Test Engineer (Software)

We are looking for a proactive and detail-oriented Test Engineer (Software) to work within the Engineering team and report to the Firmware Team Lead. This is a software-focused test engineering role responsible for developing the software and instrument drivers that control the company’s automated test equipment (ATE). The primary function is to ensure the software side of every test system is correct, robust and maintainable – writing and validating equipment drivers, test sequences and data-handling code. New software is developed primarily using AI-assisted methods to build code faster and more efficiently, while LabVIEW is used only to maintain and support legacy ATE sites.

The postholder also requires a working level of electrical and electronic knowledge to wire up, bring up and diagnose test fixtures, working alongside our hardware-focused Test Engineers – though hardware is a supporting skill rather than the primary function of this role.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

The below list is not exhaustive, but the main duties and responsibilities will be:

• Design, write, test and maintain instrument and equipment drivers and low-level interfaces for automated test equipment.
• Develop and validate test sequences, control software and data-handling/logging code, ensuring the software side of each test system is correct and reliable.
• Use AI-assisted development as the primary approach for all new test software – building code faster, more efficiently and to a consistent standard.
• Maintain and support LabVIEW-based software at legacy ATE sites, working within the existing VI library (legacy support only – not used for new development).
• Follow good software engineering practice – version control, code review, documentation and testing – for both AI-generated and hand-written code.
• Integrate test software with instruments and interfaces (e.g. serial, USB, I/²C/SPI, SCPI/VISA, digital I/O) and troubleshoot communications issues.
• Interface test software with SQL databases for test data acquisition, storage and reporting.
• Wire up, bring up and diagnose test fixtures to a competent level, supporting commissioning and fault-finding alongside hardware-focused Test Engineers (supporting function).
• Support the verification and validation of test equipment and fixtures against the test plan.
• Provide software support and troubleshooting to production and the wider test team.
• Contribute software and testing input into the NPI and PFMEA processes for new products.
• Prepare clear software documentation and test reports, and keep records in line with quality and company procedures.
• Support NPD with test scripts for scope of work validation and conformance testing with hands-on testing support when required.

Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours

The postholder will possess a range of the following knowledge, skills, and behaviours:

• Degree or HND in Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Software/Computer Engineering or equivalent experience.
• Strong software development skills across modern languages such as Python, C, C++ or C#, with a focus on writing and maintaining instrument/equipment drivers.
• Experience creating user-friendly Graphical User Interfaces to drive the test equipment.
• Demonstrable ability to develop software using AI-assisted tools to build test applications faster and more efficiently – the primary approach for all new development.
• Experience writing device drivers and communicating with instruments and hardware over interfaces such as serial, USB, I/²C/SPI, SCPI/VISA or digital I/O.
• LabVIEW experience is beneficial for supporting legacy ATE sites, but is not essential and is not used for new development and is being phased out.
• Experience using SQL databases for test data acquisition, storage and analysis.
• A working level of electrical and electronic knowledge – able to read schematics, wire up and diagnose test fixtures (a supporting skill, secondary to the software role).
• Good fault-finding/troubleshooting skills across software, and to a competent level on test equipment and fixtures.
• Understanding of electronics fundamentals and digital communications.
• Structured, detail-oriented approach to software quality, version control and documentation.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, with good record-keeping.
• Highly organised and self-motivated, able to work both autonomously and as part of a team.

Core Soft Skills

The postholder will be required to demonstrate the following key core soft skills for their band: