Automation Test Lead

Job Description: Senior Embedded Automation Testing Lead (Python, MBD, Motor Control)

Position: Senior Embedded Automation Testing Lead

Experience: 10+ years

Core Skills: Embedded Automation Testing, Python, Model-Based Design (MATLAB/Simulink), Motor Control (BLDC/PMSM/ACIM/FOC)

Location: — (customizable)

Employment Type: Full-time

Role Summary

We are looking for a seasoned Senior Embedded Automation Testing Lead to drive automated validation of motor control firmware and embedded platforms. The role blends hands-on test automation in Python, Model-Based Design (MBD) verification, and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL)/bench testing for motor control applications (BLDC/PMSM/ACIM/DC). You will define the test strategy, build automation frameworks, guide a small team, and ensure robust, safety-aware releases.

Key Responsibilities

Test Strategy & Leadership

- Own the end-to-end test strategy across unit, integration, system, and regression levels for embedded motor control software. - Define and maintain automation-first validation roadmap (coverage goals, KPI dashboards, CI triggers, nightly runs). - Lead a team of test engineers; coach on Python automation, MBD workflows, HIL best practices, and safe lab operations. - Collaborate with Firmware, Control, Hardware, and Systems teams to align on requirements, interfaces, and DoD/DoR.

Automation Framework & CI/CD

- Architect and maintain a Python-based test automation framework (pytest/Robot Framework) for target boards and HIL rigs. - Integrate automated tests into CI/CD pipelines (Azure DevOps, Jenkins, GitLab CI) with hardware resource scheduling and artifacts (logs, waveforms, reports). - Implement mocking/stubs, hardware abstraction layers (HAL), and test adapters for peripherals (PWM, ADC, timers, comms). - Automate data acquisition and analysis from oscilloscopes, power analyzers, CAN/UART, and encoders; auto-generate reports.

Model-Based Design (MBD) Verification

- Collaborate with control engineers on MATLAB/Simulink models for PMSM/BLDC/ACIM, observers (SMO, EKF), and FOC. - Establish model-in-the-loop (MIL), software-in-the-loop (SIL), and processor-in-the-loop (PIL) verification with golden references. - Validate code-generated firmware (Embedded Coder/Target Support Package) against model requirements and traceability.

Motor Control Domain Testing

- Plan and execute automated tests for: - Field Oriented Control (FOC), speed/torque loops, current controllers (PI tuning), anti-windup, and decoupling. - Startup/transition strategies (open-loop to closed-loop, six-step to FOC), field-weakening, regeneration. - Protection and diagnostics: overcurrent/overvoltage/overtemp, stall detection, short-circuit, sensor faults. - Feedback devices: Hall sensors, incremental encoders, resolvers, sensorless estimators. - Conduct tests on bench and HIL: load profiles, step responses, thermal drift, long-run stability, EMI/EMC pre-checks (as applicable).

Defect Management & Reporting

- Drive root-cause-friendly defect reporting with time-aligned traces (PWM, ADC, phase currents), waveforms, and configurations. - Maintain requirements traceability matrices, test coverage metrics, and release qualification reports. - Champion continuous improvement of test coverage, flakiness reduction, and cycle-time.

Required Qualifications

- Bachelor’s/Master’s in Electrical/Electronics/Instrumentation/Embedded Systems or equivalent. - 8–14+ years in embedded testing with 3+ years leading automation initiatives. - Strong hands-on Python for embedded test automation: pytest/Robot Framework, test harnesses, instrument control (e.g., PyVISA/SCPI), data analysis (NumPy/Pandas), plotting (Matplotlib/Plotly). - Solid MBD experience: MATLAB/Simulink, Simulink Test, Embedded Coder, MIL/SIL/PIL workflows. - Proven testing exposure to motor control: BLDC/PMSM/ACIM/DC, FOC, PWM generation, current/voltage sensing, motor drivers/inverters. - Experience with HIL (dSPACE, Speedgoat, OPAL-RT) or custom rigs; encoder/Hall simulation; power stage interlocks. - MCU/SoC platforms: TI C2000, ST STM32, NXP, Renesas, Infineon, Microchip (JTAG/SWD, flashing, profiling). - Protocols/tools: CAN/CANopen, UART, SPI, I2C, EtherCAT (nice-to-have), logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, power analyzers. - CI/CD and ALM: Azure DevOps/Jira, Jenkins/GitLab CI, Git, code reviews, branching strategies. - Excellent communication, documentation, and stakeholder alignment skills.

