Embedded Systems Test Engineer

Sigma Design is a product development, engineering, and manufacturing firm. Based out of the Pacific Northwest, we offer innovative concept through production services to diverse clients around the globe. Sigma Design believes in hiring, developing, and recognizing the best. We offer competitive compensation, a 401(k) with up to 4% company match, quarterly bonus program, 15-days of accrued PTO and 9 company paid holidays. In addition, Sigma Design has multiple options for medical insurance and dental insurance. We also offer voluntary benefits: vision, long-term disability, and life insurance.

Position Details:

The hiring range for this role is typically between $95,000 and $116,000 annually, with the full range extending to $137,000 annually, based on experience, internal equity, and career progression
This position will be In-Office
Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Primary Function:
The Embedded Systems Test Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, executing, and maintaining reliability and validation test programs for embedded and robotic systems. This role focuses on stress testing hardware, firmware, and electromechanical subsystems, collecting and analyzing telemetry data, identifying reliability risks, and providing actionable insights to engineering teams throughout the product development lifecycle.

Essential Job Functions - Responsibilities:

Design, develop, execute, and maintain automated test scripts to stress system and firmware limits across robotic and embedded subsystems.
Interface with subsystem APIs to collect error logs, telemetry data, diagnostics, and performance metrics.
Instrument hardware with electrical and thermal sensors to capture and analyze performance data under various operating conditions.
Execute reliability and validation test plans and generate detailed reports for cross-functional engineering stakeholders.
Monitor firmware logs for assertion failures, anomalies, and performance degradation across extended test cycles.
Track communication bus packet loss, timing issues, sensor drift, and driver performance to identify failure trends and subsystem degradation.
Perform statistical analysis on telemetry and test data to identify reliability risks and support engineering decision-making.
Partner with Failure Analysis (FA) engineers to validate repaired, rebuilt, or reworked subsystems.
Support design and manufacturing teams by feeding reliability data into risk mitigation and continuous improvement activities.
Operate, maintain, and improve test infrastructure including environmental chambers, logic analyzers, bus analyzers, power-cycling rigs, and programmable electronic loads.
Follow Business Technology policies to protect sensitive data and reduce information security occurrences.

Education and Experience: (Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities)
Education & Experience

BS or MS in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
Minimum of 3 years of experience in hardware reliability testing, embedded systems validation, robotics testing, or a related engineering field.
Demonstrated experience developing automated test scripts using Python or similar programming languages.
Hands-on experience with laboratory test instrumentation including environmental chambers, logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, and programmable electronic loads.
Strong written and verbal English language communication skills.
Excellent teamwork and interpersonal communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary engineering teams.
Demonstrated commitment and adherence to Sigma Design Core Values.
Pass a post-offer background verification.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Strong working knowledge of communication protocols such as CAN, EtherCAT, MIPI, USB, UART, SPI, I2C, and Ethernet.
Ability to interpret telemetry, diagnostic logs, and test results and translate findings into actionable engineering recommendations.
Familiarity with power electronics and motor control systems including H-bridges, motor drives, and power management circuits.
Understanding of robotic systems, embedded platforms, and high-reliability electromechanical products.
Exposure to signal integrity analysis and troubleshooting of high-speed digital interfaces.
Experience with thermal profiling, environmental stress screening (ESS), and reliability qualification testing.
Background in firmware diagnostics, embedded software validation, and system-level debugging.
Strong technical report-writing and presentation skills.
Ability to work independently and manage multiple test campaigns simultaneously.

Tools & Infrastructure

Environmental chambers (thermal, humidity, vibration)
Logic analyzers and protocol analyzers
CAN and EtherCAT bus sniffers
Oscilloscopes and electronic measurement equipment
Power-cycling rigs and programmable electronic loads
Embedded system APIs and firmware diagnostic interfaces
Data logging, telemetry, and analytics platforms

Work Environment
Standard lab/production environment. Appropriate safety garments (PPE) must be worn. Occasionally may be required to work in environmental conditions that emulate typical user environments in order to facilitate design testing and validation. Occasionally may be required to travel as required to other facilities, clients, or suppliers. Must be able to stand and work as long as 12 hours in different positions. Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds unassisted.

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