Principal Software Engineer, Manufacturing Test

PDW; Huntsville (TN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

BCBS medical coverage

401K with company match

Parental leave

On-site gym

Life insurance

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Generous PTO & flexible leave

Job summary

PDW in Huntsville, AL is seeking an experienced software engineering leader for manufacturing test systems. You will design, deploy, and sustain production software for test, diagnostics, telemetry, and hardware validation across multiple production stages.

The role requires expert Python and Linux skills, plus experience with CI/CD, hardware interfaces, and data storage for manufacturing analytics. Collaboration with cross-functional teams and mentoring of junior staff are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or related technical field.
• 10+ years of professional experience in software engineering, manufacturing automation, robotics, embedded systems, or production test environments, including technical leadership of complex systems.
• Strong proficiency in Python and at least one additional scripting or systems language such as Bash, PowerShell, or C/C++.
• Experience designing scalable automated manufacturing test systems, reusable hardware test frameworks, and hardware-in-the-loop validation infrastructure.
• Deep expertise in Linux-based systems administration, deployment automation, networking, security, system services, and package management in production engineering or manufacturing environments.
• Experience with software configuration management, source control, CI/CD practices, and release management workflows.
• Familiarity with hardware interfaces and communication protocols such as UART, CAN, Ethernet, USB, I2C, SPI, or serial communications.
• Strong understanding of robotics, drones, electromechanical systems, embedded hardware, or autonomous systems.
• Experience troubleshooting integrated hardware/software systems in fast-paced production environments.
• Proficiency with data serialization and transport technologies such as JSON, Protobuf, REST interfaces, or similar frameworks.
• Ability to interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and technical documentation.
• Excellent analytical, debugging, communication, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical initiatives and drive projects and teams with minimal oversight.
• Experience with PostgreSQL, SQLite, TimescaleDB, InfluxDB, or similar data storage systems used for manufacturing traceability and analytics.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, implementation, deployment, and sustainment of manufacturing test software systems across production stages.
• Architect scalable software frameworks for automated production test fixtures, diagnostics, telemetry, and validation workflows.
• Own software configuration management, deployment pipelines, version control, and release processes for manufacturing environments.
• Develop robust automation tools and scripts using Python, Bash, PowerShell, or similar technologies.
• Design and maintain Linux-based manufacturing systems including user management, networking, and system hardening.
• Collaborate with electrical, firmware, and mechanical teams to integrate software with embedded systems and test instrumentation.
• Drive root-cause analysis investigations related to manufacturing defects and test failures.
• Establish software validation methodologies ensuring production systems meet requirements and quality standards.
• Improve throughput, test coverage, traceability, and process repeatability through automation and data-driven decisions.
• Develop tools for data collection, serialization, logging, and transport across systems to track as-built configurations.
• Mentor junior engineers and manufacturing personnel on software best practices.
• Contribute to long-term manufacturing software strategy and tooling standardization.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to improve reliability and operational efficiency.
• Support deployment, troubleshooting, training, and sustainment activities across environments.
• Partner with product engineering to improve design-for-manufacturability.

