SQA and Test Automation Engineer

Alert Venture Foundry (AVF) is a technology venture studio that creates and develops technology-driven businesses from pure research through positive cash flow, then launches them as independent companies. Our projects span a diverse range of technologies and markets, including Flying Tools, robots with a long flexible arm and flying end effectors;
Georgie's Kitchen, a direct-to-consumer food business delivering chef-crafted, premium chilled meals through a proprietary distribution technology; and several other projects still in early-stage research.

We’re looking for a Senior SQA & Test Automation Engineer with deep experience testing robotics and physical systems. In this role, you’ll lead the design of test infrastructure across multiple layers of the stack - from motion control and sensor integration to cloud-based interfaces and dashboards. You’ll work closely with engineers across software, firmware, and hardware to validate system performance in simulation and in the real world.

This role is on-site 4 days per week.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in hands‑on environments, enjoys cross-disciplinary collaboration, and wants to help shape testing practices for complex systems that span both the physical and digital worlds.

• Design, build, maintain, and evolve automated test frameworks for robotic platforms, with a strong emphasis on physical system behavior and real‑world reliability
• Develop simulation‑based testing environments using tools such as Gazebo, Isaac Sim, or custom HIL/SIL setups
• Implement hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HIL) and software‑in‑the‑loop (SIL) test pipelines.
• Develop automated tests for motion control, sensor accuracy, communication stability, error handling, and regression detection
• Integrate automated testing into CI/CD workflows using tools such as Git Hub Actions or Jenkins to enable scalable, repeatable testing
• Partner with engineering teams to define unit, integration, and system validation strategies
• Develop and support internal tools for data capture, visualization, telemetry, and debugging
• Contribute to test planning, triage, prioritization, and iteration planning within AVF’s collaborative engineering environment

• 6+ years of experience in QA, SQA, or test automation for robotics, hardware‑integrated systems, embedded products, or other complex physical systems
• Strong proficiency in Python for scripting, test automation, and data tooling
• Hands‑on expertise designing and executing tests for physical systems, including motion subsystems, sensors, embedded devices, or mechatronics
• Experience with robotics simulation tools such as Gazebo, Isaac Sim, Webots, or Unity‑based platforms
• Working knowledge of CI/CD pipelines and tools such as Git Hub Actions or Jenkins
• Demonstrated ability to work closely with hardware and firmware teams
• Strong command of testing practices across unit, integration, system, regression, performance, and safety‑critical workflows
• Experience testing web applications and dashboards using tools such as Playwright, Selenium, or API testing frameworks, and/or mobile applications using Appium on Android/iOS
• Bachelor's or Master’s in Computer Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, or a related technical field

• Familiarity with ROS2, middleware integration, and logging or telemetry systems
• Exposure to embedded‑level testing, edge compute devices, or safety‑critical software
• Interest or demonstrated aptitude in technical coordination, cross‑team planning, and helping drive work forward
• Proficiency with AI‑assisted development tools such as Cursor, Git Hub Copilot, or comparable platforms

• Help shape the safety, reliability, and performance of cutting‑edge robotics systems from lab to field
• Build foundational test infrastructure that supports rapid iteration across multiple ventures
• Work alongside talented engineers across hardware, embedded systems, and software
• Influence testing practices and strengthen engineering discipline in a fast‑moving, high‑ownership, collaborative environment

AVF is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity across all dimensions.