Senior Hardware Test Engineer

The Senior Hardware Test Engineer is responsible for developing, implementing, and sustaining test processes and equipment used in the manufacturing of hardware products. This role ensures that products meet quality, reliability, and performance standards through robust test strategies, automation, and continuous improvement. The engineer acts as a bridge between design engineering, manufacturing operations, and quality assurance, supporting new product introductions (NPI) through to mass production and sustaining phases.  

This is a great opportunity to be part of one of the fastest-growing AI infrastructure companies in history, an organization that is in the center of the hurricane being created by the revolution in artificial intelligence.

VAST Data is the data platform company for the AI era. We are building the enterprise software infrastructure to capture, catalog, refine, enrich, and protect massive datasets and make them available for real-time data analysis and AI training and inference. Designed from the ground up to make AI simple to deploy and manage, VAST takes the cost and complexity out of deploying enterprise and AI infrastructure across data center, edge, and cloud.

Our success has been built through intense innovation, a customer-first mentality and a team of fearless VASTronauts who leverage their skills & experiences to make real market impact. This is an opportunity to be a key contributor at a pivotal time in our company's growth and at a pivotal point in computing history.

Role and Responsibilities:

Test Development & Validation

• Design, develop, and implement test plans, test fixtures and infrastructure. 
• Collaborate with R&D to define test requirements early in the product lifecycle.
• Develop test scripts and automation software (Python, LabVIEW, C#, etc.) to improve coverage and efficiency.
• Validate test coverage, yield, and reliability through statistical analysis (GR&R, Cpk, SPC).

New Product Introduction (NPI)

• Support EVT, DVT, and PVT phases with test readiness and execution.
• Lead test process transfer to contract manufacturers (CMs) or ODM partners.
• Train CM engineers/technicians on test systems and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with safety, regulatory, and customer requirements.

Manufacturing Support & Continuous Improvement

• Monitor production test yields, debug failures, and drive root cause analysis (RCA).
• Implement corrective actions and continuous improvements to reduce test time, cost, and false failures.
• Maintain and calibrate test equipment and fixtures.
• Support ECO (Engineering Change Orders) by updating test plans and equipment accordingly.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with hardware, firmware, and reliability engineers to improve product testability and robustness.
• Partner with Quality and Operations to ensure smooth scaling into mass production.
• Engage with suppliers and CM partners on test strategy alignment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.
• 5–8+ years of experience in manufacturing test engineering, preferably in electronics/hardware products.
• Proficiency in test automation tools (e.g., LabVIEW, Python, C#, TestStand).
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes 
• Strong problem-solving and analytical mindset.
• Excellent communication and collaboration across cross-functional teams.
• Ability to lead projects, mentor junior engineers, and work with global teams.

Desired Qualifications

• Good understanding and experience of server systems including test methodology for CPU, memory and motherboards
• Experience with IPMI and testing BMC functionality
• Familiarity with networking and testing networking infrastructure
• Experience with storage architecture, including testing SSDs
• Experience with PCIe debugging and testing
• Bench-top electrical debug tool experience as well as electrical design of test circuitry
• Knowledge of programming devices such as CPLDs