Firmware QA Technician

Firmware QA Technician

Department: Engineering (126) CT

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Chester, CT

Reporting To: Angelo Arcaria

We are seeking a technically proficient Firmware QA Technician with a strong background in hardware and embedded firmware validation to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for ensuring the reliability of cutting-edge hardware and embedded systems through meticulous testing and analysis. You will collaborate with hardware engineers, firmware developers, and test automation engineers to design and execute test plans that evaluate system performance, signal integrity, and protocol compliance.

Test Planning & Execution:

• Develop and maintain comprehensive test suites and repositories to validate firmware functionality and hardware performance.
• Execute structured test plans based on product specifications using Xray for Jira, ensuring full requirements coverage from concept to production.
• Perform exploratory testing to identify edge‑case hardware failures, power‑cycle regressions, and communication latency issues.

Hardware & Firmware Integration:

• Perform firmware updates and provisioning across various hardware revisions using bootloaders and debug probes such as J‑Link and ST‑Link.
• Identify and isolate hardware‑related defects, providing detailed feedback to engineering teams regarding system behavior and potential failure points.

Lab Validation & Protocol Analysis:

• Utilize and manage advanced lab equipment including oscilloscopes, power supplies, digital multimeters, and logic analyzers for precise test setup and debugging.
• Conduct in‑depth analysis of serial communication protocols using tools like Wireshark and USB analyzers to ensure data integrity.

Collaboration & Reporting:

• Work within an Agile/Scrum environment, participating in sprint planning and retrospectives to ensure alignment with development goals.
• Provide clear, technical reports on test results, identifying defects and documenting test procedures to support formal verification and validation efforts.

• Associate degree (AA/AS) in Electronic Engineering Technology, Computer Engineering Technology, or a related field.
• 1–2+ years of experience in a lab or manufacturing environment involving embedded systems.
• Must have a solid understanding of firmware development and embedded system architecture.
• Must be proficient in the use of common electronic test equipment: digital multimeters, oscilloscopes, and function generators.
• Must be able to read and interpret electrical schematics to understand signal flow and identify potential hardware‑software integration issues.
• Must have hands‑on experience debugging firmware and utilizing firmware provisioning tools.
• Must possess a knowledge of common manufacturing processes as they relate to electronic assemblies and subassemblies.
• Must be proficient in analyzing requirements or technical specifications to create effective test cases.
• Must possess excellent communication skills and be able to collaborate effectively with engineers spanning a variety of disciplines.
• Must be personable and able to work well as part of a dedicated team in order to represent the core family values of Whelen Engineering while interacting with fellow employees and vendors.

• Familiarity with CAN, USB, UART, SPI, I2C, and Ethernet communication protocols.
• Experience with Atlassian development and collaboration tools, such as Jira, Xray, and Confluence.
• Familiarity with safety or regulatory standards relevant to embedded systems (e.g., ISO, IEC).
• Strong debugging and troubleshooting skills in both software and hardware contexts.

• Comply with the EH&S Policy and applicable regulatory and company EH&S rules and requirements.
• Report to supervision conditions or practices that are either unsafe or that may adversely impact the environment, to ensure prompt resolution of potential hazards.
• Attend scheduled EH&S training program.
• Actively support the organization’s efforts to meet or exceed EH&S goals and plans.
• Recommend improved EH&S practices.

Must be able to communicate effectively with co‑workers,…