Lead Engineer - Verification and Validation
Apply NowCompany: Kristen J. Bates & Associates LLC
Location: Lawrence, KS 66044
Description:
Job Description
We are looking for an energetic, collaborative validation engineering leader who embraces
Scrum/Agile methodologies to verify and validate high reliability PV inverters and associated
sub-systems. This is a hands-on leadership position where you will be challenged with a wide
variety of assignments. This includes: Scrum project planning, Architecture/Design of test
automation systems for hardware and software, test case creation, coaching the validation team
to drive constantly increasing velocity, high powered system validation, high performance
controls software validation, and next generation PV communications infrastructure testing.
The ideal candidate is a skilled Scrum practitioner, who has led Scrum teams in mixed
Hardware/Software environments. A strong background in continuous integration, with heavy
emphasis on automated regression testing for both hardware and software is required. The
ideal candidate will thrive on design and implementation of automated regression tests, and will
lead the team by example from within.
DUTIES:
1. Responsible for performing all Scrum Master duties for Verification and Validation team
including:
a. Backlog translation and breakdown with team.
b. Backlog points estimation.
c. High energy sprint execution.
d. Holding daily standups.
e. Driving elimination of all impediments to team progress.
f. Driving continuous team process improvement in every sprint.
g. Increasing team happiness with constant feedback and improved team execution.
h. Driving continuous increase in team velocity.
i. Maintaining project burn down charts and other associated Scrum metrics on every
sprint.
2. Lead designer/architect of automatic regression testing systems for both hardware and
software. Will design systems, hardware, and software to support test automation in
multiple environments (LabView, Visual Basic, and Jenkins).
3. Responsible for deriving Agile/Scrum plans from product requirements, to verify and validate
major new product initiatives.
4. Execute verification and validation plans, understand priorities and communicate with other
stake-holders effectively to adjust plans. The following validation environments/methodologies
will be led by the team:
a. High powered lab testing at system level.
b. Controls software testing automation (PIL/HIL).
c. Communications software testing automation (Jenkins, Cloud based).
d. HALT, ALT, Long duration testing.
e. Environmental testing: Shock, Vibration, Hot/Cold, Humidity, and gas contamination
exposure to the units under test.
f. EMI testing for FCC and other national certifications.
g. UL testing for inverters.
5. Set up infrastructure and equipment. Design new test rigs and lead the creation and
setup of test stands by leveraging existing assets with a cost efficient and practical
approach.
6. Provides ROI analysis to justify financial investment of test infrastructure build out.
7. Mentor/Coach to peers and team members on the subjects of test automation, Scrum
leadership and product validation methodologies.
8. Oversee detailed technical and safety training of team members.
9. Additional duties may be assigned, as business circumstances require.
REQUIREMENTS:
Skills/Knowledge/Abilities:
1. Hands on experience designing and deployment test automation systems for hardware and
software.
2. Agile/Scrum leadership; demonstrated professional application of Scrum to hardware/software
systems.
3. Hands-on experience in electronic circuit design in the following areas:
a. Basic electrical engineering experience to design simple circuits to condition signals and
be able to design test set ups with up to 1500VC input and connecting with up to 600
VAC to the grid.
b. CPU based systems, with significant digital circuitry such as communications, memory,
and I/O.
4. Hands on experience in software engineering practice including:
a. LabView and Visual Basic programming for test automation.
b. Real time embedded systems programming in C.
c. C/C++ programming in Linux Environment, with emphasis on Jenkins test automation.
d. Algorithm design experience as it relates to programming test equipment.
e. Advanced testing experience including unit test, functional test, system test,
white box testing, black box testing, boundary testing, stress testing, and
automated regression testing.
f. Embedded communications systems including TCP/IP, Ethernet, CAN, Modbus, and
wireless protocols.
5. Experience validating products in compliance based environment: UL, FCC, other international
certifications.
6. Ability to understand complex designs and failure modes with software/hardware interactions.
7. Significant understanding and work experience of test equipment like power analyzers, scopes,
data acquisition hardware and controls hardware used to automate testing.
8. Must have strong computer skills, ability to use design tools, system debuggers, programmers,
word, excel, power point, databases, web interfaces, etc.
9. Ability to get best results from the team, lead by example for technical and day to day
performance issues.
10. Keen attention to detail/Quality control skills.
11. A high level of initiative and a proactive nature, be able to anticipate problems,
12. Outstanding spoken and written communication skills, strong organizational and time
management skills. Fluency in English is essential.
13. Project management skills, project planning, schedule creation and maintenance, and project
execution.
14. Willingness to travel up to 10% of time domestically and internationally to support field
validation.
