Junior DQA Engineer

Other World Computing•Woodstock, IL

19h•$0 - $60,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Junior DQA Engineer is an entry-level member of the Design Quality Assurance (DQA) team, working under direction of Senior DQA Engineers to execute structured validation testing across Other World Computing's hardware product portfolio. This role is built for someone early in their career who wants to build deep, hands-on expertise in hardware validation — learning how to test products systematically, document findings rigorously, and contribute to quality decisions on real hardware before it ships. Senior DQA Engineers and the DQA Lead will provide test plans, technical guidance, and mentorship. What we need from you is careful execution, honest documentation, and genuine curiosity about how things work. DQA operates as an in-house independent third party. DQA Engineers are expected to execute their test plans faithfully, document results objectively, and report findings as-is — regardless of what Engineering or other teams might prefer to hear. Integrity of results is non-negotiable.

Requirements

0–2 years of hardware validation, hardware QA, technical support, or related hands-on experience. Internship, co-op, and academic lab experience counts.
Genuine interest in storage and connectivity hardware — you don't need to know how Thunderbolt works on day one, but you should want to.
Strong attention to detail — able to follow a test plan exactly, document results completely, and flag unexpected behavior even when it appears minor.
Clear, organized written communication — test logs and issue notes that a colleague can read and act on without needing to ask you follow-up questions.
Physically comfortable with hands-on lab work: equipment setup and teardown, cable management, device handling.
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field — or equivalent hands-on experience. New graduates are encouraged to apply.

Nice To Haves

Any hands-on experience with storage performance tools: CrystalDiskMark, Blackmagic Disk Speed Test, AmorphousDiskMark — even in a personal or academic context.
Basic familiarity with command-line tools on macOS and/or Windows.
Introductory scripting ability (Python or Bash) — enough to run a script and understand what it's doing.
Exposure to S.M.A.R.T. monitoring or drive diagnostic tools.
Any experience with a test case management or bug tracking system.
Background in consumer electronics, PC hardware, photography, or professional AV equipment — as a user, hobbyist, or professionally.

Responsibilities

Execute DQA test plans authored by Senior DQA Engineers across assigned products and milestones (EVT, DVT, PVT), following defined procedures precisely.
Run performance benchmarks on storage and connectivity products using standard tools (CrystalDiskMark, AmorphousDiskMark, AJA System Test) as well as in-house tools, across Mac, Windows, and Linux hosts.
Conduct compatibility testing: verify device functionality across host systems, OS versions, and downstream device combinations per the compatibility matrix provided.
Execute out-of-box experience (OOB) validation: packaging integrity, accessory completeness, first-use setup flow, labeling accuracy, and documentation correctness.
Perform reliability and stress testing: sustained write endurance runs, repeated connection cycle tests, sleep/wake validation, and power cycle testing.
Under the guidance of Senior DQA Engineers, conduct enclosure surface temperature measurements using FLIR thermal camera or thermocouples during sustained load and idle conditions.
Monitor and log drive temperature via S.M.A.R.T. telemetry during performance test runs.
Assist with acoustic measurements for fan-cooled and passive products under defined ambient conditions.
Log all issues discovered during test execution in the shared issue tracker with clear reproduction steps, system configuration, OS and firmware version, and observed vs. expected behavior.
Capture photo documentation per the DQA photo protocol at each build stage: standard angles, defined lighting, and structured archive naming.
Provide macro photography for cosmetic, connector, or PCB defects with ruler scale reference.
Run compatibility and performance tests for new SATA SSDs, M.2 SSDs, HDDs, and other components under evaluation, under the direction of Senior DQA Engineers.
Record results accurately and completely for Senior DQA Engineer review and qualification determination.
Maintain test bench organization and cable inventory for assigned test areas.
Track sample status: receive, label, and log incoming EVT/DVT/PVT units; note build ID, revision, and firmware version.
Assist with equipment setup, teardown, and general lab upkeep.

Benefits

Competitive salary and equity participation
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
401(k) with company match
Paid time off and company holidays
Annual hardware and technology stipend
Professional development and conference budget
On-site lab environment with access to latest storage and connectivity hardware
Competitive pay
A generous number of vacation/sick/personal days every year, including birthday time off!
Comprehensive health, vision, dental and wellness benefits.
401K
Life Insurance
Disability Insurance
Accident Insurance
Critical Illness Insurance
Tuition and Loan Assistance
Ongoing opportunities to learn, develop new skills and support your personal growth.