Hardware Test Engineer

Hardware Test Engineer
Location: Bradenton, FL
Base Salary Rate: $86,216.00 - $101,430.00
Job type: Full-time

About This Role

As part of the Bradenton Hardware Test and Certification Lab, the Hardware Test Engineer is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing hardware validation, qualification, reliability, and regulatory compliance testing activities supporting new product development and sustaining engineering efforts.

This position works closely with design engineering, project management, quality, manufacturing, and certification agencies to verify product performance and compliance requirements. The Hardware Test Engineer develops test strategies, executes complex testing activities, analyzes results, drives issue resolution, and supports continuous improvement of laboratory capabilities and processes. The role also provides technical guidance to test technicians and associate engineers.

Key Responsibilities

Represent the Hardware Test Lab throughout the product development lifecycle.
Define and develop hardware validation, qualification, reliability, and compliance test strategies based on product requirements.
Develop and maintain test plans, procedures, reports, and supporting documentation.
Coordinate and execute hardware testing activities, including project schedules, resource planning, and risk management.
Design, build, and improve laboratory test setups, fixtures, and test infrastructure.
Review, analyze, and document test results to determine compliance with product requirements.
Investigate and troubleshoot hardware, system, and test setup failures.
Drive effective corrective and preventive actions resulting from validation, field, and customer-reported issues.
Support agency certification activities with organizations such as UL, ULC, FM, CE, and other applicable standards bodies.
Collaborate with engineering teams to ensure products are designed for testability and compliance.
Develop and support test automation solutions to improve efficiency and repeatability.
Assist with laboratory equipment selection, maintenance, and capital improvement projects.
Provide technical guidance and mentoring to test technicians and associate engineers.
Support continuous improvement initiatives for laboratory processes, standard work, and testing methods.

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree
3+ years’ experience in hardware testing, product validation, compliance testing, or related engineering fields.

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical discipline.
Strong background in electronic hardware design, troubleshooting, and test methodologies.
Experience developing and executing validation and qualification test plans.
Skilled use of standard laboratory equipment, including oscilloscopes, multimeters, power supplies, environmental chambers, and other electronic measurement equipment.
Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, technical drawings, and product specifications.
Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
Excellent technical documentation, communication, and presentation skills.
Proven ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Project.
Experience with EMC, EMI, environmental, reliability, safety, vibration, thermal, and agency compliance testing.
Experience with UL, ULC, FM, CE, FCC, or similar certification programs.
Familiarity with fire alarm, life safety, industrial controls, or embedded electronic products.
Experience with test automation and programming tools such as Python, LabVIEW, C#, or similar technologies.
Experience developing custom hardware test fixtures and test systems.
Knowledge of networking and communication protocols used in electronic systems.
Experience working with external certification laboratories and regulatory agencies.