Staff Hardware Validation Engineer

EngineersOfAI; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

EngineersOfAI in Austin, TX seeks a Board-Level Hardware Validation Engineer to define validation strategies, develop test plans, and execute hands-on testing across product lifecycles.

The role requires 7+ years of board-level validation, experience with PCIe/USB/Ethernet and high-speed interfaces, and hands-on lab skills. Collaboration with ODM partners and cross-functional teams is essential to ensure quality before mass production.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in Electrical or Computer Engineering.
• 7+ years in board-level hardware validation.
• Experience with PCIe, USB, Ethernet, DDR, MIPI, SPI, I2C, or UART.
• Hands-on lab instrumentation experience.
• Experience with ODMs or contract manufacturers.
• Strong hardware debugging and root-cause analysis.
• Experience with test automation using Python, LabVIEW, MATLAB.

Responsibilities

• Define comprehensive board-level and inter-board validation plans based on product requirements and customer use cases.
• Develop validation methodologies covering functional, electrical, thermal, power, signal integrity, reliability, and stress testing.
• Establish test coverage, acceptance criteria, and qualification requirements.
• Review hardware architecture and schematics to identify validation risks and test requirements early in the design cycle.
• Personally develop, automate, and execute validation tests on prototype and production hardware.
• Perform board bring-up, functional verification, electrical characterization, and system-level validation.
• Use oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, spectrum analyzers, power analyzers, environmental chambers, and other lab equipment to collect and analyze data.
• Create custom test fixtures, scripts, and tools to improve test efficiency and coverage.
• Work directly with ODM partners to align validation plans, test procedures, and qualification activities.
• Review ODM validation reports and ensure consistency with internal quality standards.
• Drive issue resolution across ODM, design engineering, manufacturing, and quality teams.
• Investigate hardware failures and validation escapes through root-cause analysis.
• Drive corrective actions with hardware design, firmware, manufacturing, and supplier teams.
• Validate fixes and verify closure of identified issues.
• Maintain detailed failure analysis documentation and lessons learned.
• Author test plans, validation procedures, test reports, and qualification summaries.
• Track validation status, risks, defects, and corrective actions.
• Present validation results, recommendations, and readiness assessments to engineering leadership and stakeholders.
• Ensure traceability between requirements, test coverage, and validation outcomes.

Skills

Hardware debugging

Root-cause analysis

Test automation

Strong documentation

Cross-functional collaboration

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Logic Analyzers

Spectrum Analyzers

Power Analyzers

Environmental Chambers

Python

LabVIEW

MATLAB

Job description

1743

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Board-Level Hardware Validation Engineer to define and execute the validation and verification of complex electronic systems throughout the product lifecycle. This role is responsible for defining validation strategies, developing test plans, executing hands‑on testing, analyzing failures, and working directly with ODM partners to ensure products meet performance, reliability, quality, and compliance requirements before mass production.

The ideal candidate combines strong electrical engineering fundamentals with practical lab expertise and is comfortable personally performing validation activities while coordinating with cross‑functional teams and manufacturing partners.

This position is in Austin, Texas.

Key Responsibilities

Validation Strategy & Planning

• Define comprehensive board‑level and inter‑board level validation plans based on product requirements, design specifications, and customer use cases.
• Develop validation methodologies covering functional, electrical, thermal, power, signal integrity, reliability, and stress testing.
• Establish test coverage, acceptance criteria, and qualification requirements.
• Review hardware architecture and schematics to identify validation risks and test requirements early in the design cycle.

Hands‑On Validation Execution

• Personally develop, automate, and execute validation tests on prototype and production‑intent hardware.
• Perform board bring‑up, functional verification, electrical characterization, and system‑level validation.
• Use oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, spectrum analyzers, power analyzers, environmental chambers, and other laboratory equipment to collect and analyze data.
• Create custom test fixtures, scripts, and tools to improve test efficiency and coverage.

ODM & Manufacturing Collaboration

• Work directly with ODM partners to align validation plans, test procedures, and qualification activities.
• Review ODM validation reports and ensure consistency with internal quality standards.
• Drive issue resolution across ODM, design engineering, manufacturing, and quality teams.

Debug & Root Cause Analysis

• Investigate hardware failures and validation escapes through systematic root‑cause analysis.
• Drive corrective actions with hardware design, firmware, manufacturing, and supplier teams.
• Validate fixes and verify closure of identified issues.
• Maintain detailed failure analysis documentation and lessons learned.

Documentation & Reporting

• Author test plans, validation procedures, test reports, and qualification summaries.
• Track validation status, risks, defects, and corrective actions.
• Present validation results, recommendations, and readiness assessments to engineering leadership and stakeholders.
• Ensure traceability between requirements, test coverage, and validation outcomes.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.
• 7+ years (or appropriate level) of board‑level hardware validation experience.
• Strong understanding of digital and mixed‑signal electronic systems.
• Experience validating high‑speed interfaces such as PCIe, USB, Ethernet, DDR, MIPI, SPI, I2C, UART, or similar technologies.
• Hands‑on experience with laboratory instrumentation and measurement techniques.
• Experience working with ODMs, contract manufacturers, or external engineering partners.
• Strong hardware debugging and root‑cause analysis skills.
• Experience developing test automation using Python, LabVIEW, MATLAB, or similar tools.
• Excellent technical documentation and communication skills.
• International and domestic travel as needed.

Preferred Qualifications