Principal Manufacturing Test Engineer

About The Role

ZT Systems is entering a new chapter of growth fueled by the next generation of hyperscale AI systems. These rack-scale, liquid-cooled, and highly interconnected architectures demand smart factories with integrated human–machine interfaces and data-rich environments that deliver reliability and innovation. We are seeking technical leaders with a quality mindset across multiple engineering disciplines to help shape this future — combining our culture of execution with new strengths in metrology, mechatronics, and test architecture to build advanced automation, predictive analytics, and AI-enabled processes that redefine how customer experience is delivered.

The Principal Manufacturing Test Engineer will lead the strategy, development, and execution of test systems for hyperscale hardware products across all stages of production—from individual assembly modules to full server racks and clusters. They will deploy automation, advanced analytics, and Design-for-Test principles to create scalable systems that ensure seamless launches and zero-defect performance.

• Lead or contribute to transformation initiatives, helping set new standards for how ZT approaches manufacturing risk analysis, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Define and implement new systems, processes, or frameworks that support the smart factory vision, including automation, metrology, advanced inspection and testing, and predictive analytics.
• Collaborate across design, quality, manufacturing, test, and supplier engineering to drive solutions that integrate seamlessly into production.
• Leverage deep, data-rich environments and tools to generate insights; drive continuous improvement to yield, reliability, and throughput using root cause analysis and Time to Failure insights.
• Apply advanced statistical and analytical methods to identify, quantify, and control risk in complex manufacturing environments.
• Translate DFM and PFMEA outputs into actionable process controls, ensuring proactive prevention of variation rather than reactive correction.
• Develop and execute comprehensive test strategies for all levels of hyperscale product assembly: module, server, rack, and cluster.
• Create and lead the development and execution of cluster-level validation testing.
• Define and implement best-in-class manufacturing test practices and create a clear roadmap to achieve them.
• Nurture outside-the-box thinking and create a risk-taking culture to enable the creation of leading-edge test processes and utilities.
• Serve as SME for understanding customer product design, along with test and infrastructure requirements.
• Create and own the Design-for-Test (DFT) strategy across all products.
• Coach and nurture global test stakeholders to maximize their potential and facilitate a culture of learning and growth. Act as a thought partner and subject matter expert to refine ideas, generate hypotheses, and analyze data to formulate solutions.
• Design and oversee the deployment of high-reliability factory test infrastructure and test stations (manual, automated, and semi-automated).
• Specify and manage Test Management and Execution Software to coordinate diagnostics, test workflows, and reporting. Specify, develop, and maintain Test Executive test automation software for module and system-level testing.
• Lead the integration of customer test requirements, software, and infrastructure into factory systems.
• Create and maintain comprehensive test plans and test coverage reports.
• Drive the adoption of industry-standard and open-source test tools.
• Create industry-leading low-level tests, utilities, and diagnostics at the module and board level.
• Champion automation across test stages to improve cycle time, test coverage, and yield.
• Develop and optimize server- and rack-level tests including assembly line verification, BOM & configuration validation, firmware updates, system stress testing and burn-in, and integration of customer-supplied test requirements.
• Optimize test cycle times through Time-to-Failure analysis and strategic quality sampling.
• Lead root cause analysis (RCA) and implementation of corrective actions.

This critical leadership role requires…