Education/Certification:
BSEE/BSCE and 4 years of professional experience OR
MSEE/MSCE and 2 years of professional experience
Certified Scrum Master
We are looking for an energetic, collaborative validation engineering leader who embraces
Scrum/Agile methodologies to verify and validate high reliability PV inverters and associated
sub-systems. This is a hands-on leadership position where you will be challenged with a wide
variety of assignments. This includes: Scrum project planning, Architecture/Design of test
automation systems for hardware and software, test case creation, coaching the validation team
to drive constantly increasing velocity, high powered system validation, high performance
controls software validation, and next generation PV communications infrastructure testing.
The ideal candidate is a skilled Scrum practitioner, who has led Scrum teams in mixed
Hardware/Software environments. A strong background in continuous integration, with heavy
emphasis on automated regression testing for both hardware and software is required. The
ideal candidate will thrive on design and implementation of automated regression tests, and will
lead the team by example from within.
DUTIES:
1. Responsible for performing all Scrum Master duties for Verification and Validation team
including:
a. Backlog translation and breakdown with team.
b. Backlog points estimation.
c. High energy sprint execution.
d. Holding daily standups.
e. Driving elimination of all impediments to team progress.
f. Driving continuous team process improvement in every sprint.
g. Increasing team happiness with constant feedback and improved team execution.
h. Driving continuous increase in team velocity.
i. Maintaining project burn down charts and other associated Scrum metrics on every
sprint.
2. Lead designer/architect of automatic regression testing systems for both hardware and
software. Will design systems, hardware, and software to support test automation in
multiple environments (LabView, Visual Basic, and Jenkins).
3. Responsible for deriving Agile/Scrum plans from product requirements, to verify and validate
major new product initiatives.
4. Execute verification and validation plans, understand priorities and communicate with other
stake-holders effectively to adjust plans. The following validation environments/methodologies
will be led by the team:
a. High powered lab testing at system level.
b. Controls software testing automation (PIL/HIL).
c. Communications software testing automation (Jenkins, Cloud based).
d. HALT, ALT, Long duration testing.
e. Environmental testing: Shock, Vibration, Hot/Cold, Humidity, and gas contamination
exposure to the units under test.
f. EMI testing for FCC and other national certifications.
g. UL testing for inverters.
5. Set up infrastructure and equipment. Design new test rigs and lead the creation and
setup of test stands by leveraging existing assets with a cost efficient and practical
approach.
6. Provides ROI analysis to justify financial investment of test infrastructure build out.
7. Mentor/Coach to peers and team members on the subjects of test automation, Scrum
leadership and product validation methodologies.
8. Oversee detailed technical and safety training of team members.
9. Additional duties may be assigned, as business circumstances require.
REQUIREMENTS:
Skills/Knowledge/Abilities:
1. Hands on experience designing and deployment test automation systems for hardware and
software.
2. Agile/Scrum leadership; demonstrated professional application of Scrum to hardware/software
systems.
3. Hands-on experience in electronic circuit design in the following areas:
a. Basic electrical engineering experience to design simple circuits to condition signals and
be able to design test set ups with up to 1500VC input and connecting with up to 600
VAC to the grid.
b. CPU based systems, with significant digital circuitry such as communications, memory,
and I/O.
4. Hands on experience in software engineering practice including:
a. LabView and Visual Basic programming for test automation.
b. Real time embedded systems programming in C.
c. C/C++ programming in Linux Environment, with emphasis on Jenkins test automation.
d. Algorithm design experience as it relates to programming test equipment.
e. Advanced testing experience including unit test, functional test, system test,
white box testing, black box testing, boundary testing, stress testing, and
automated regression testing.
f. Embedded communications systems including TCP/IP, Ethernet, CAN, Modbus, and
wireless protocols.
5. Experience validating products in compliance based environment: UL, FCC, other international
certifications.
6. Ability to understand complex designs and failure modes with software/hardware interactions.
7. Significant understanding and work experience of test equipment like power analyzers, scopes,
data acquisition hardware and controls hardware used to automate testing.
8. Must have strong computer skills, ability to use design tools, system debuggers, programmers,
word, excel, power point, databases, web interfaces, etc.
9. Ability to get best results from the team, lead by example for technical and day to day
performance issues.
10. Keen attention to detail/Quality control skills.
11. A high level of initiative and a proactive nature, be able to anticipate problems,
12. Outstanding spoken and written communication skills, strong organizational and time
management skills. Fluency in English is essential.
13. Project management skills, project planning, schedule creation and maintenance, and project
execution.
14. Willingness to travel up to 10% of time domestically and internationally to support field
validation.
Education/Certification:
BSEE/BSCE and 4 years of professional experience OR
MSEE/MSCE and 2 years of professional experience
Certified Scrum Master