about technology and the ocean, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• 6+ years in software engineering and hardware validation testing.
• Proficient in Python for embedded systems and automation challenges.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement testing systems for hardware.
• Collaborate with teams to ensure optimal testing processes.

Skills

Python

Embedded Systems

Hardware Validation Testing

Manufacturing Automation

Leadership

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Master's Degree in Engineering

Tools

OHTF

Job description

Lead Test Automation Engineer - Hardware

The Company

Sofar is on a mission to connect the world’s oceans. We design, build, and deploy the largest privately owned network of marine weather sensors to power the world’s best marine weather forecasts. Our data helps our customers to increase efficiency and reduce emissions, delivering tools to governments and other stakeholders to understand impacts of climate change on extreme weather and ocean health. We live on Planet Ocean, and our goal is to create the ocean intelligence needed to ensure a sustainable future.

The Role

As the Lead Test Automation Engineer on our hardware team, you will spearhead the design and implementation of our testing systems, ranging from sensor calibration fixtures to embedded system test scripts. You’ll work closely with design engineers to develop functional test requirements, collaborate with on-site manufacturing and production teams to ensure testing tools and fixtures are in optimal condition and used effectively, and mentor junior engineers across testing and production. You will maintain comprehensive and detailed documentation of all test and automation requirements, processes and instructions. You will report directly to Sofar's Embedded Software Engineering Lead.

You excel in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment, and you’re energized by the opportunity to build tools that will play a pivotal role in deploying Sofar systems in oceans worldwide. These systems gather vital data to drive conservation efforts, enhance climate and weather science, improve coastal safety, and support sustainable practices in the marine industry. You’re excited about the opportunity to join a growing startup, expand your technical and leadership expertise, make a significant, positive impact on our planet, and learn from a dynamic team of engineers, scientists, and ocean enthusiasts.

Impact You’ll Own:

• Drive improvements in production capacity and reduce TAKT time to meet ambitious production scaling targets, while maintaining highly accurate systems with rigorous test coverage that ensure only fully validated high quality products are shipped to our customers and oceans.
• Support the launch of new products by collaborating with engineering and manufacturing team members to capture, and training technicians on new processes.
• Exceptionally supportive, with a strong focus on 'keeping the line running.' Handles interruptions with a positive attitude and provides clear, respectful training to technicians. A true team player, offering respectful guidance and training to technicians while actively collecting and sharing data.

About You

• 6+ years of relevant experience in software engineering, embedded firmware architecture and development, hardware validation testing, and manufacturing automation tooling.
• Proficient in modern Python, with a strong track record of applying it to embedded systems and automation challenges.
• Expertise in synthesizing complex requirements from cross-functional teams (manufacturing, engineering) into a clear, actionable strategy and cohesive system design.
• Proven leadership guiding the efforts of 1-2 team members, setting and tracking milestones, meeting deadlines, and delivering clear, effective updates to non-technical stakeholders.
• Meticulous execution, ensuring every detail is thoroughly addressed and all tasks are completed with precision, consistently maintaining high standards in all aspects of work.

Bonus Points

• A passion for or connection to the ocean.
• Experience with OHTF or other test-automation frameworks.

Estimated Salary Range

• $140,000 - $170,000
• The range listed is what we reasonably expect to pay for this role at the time of this posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and may be modified in the future. Actual compensation packages are based on several factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, experience, and equity package.

Sofar's Commitment to Climate Justice

We at Sofar Ocean acknowledge that careers in the marine sciences have traditionally been, and remain, non-diverse work environments, thereby limiting the entry and prosperity of underrepresented groups in the space. Many of these same groups are disproportionately affected by climate change, and are often excluded from decision making that directly address their interests and needs.

We are committed to addressing these climate injustices and highly encourage people who identify as women, LGBTQ+, Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) to apply.

Employee Conduct

It is the responsibility of every employee to contribute to a positive work environment through cooperative and professional interactions with co-workers, customers, and vendors.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other factors prohibited by law.

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