Firmware Validation & Verification Engineer
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Job Type: contract
Job Summary
We are seeking a hands-on Validation & Verification Engineer to support the testing and validation of embedded electrical, firmware, and power management products.
The ideal candidate will have experience in hardware, firmware, and system-level validation, along with Python-based test automation, hardware troubleshooting, communication protocols, compliance testing, and defect analysis. This role involves working in a laboratory environment and collaborating closely with hardware, firmware, and systems engineering teams.
Key Responsibilities
Develop and execute validation plans, test cases, and test procedures.
Perform hardware, firmware, and system-level testing.
Conduct both black-box and white-box testing.
Develop and maintain Python-based test automation frameworks.
Troubleshoot hardware, firmware, and communication-related issues.
Perform root cause analysis, defect verification, and failure analysis.
Support product compliance and functional safety testing.
Develop requirement-based test cases and validation procedures.
Perform system integration and end-to-end validation testing.
Collaborate with hardware, firmware, electrical, and systems engineering teams.
Work independently in a laboratory environment to identify and resolve product issues.
Required Qualifications
4–5 years of experience in embedded systems testing, product validation, or Validation & Verification engineering.
Strong understanding of analog, digital, and power electronics.
Ability to understand and troubleshoot electrical schematics at the circuit level.
Hands-on experience using:
Digital Multimeters (DMM)
Oscilloscopes
Logic Analyzers
Waveform/Function Generators
Experience with Python programming and test automation.
Working knowledge of C/C++.
Experience with embedded system debuggers.
Understanding of software architecture and embedded systems.
Experience with black-box and white-box testing.
Experience creating and executing test plans and test procedures.
Strong hardware troubleshooting and system integration skills.
Experience with root cause analysis and requirement-based testing.
Communication Protocols
Experience with one or more of the following:
TCP/IP
Modbus
I2C
SPI
SCI/UART
Bluetooth
Zigbee
Wi-Fi
Standards & Compliance
Knowledge of UL standards.
Experience with functional safety testing.
Experience working in compliance-driven testing environments.
Nice-to-Have Skills
Experience with any of the following is highly desirable:
Protection curves
Rogowski coils
Current Transformers (CT)
GOOSE communication
Automatic Transfer Systems (ATS)
Circuit breakers
Electrical protection products
Power management products
Industrial control systems