Test Engineer (Power Electronics)

Acara Solutions, Inc.; Franksville (WI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Acara Solutions in Wisconsin is seeking a Test Engineering Generalist to design, develop, and own the test capability behind our power electronics validation lab and factory operations. You will write Python automation, design fixtures, and define test requirements and procedures to ensure repeatable, well-documented testing.

This hands-on role blends software and hardware skills, requiring you to build test software, hardware, and coverage analysis, while staying practical on the lab floor to

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical/Computer Engineering or related field.
• Min 2 years hands-on Python in test automation or data scripting.
• Min 5 years HW test engineering or embedded software with test focus.
• Ability to read schematics and build/test fixtures safely up to 690 Vac/1500 Vdc.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain test software for data acquisition and instrument control.
• Build and maintain test fixtures and hardware for power electronics validation.
• Develop test requirements, procedures, and coverage analyses.
• Lay out, build, test, and troubleshoot electronic developmental components.

Skills

Python

Test automation

Data acquisition

Electrical testing

Schematic reading

Education

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Altium Designer

AutoCAD Electrical

SolidWorks

PyVISA

LabVIEW

MATLAB

Job description

Employment Type: Salaried direct employee with comprehensive benefits

Compensation: Open

About the Opportunity:

The Test Engineering Generalist will design, develop, and own the test capability behind our power electronics validation lab and factory operations - the test software, test hardware and fixtures, test requirements and procedures, and test coverage that other engineers and technicians rely on. This is an engineering role, not a technician role: the Test Engineering Generalist designs and codes automated test software (primarily in Python), designs and specifies test fixtures and hardware, writes the test requirements and procedures that define what "tested" means for a product, and performs test coverage analysis to identify and close gaps. The role also performs hands-on system-level testing - laying out, building, and bringing up electronic developmental components and systems, and validating modules and drives - to stay grounded in what the lab actually needs.

An ideal candidate is an engineer who is as comfortable writing Python as reading a schematic - someone who wants to build the tools and fixtures that make the rest of the lab's testing and production end-of-line automated testers faster, more repeatable, and better documented, while staying hands-on enough to bring up a system on the floor when it counts.

What You'll Do:

Test Software Development

• Design, develop, and maintain test automation software, primarily in Python, for data acquisition, instrument control, and automated test sequencing.
• Build and maintain scripts and applications that drive test equipment (power supplies, DAQ systems, oscilloscopes, electronic loads) and that capture, process, and report test data.
• Apply sound software development practices (version control, code review, documentation) so test software is maintainable and reusable across programs.

Test Hardware & Fixture Development

• Design and develop test fixtures, harnessing, and hardware for validating power electronic products, motor drives, and control systems.
• Produce and maintain electrical schematics and fixture layouts; participate in design reviews for new test fixture development and material specification.
• Ensure test fixtures and hardware meet electrical safety requirements to prevent shock.

Test Requirements, Procedures & Coverage

• Develop test requirements and procedures that translate product and engineering requirements into executable, repeatable test methods.
• Perform test coverage analysis to identify gaps between product requirements and existing test capability, and recommend or build the tests needed to close them.
• Contribute to the creation of electrical and mechanical test documentation for industrial motor control and power conversion test systems.

System & Product Testing

• Lay out, build, test, troubleshoot, and modify electronic developmental components and systems according to engineering instructions and standards.
• Document and analyze test data; evaluate the performance and reliability of prototype and production units; recommend changes in circuitry or installation specifications to simplify assembly and maintenance.
• Test and validate enclosed systems and loose-part orders, including point-to-point verification of wiring and system layout against schematics, three-phase power hookup, low-voltage circuit checks, bus voltage bring-up, and hookup to customer or test motors to verify drive performance.
• Test and validate modules and drives using engineering drawings and electrical schematics, and document results.
• Support production and service test stands, and help maintain and update existing test stands.

About Acara Solutions

Acara is a premier recruiting and workforce solutions provider-we help companies compete for talent. With a legacy of experience in various industries worldwide, we partner with clients, listen to their needs, and customize visionary talent solutions that drive desired business outcomes. We leverage decades of experience to deliver contingent staffing, direct placement, executive search, and workforce services worldwide.

Job Requirements

What You'll Bring:

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, or a related technical field.
• Min 2 years of experience with hands-on Pythonsoftware development (test automation, instrument control, or data acquisition scripting) - be prepared to discuss or show examples of your work.
• Min 5 years of experience in HW test engineering, DVP&R, product validation, or embedded/test software development, including the following:
  • Ability to design test fixtures and hardware from schematic capture through build and safety checkout.
  • Ability to write test requirements and procedures, and to perform test coverage analysis against product requirements.
  • Ability to read electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and component specification sheets.
  • Experience working safely around energized electrical systems up to 690 Vac and 1500 Vdc.

What Sets You Apart:

• Experience with Altium Designer or similar schematic capture / PCB design tools.
• Experience with AutoCAD Electrical.
• Experience with SolidWorks 3D (mechanical).
• Familiarity with PLCs, embedded controllers, and data acquisition systems.
• Familiarity with instrument control frameworks (e.g., PyVISA), LabVIEW, or MATLAB.
• Knowledge of UL and CE standards as they relate to industrial control panels.

Aleron companies (Acara Solutions, Aleron Shared Resources, Broadleaf Results, Lume Strategies, TalentRise, Viaduct) are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Race/Color/Gender/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Veteran.

Applicants for this position must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position does not meet the employment requirements for individuals with F-1 OPT STEM work authorization status.