Skills

Python

Bash

PowerShell

C/C++

Linux admin

CI/CD

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or related field

Tools

Qt Framework

PyQt/PySide

PostgreSQL

SQLite

TimescaleDB

InfluxDB

Job description

What You’ll Do

• Lead the design, implementation, deployment, and sustainment of manufacturing test software systems supporting assembly, integration, calibration, and final system validation in production.
• Architect scalable software frameworks for automated production test fixtures, diagnostics, telemetry collection, and hardware validation workflows.
• Own software configuration management, deployment pipelines, version control, and release processes for manufacturing and production environments.
• Develop robust automation tools and scripts using Python, Bash, PowerShell, or similar technologies to streamline production operations and reduce operator error.
• Design and maintain Linux-based manufacturing systems including user management, permissions, networking, package management, and system hardening.
• Partner with electrical, firmware, and mechanical engineering teams to integrate software with embedded systems, sensors, robotics hardware, and test instrumentation.
• Drive root-cause analysis investigations related to manufacturing defects, test failures, production escapes, and system reliability issues.
• Establish software validation methodologies to ensure production systems meet product requirements, configuration control, quality standards, and operational readiness criteria.
• Improve manufacturing throughput, test coverage, traceability, and process repeatability through automation and data-driven decision making.
• Develop tools and infrastructure for data collection, serialization, logging, and transport across manufacturing and test systems to track ‘as built’ FW/SW configuration.
• Mentor junior engineers and manufacturing personnel on software best practices, debugging methodologies, and test system operation.
• Contribute to long-term manufacturing software strategy, tooling standardization, and production scalability initiatives.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with production, quality, supply chain, field operations, and product engineering teams to improve system reliability and operational efficiency.
• Support deployment, troubleshooting, training, and sustainment activities across manufacturing and operational environments as needed, leveraging Admin/IT support.
• Partner with product engineering teams to improve design-for-manufacturability throughout the product lifecycle.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or related technical field.
• 10+ years of professional experience in software engineering, manufacturing automation, robotics, embedded systems, or production test environments, including technical leadership of complex systems.
• Strong proficiency in Python and at least one additional scripting or systems language such as Bash, PowerShell, or C/C++.
• Experience designing scalable automated manufacturing test systems, reusable hardware test frameworks, and hardware-in-the-loop validation infrastructure.
• Deep expertise in Linux-based systems administration, deployment automation, networking, security, system services, and package management in production engineering or manufacturing environments.
• Experience with software configuration management, source control, CI/CD practices, and release management workflows.
• Familiarity with hardware interfaces and communication protocols such as UART, CAN, Ethernet, USB, I2C, SPI, or serial communications.
• Strong understanding of robotics, drones, electromechanical systems, embedded hardware, or autonomous systems.
• Experience troubleshooting integrated hardware/software systems in fast-paced production environments.
• Proficiency with data serialization and transport technologies such as JSON, Protobuf, REST interfaces, or similar frameworks.
• Ability to interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and technical documentation.
• Excellent analytical, debugging, communication, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical initiatives and drive projects and teams with minimal oversight.
• Experience with PostgreSQL, SQLite, TimescaleDB, InfluxDB, or similar data storage systems used for manufacturing traceability and analytics.
• Experience building production telemetry, yield analysis, and traceability systems that support manufacturing decision making.

Preferred

• Experience developing production or engineering tools using Qt Framework or Python Qt bindings (PyQt/PySide).
• Experience with automated test equipment, instrumentation, hardware validation systems.
• Familiarity supporting manufacturing execution systems (MES), ERP integrations, or production traceability systems in HV production.
• Experience supporting products operating under quality management systems in robotics, automotive, or other regulated industries in medium to high-volume production.
• Familiarity with containerization, virtualization, or infrastructure automation technologies to optimize resources, application deployments and updates.
• Experience withPLCs andindustrial communication control systems protocols (i.e.: OPC UA, SCADA).
• Candidates with experience in sUAV, robotics development, and/or hobby drones.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Ability to sit, stand, bend, reach, climb, and move about regularly throughout the day and lift / carry up to 25 pounds. Must have manual dexteritytooperatestandard office equipment as well as standard machine shop equipment. Must be physically capable of the assigned duties.

Work Environment

This position typicallyoperatesin a standard office setting and manufacturing environment. This role requires use of standard office and manufacturing equipment and may require occasional travel to customer locations or facilities. This position may have exposure to outdoor weather conditions, noise, and non-climate-controlled environments. May require the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) depending on the environment. This is a fast-paced work environment and requirescross departmentalcollaboration with independent and team-based responsibilities. Standardworkshours for this position are 8:30am-5:00pm with occasional overtime as operational needs demand.

Benefits

PDW values our team, and we offer a compensation package reflective of your experience and capabilities. Benefits include:

• Comprehensive BCBS medical, dental, and vision coverage; 80% sponsored by the company.
• Safe Harbor 401(K) with company match.
• Paid Parental Leave.
• A work environment that encourages teamwork and innovation.
• On-site gym at our Huntsville, AL location.
• Employer provided life insurance.
• Robust Employee Assistant Program (EAP).
• Competitive salary, generous paid time off (PTO), and flexible leave options.

EEO Statement

PDW is an equal opportunity employer that upholds all federal and state non-discrimination laws. We ensure a fair and unbiased evaluation for employment for all qualified candidates regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, medical condition, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.