Test Engineer

About Shift5

Shift5 is the observability platform for onboard operational technology (OT). We’re a rapidly growing scale-up that specializes in cybersecurity, predictive maintenance, and compliance for OT systems across defense, aerospace, and rail. We are a collaborative, passionate, and driven cadre of dynamic, multidisciplinary experts focused on helping our customers’ fleets run smarter and safer by accessing and democratizing the volumes of onboard OT data generated by transportation, freight fleets, defense fleets, and other critical infrastructure. Come join us.

Shift5 is seeking a Test Engineer to join our growing team. In this role, you will be involved in all aspects of qualifying our embedded products (hardware/software), driving production test automation, and supporting the integration of hardware, firmware, and software in our Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) environment. This position requires hands-on experience with hardware setup and connectivity, the ability to build test fixtures, create software test tools, and apply a strong understanding of hardware/software QA processes and automated test execution.

You will be responsible for the setup, automation, and execution of tests across third-party qualification labs, internal manufacturing production areas, and HIL / system test environments. This includes developing and maintaining robust test procedures for production hardware and software, managing version control for qualification and production test code, and collaborating with cross-functional engineering teams to ensure complete test coverage, product quality, and high reliability.

This position is based out of our headquarters in Rosslyn, VA and requires up to 20% travel to support hardware qualification testing at 3rd party labs and on-site customer integration testing.

What You'll Do

• Production Test Automation & Execution: Design, develop, and deploy automated test scripts and software frameworks for production testing, end-of-line verification, environmental-stress screening, and acceptance testing. Troubleshoot and debug failures during production testing, collaborating with hardware, firmware, and production teams to isolate root causes. Develop, validate, maintain, and version-control test software, automated test procedures, and production test fixtures.

• Environmental Qualification & Compliance: Design, execute, and oversee comprehensive test plans for hardware environmental qualification and compliance standards (e.g., MIL-STD, DO-160, IPC). Manage test setup, connectivity, execution, and data collection within internal test environments and at third-party qualification test laboratories. Develop and maintain detailed technical documentation, including Test Plans, Test Procedures, Test Reports, and Verification & Validation (V&V) artifacts.

• Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) & System Design Verification: Assist in operating and maintaining the HIL lab, including configuration, cabling design, and hardware integration of test benches, test fixtures, and instrumentation. Collaborate with design engineers to perform Design Verification Testing (DVT), regression testing, and low-level system integration across embedded hardware, firmware, and software interfaces. Continuously improve test environments, methodologies, and automated coverage.

What Success Looks Like

• End-to-End Hardware Qualification: You seamlessly execute and document qualification testing internally and at third-party labs, ensuring products meet stringent compliance standards (MIL-STD, DO-160) and airworthiness expectations.

• Robust Test Automation: You build and scale version-controlled automated test frameworks and production fixtures that accelerate testing velocity while maintaining high coverage and defect detection.

• HIL Lab Mastery: You keep the HIL lab operational, well-configured, and tightly integrated across embedded hardware, firmware, and Linux software interfaces to catch integration issues early.

• Cross-Functional Reliability Partner: You work effectively with hardware, firmware, and production teams to isolate root causes rapidly, turning complex failure data into actionable product improvements.

What We’re Looking For

Required:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.

• Experience: 3+ years of experience in hardware qualification testing, HIL testing, or test automation.

• QA & Test Automation: Strong understanding of hardware/software QA processes, test automation frameworks, and scripting languages (e.g., Python, LabVIEW, MATLAB/Simulink).

• Hardware & Lab Hands-On Experience: Direct experience setting up and connecting hardware components, test fixtures, measurement equipment, and diagnostic tools (oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, logic analyzers, DAQs).

• Embedded Systems & Firmware: Familiarity with Linux operating systems, embedded software debugging, firmware concepts (HDL), and embedded Linux devices.

• Security & Clearance: Ability to obtain a US Government security clearance (Active Security Clearance preferred).

• Soft Skills: Self-motivated with strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills; passionate about driving technical and procedural impact in a small team environment.

Preferred:

• Communication Protocols: Knowledge of protocols such as CAN, Ethernet, SPI, I2C, and UART.

• Standards & Compliance: Knowledge of MIL-STD, DO-160, and IPC standards.

• Quality & Manufacturing: Understanding of manufacturing/production processes and quality frameworks such as AS9100 or ISO 9001.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base Salary: $110,000 - $140,000

• Bonus program and equity in a fast-growing startup

• Competitive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their families

• Health Savings Account with annual employer contributions

• Employer-paid Life and Disability Insurance 

• Uncapped paid time off policy

• Flexible work & remote work policy

• Tax-deferred public transit benefits with Metro SmartBenefits (DC/MD/VA)

We are committed to building an inclusive culture of belonging that embraces the diversity of our people and represents the communities in which we work and the customers we serve. We know the happiest and highest performing teams include people with diverse perspectives and ways of solving problems. We strive to attract and retain talent from all backgrounds and create workplaces where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work. 

Shift5 is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, disability, age, marital status, ancestry, projected veteran status, or any other protected group or class.