Hardware Test Engineer

About Hexmodal

Hexmodal builds smart devices and a simple software platform that help facilities teams automate routine compliance testing, monitoring, and documentation. Our technology helps teams spend less time on manual rounds and more time on the maintenance work that keeps buildings operating safely. Today, Hexmodal supports more than 180 health systems across 48 states.

The Role (also the Mission)

We are looking for a Hardware Test Engineer to help us validate, qualify, and manufacture our connected compliance devices. You will work across the full test lifecycle — from bench-level characterization of new hardware, through building the automated test equipment (ATE) and fixtures used on our production lines, to writing the test software that keeps our contract manufacturers running smoothly, to building the canary fleets and reliability programs that catch issues in the field before our customers do. You will also own our RMA process end to end — when a device comes back from the field, you're the one who owns getting it diagnosed, root-caused, and closed out with a real corrective action. You put reliability and customer trust first, and you use data, not gut feel, to know when a product is truly ready. This role reports to the Head of Hardware Engineering and is based on-site at our NYC HQ.

Here are some ways you'll make an impact (also Outcomes of the role)

• Develop and execute test plans for new hardware builds, including bring-up, functional characterization, environmental testing, and qualification of PCBAs and finished devices.

• Design, build, and maintain automated test equipment (ATE) and custom test fixtures used in production and incoming inspection.

• Own the end-to-end RMA process for defective devices returned from the field — intake, triage, diagnostic testing, and disposition of every unit that comes back from a customer site.

• Write and maintain test automation software and scripts (e.g., Python) to drive test stations, collect data, and generate pass/fail reporting.

• Partner with electrical, mechanical, and firmware engineers during design reviews to influence design-for-test (DFT) and design-for-manufacturing (DFM).

• Analyze test and field-failure data to identify trends, drive root-cause analysis, and lead corrective actions with cross-functional teams.

• Support new product introduction (NPI), transferring test procedures and fixtures from engineering to our contract manufacturers.

• Troubleshoot production test failures on the line, working directly with contract manufacturing partners to resolve issues quickly.

• Design and build "canary" device fleets that continuously exercise our hardware, firmware, and connectivity stack under real and simulated field conditions — power cycling, network dropout, temperature/humidity swings, RF interference, and other edge cases our products see in the field.

• Own reliability testing for new and existing products, including accelerated life testing (ALT), HALT/HASS, and environmental stress screening, and translate results into design changes that close out failure modes.

• Coordinate with external certification and test labs (e.g., UL, FCC, NFPA, environmental/reliability testing) — scoping test plans, shipping units, reviewing lab reports, and driving required design changes to closure.

• Lead root cause analysis on field failures and RMAs, and drive corrective and preventive action (CAPA) with hardware, firmware, and manufacturing teams to close the loop so issues don't repeat.

• Track and report on RMA volume, failure modes, and time-to-resolution, and use that data to prioritize what gets fixed in the next design or production revision.

• Maintain clear, up-to-date test documentation, procedures, and calibration records for lab and production equipment.

Competencies we are looking for in the right candidate:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent hands-on experience.

• 3–5+ years of experience in hardware test, validation, or manufacturing test engineering for electronic products.

• Hands-on experience with lab and bench equipment: oscilloscopes, DMMs, logic analyzers, power supplies, environmental chambers, and similar.

• Experience designing or supporting ATE, test fixtures, or bed-of-nails / functional test setups for production environments.

• Proficiency with a scripting or programming language (Python, LabVIEW, or similar) for test automation and data logging.

• Solid understanding of electronics fundamentals, embedded systems, and common communication protocols (e.g., UART, SPI, I2C, BLE/Wi-Fi).

• Strong troubleshooting and root-cause analysis skills, with the ability to work methodically from symptom to fix.

• Comfortable working directly with contract manufacturers and cross-functional engineering teams to resolve issues under time pressure.

• Working knowledge of reliability engineering concepts (e.g., MTBF/MTTF, failure rate curves, Weibull analysis) and interest in growing our accelerated life testing and field-reliability programs.

• Experience owning or building an RMA / field-return process, including failure diagnosis, root cause analysis, and corrective and preventive action (CAPA).

• Clear, structured communicator, comfortable presenting technical findings to both engineers and leadership.

• A growth mindset and flexibility; comfortable working through ambiguity on a small, fast-moving team.

Bonus Points: (Some nice to haves for this role)

• Experience testing connected/IoT devices or wireless sensor products.

• Familiarity with regulatory or safety compliance testing (UL, FCC, NFPA, or similar).

• Experience in healthcare, life-safety, or other highly regulated product industries.

• Exposure to statistical process control (SPC) and data-driven yield improvement.

• Experience running or designing accelerated life testing (ALT), HALT/HASS, or other reliability programs.

• Experience building "canary" or fleet-monitoring systems that continuously validate hardware/firmware in the field or in simulated field conditions.

• Experience managing relationships and test programs with external certification or reliability test labs.

Compensation & Benefits
We offer competitive compensation along with meaningful equity so you share in the value you help create.

Our benefits include:

• 401(k) match

• 100% coverage of medical, dental, and vision premiums for you and 80% coverage for dependents

• Paid parental leave (for all parents)

• Unlimited PTO

Why Hexmodal

At Hexmodal, you’ll work on real problems with real-world constraints and have meaningful ownership over the results. We’re a growing team that values simplicity, accountability, curiosity, and respect for the facilities professionals we serve.

If you’re excited to build practical technology that makes an important job easier, we’d like to hear from you.

How to apply

Click the link below to apply.

We reserve the right to make use of any unsolicited resumes received from outside recruiting agencies and / or individual recruiters without being responsible for payment of any fees asserted from the use of unsolicited resumes.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, and without regard to disability or status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by law.