Validation Engineer

Russell Tobin; Cupertino (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Russell Tobin is seeking a Validation Engineer in Cupertino, California, to support performance testing for advanced consumer hardware systems. The role focuses on designing and executing tests while collaborating with engineering teams to resolve complex issues.

The ideal candidate will possess strong hardware debugging skills and laboratory experience. Responsibilities include creating test setups, executing validation tests, and analyzing test data.

This position is a 6-month contract with the potential for extension.

Qualifications

• Experience with hands-on hardware testing and validation.
• Strong knowledge of electrical measurements and noise mitigation techniques.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and maintain test setups using development boards.
• Execute performance and validation tests on hardware systems.
• Document test procedures and findings clearly.

Skills

Hands-on hardware testing

Strong knowledge of laboratory instrumentation

Analytical and problem-solving skills

Excellent communication skills

Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools

Tools

Multimeters

Function Generators

Power Supplies

Job description

Duration

6-Month Contract (Potential for Extension)

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly motivated Validation Engineer to support performance testing and validation activities for advanced consumer hardware systems. This role involves designing, setting up, and executing data collection and performance validation tests while working closely with cross‑functional engineering teams to identify, analyze, and resolve system‑level issues. The ideal candidate will combine strong hardware debugging skills, hands‑on laboratory experience, and a methodical approach to test execution and analysis.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, assemble, and maintain test setups using development boards and standard laboratory equipment.
• Execute performance, characterization, and validation tests on hardware systems and subsystems.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret test data to identify trends, anomalies, and potential issues.
• Characterize electrical system behavior in real‑world product applications.
• Investigate and troubleshoot hardware failures, performing root‑cause analysis in collaboration with engineering teams.
• Apply noise mitigation techniques, including grounding and shielding, to ensure accurate measurements.
• Document test procedures, results, findings, and recommendations in a clear and organized manner.
• Support continuous improvement of validation methodologies, test processes, and data collection techniques.

Required Qualifications

• Experience with hands‑on hardware testing, characterization, validation, or board‑level testing.
• Strong knowledge of laboratory instrumentation, including:
  • Multimeters
  • Function Generators
  • Power Supplies
• Understanding of electrical measurements, signal behavior, and noise mitigation techniques.
• Experience troubleshooting and debugging hardware and system‑level issues.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and organizational skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools, including Excel and Word.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with consumer electronics, display technologies, touchscreen systems, or embedded hardware platforms.
• Familiarity with scripting or automation tools such as Python.
• Experience working in fast‑paced product development or validation environments.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across engineering teams.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a hands‑on hardware validation professional with a strong laboratory background, excellent debugging skills, and a passion for solving complex technical challenges. They thrive in fast‑paced environments, are detail‑oriented, and have experience validating and characterizing electronic systems through rigorous testing and analysis.

Russell Tobin is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of the race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, reproductive health decision making, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Russell Tobin is a Fair Chance employer. We consider all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with applicable state and local Fair Chance laws and ordinances, including, the California Fair Chance Act and all applicable local Fair Chance ordinances.

Accommodations

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, or to perform the essential functions of this role, please contact us.

Only applicable for San Francisco Candidates

Under the San Francisco Lactation in the Workplace Ordinance, we will provide written notice of lactation accommodation rights, and this notice will automatically be given upon hiring, any inquiry of parental leave or lactation accommodation.