Hardware Test Engineer

Optivolt•San Francisco, CA

12h•$150,000 - $210,000

About The Position

As a Hardware Test Engineer at Optivolt, you will build the test infrastructure and validation systems that enable rapid development of reliable, high-performance solar products. You will own hands-on electrical and system-level testing, spanning prototype characterization, automated regression, field validation, and production test development. The role includes designing and maintaining test benches for Hub, power electronics, and integrated solar systems; automating validation through test scripts, fixtures, instrumentation interfaces, and data collection; and characterizing electrical performance, efficiency, communications, thermal behavior, and protection functions. You will conduct functional, environmental, stress, and firmware/hardware regression testing, develop hardware-in-the-loop or other automated system validation where useful, analyze data and reproduce failures, and work with engineers to identify root causes and implement fixes. You will also create repeatable test plans, acceptance criteria, procedures, and concise reports; and support certification testing, outdoor trials, and end-of-line manufacturing test. The role requires being based in San Francisco, willingness to work extended hours as needed for critical milestones, and participation in customer on-call support.

Requirements

At least 3 years of hands-on hardware test, validation, or electrical engineering experience.
Strong electrical fundamentals and ability to read schematics and debug circuits.
Experience with oscilloscopes, power analyzers, electronic loads, DAQs, and bench instrumentation.
Python proficiency for automation, analysis, and instrument control.
Experience building test fixtures and repeatable validation processes.
Ability to distinguish hardware, firmware, communications, and system-level failure modes.
Strong experimental rigor, documentation, and ownership.
Willingness to work extended hours as needed to support critical milestones.
Must be based in San Francisco, California.

Nice To Haves

Experience with DC-DC converters, solar, batteries, or embedded controllers.
Familiarity with environmental chambers and accelerated reliability testing.
Experience with SCPI, LabVIEW, CAN, UART, SPI, or similar interfaces.
Experience building production test equipment and dashboards.

Responsibilities

Design and maintain test benches for Hub, power electronics, and integrated solar systems.
Develop automated test scripts, fixtures, instrumentation interfaces, and data collection systems.
Characterize electrical performance, efficiency, communications, thermal behavior, and protection functions.
Run functional, environmental, stress, and firmware/hardware regression testing.
Build hardware-in-the-loop or other automated system validation where useful.
Analyze data, reproduce failures, isolate root causes, and partner with engineers on fixes.
Write repeatable test plans, acceptance criteria, procedures, and concise reports.
Support certification testing, outdoor trials, and end-of-line manufacturing test.
Participate in on-call support for customers.