Good-to-Have

- Scripting for lab orchestration: Bash/PowerShell, Docker for tool encapsulation. - Safety & compliance familiarity depending on sector: ISO 26262 (Automotive), IEC 60730 (Appliances), IEC 61800 (Drives), ASIL concepts. - MATLAB/Simulink test automation APIs, Requirements Toolbox, coverage metrics. - Basic control theory: root locus, Bode/nyquist, stability margins; system ID for plant modeling. - Exposure to EMI/EMC pre-compliance testing, thermal derating use-cases. - Data pipelines/visualization dashboards for long-duration tests.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

- Automated test coverage (% functional & requirements coverage). - Reduction in escaped defects and mean time to detect (MTTD). - CI pipeline stability and flaky test rate. - Average test cycle time for release candidates and time-to-qualify. - % of regression suites executed on HIL vs. bench per release. - Defect detection rate in early development phases (MIL/SIL/PIL).

Tools & Tech Stack (Customizable)

- Automation: Python (pytest, Robot Framework), PyVISA, PySerial, Pandas, NumPy, Matplotlib/Plotly. - MBD: MATLAB/Simulink, Simulink Test, Embedded Coder, Stateflow. - HIL/Bench: dSPACE/ControlDesk, OPAL-RT, Speedgoat, custom rigs; NI DAQ; encoders/Hall simulators. - CI/CD & ALM: Git, Jenkins/GitLab CI/Azure DevOps, Jira, TestRail, Allure for reporting. - Instruments: Digital scope, logic analyzer, power analyzer, current probes, thermal camera. - MCU Toolchains: CCS (TI), STM32CubeIDE/IAR/Keil, NXP MCUXpresso, Renesas e² studio, Infineon DAVE/ModusToolbox.

Sample Responsibilities by Domain (Pick as needed)

Automotive EV/Traction

- Validate inverter control, torque request handling over CAN, resolver/encoder diagnostics, DC-link monitoring, derating strategies. - ISO 26262-aware test cases, HARA/ASIL alignment, fault injection (sensor loss, phase short, limp-home).

Industrial Drives & Automation

- Test V/f, FOC, field-weakening under varying load inertia; IEC 61800 aspects; Safe Torque Off (STO) interplay (where applicable).

Appliances/Consumer

- Low-noise control modes, energy efficiency, thermal protections, startup in constrained power environments (brown-out, inrush).

Interview Focus Areas (Optional Section)

- Python automation design (fixtures, parametrization, instrument drivers). - MBD verification strategy (MIL→SIL→PIL, golden vectors, tolerances). - Motor control fundamentals (FOC math, PI tuning, observer stability). - Debugging scenarios (oscilloscope evidence, aliasing, PWM jitter, ISR latency). - CI pipeline design for hardware farms (resource locking, retries, artifacting).

Template: Job Posting Blurb (Short Version)

We’re hiring a Senior Embedded Automation Testing Lead to build and scale Python-driven automated validation for motor control firmware. You’ll lead a small team, integrate tests in CI/CD, and verify MBD-generated control code across MIL/SIL/PIL and HIL/bench setups. Must have strong Python, MATLAB/Simulink, and hands-on motor control testing (FOC, protections, sensors). Experience with TI C2000/STM32, CAN, and lab instruments required.