Senior Hardware Validation, Automation Engineer

Digi International

Hardware Validation & Automation Engineer validating SmartSense IoT devices and systems. Lead verification activities across multiple development phases including testing and automation strategies.

Posted 6/10/2026full-timeBoston • Massachusetts, Minnesota • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $95,000 - $149,000 per yearWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

CloudDockerIoTPython

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead validation and verification activities for SmartSense IoT sensors, gateways, and connected monitoring devices across EVT, DVT, and PVT development phases
Execute smoke testing, regression testing, and system-level validation covering hardware platforms, firmware functionality, and system software behavior
Validate wireless connectivity technologies including BLE, Zigbee, LTE, Wi-Fi, GPS, and other IoT communication protocols
Perform device validation under real-world operating conditions: stress testing, soak testing, field testing, environmental testing, and long-term reliability testing
Investigate failures using hardware debugging tools, device logs, telemetry data, and data analysis; drive root cause analysis across hardware, firmware, and system layers
Review hardware designs and schematics produced by contract manufacturers, identifying potential validation risks and testability concerns early in the design cycle
Collaborate with contract manufacturers to support hardware validation, manufacturing test readiness, and system-level troubleshooting
Design, build, and maintain automated test frameworks and validation pipelines that test device behavior, connectivity, telemetry workflows, and system integrations
Develop hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test systems and automated device test rigs that enable scalable, repeatable validation
Build and maintain automated environments using Python (pytest), Docker, and CI/CD pipelines to integrate validation into engineering workflows
Own the automation strategy and roadmap, driving continuous improvement in test coverage, execution speed, and infrastructure reliability
Apply BDD testing approaches and structured validation methodologies to ensure comprehensive and traceable test coverage
Provide technical direction and structured guidance to the extended test engineering team, enabling more independent and effective execution
Work closely with hardware, firmware, software, and product teams to reproduce issues, verify fixes, and continuously improve system reliability
Ensure validation processes meet regulated and compliance-driven environment requirements, including traceability, documentation, and audit readiness
Document validation strategies, test results, hardware architecture insights, and design decisions to support scalable development practices

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field
5+ years of experience testing embedded systems, hardware platforms, or IoT devices
Strong hands-on hardware validation skills: schematic reading, PCB bring-up, and hardware debugging and measurement tools
Solid experience designing and maintaining automated test environments and validation pipelines
Proficiency in Python-based testing frameworks, including pytest, and experience with Docker and containerized test environments
Experience with CI/CD integration for automated testing pipelines
Experience developing hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) or automated device test systems
Experience testing integrated systems across hardware, firmware, and software — including IoT device connectivity, telemetry, and device-to-cloud communication
Experience supporting EVT/DVT/PVT development cycles and working closely with contract manufacturers
Strong analytical mindset with the ability to investigate complex system failures across multiple engineering layers
Clear communicator who can translate technical findings for cross-functional teams

Benefits

Comp & perks

Total Rewards package including short-term incentive program
New hire stock award
Paid parental leave
Open (uncapped) PTO
Competitive medical, health & wellbeing offerings
Hybrid work environment

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

hardware validationschematic readingPCB bring-uphardware debuggingautomated test environmentsvalidation pipelinesPythonpytestDockerhardware-in-the-loop (HIL)

Soft Skills

analytical mindsetclear communicationtechnical directioncollaborationproblem-solvingindependent executioncontinuous improvementstructured guidancecross-functional teamworktest coverage