Manager – Software and Firmware Quality Engineering

Job Description:

 We are seeking a technical and forward-thinking Quality Engineering Manager to build and lead our Software and Firmware Quality Engineering team. This is a hands-on leadership role focused on establishing a strong quality engineering culture, expanding test automation, introducing AI-assisted testing, and developing structured validation and release processes.

The ideal candidate will go beyond traditional test management, leading a team that can test, troubleshoot, debug, automate, and, when appropriate, modify code and validate fixes in close partnership with Software and Firmware Development teams. This role will also drive greater automation, AI adoption, continuous validation, and more predictable releases. Extensive prior AI experience is not required, but a strong willingness and ability to quickly develop and apply AI capabilities within Quality Engineering is essential.

Key Responsibilities 

• Build, lead, mentor, and develop the Quality Engineering team. 
• Own the test and validation strategy for software, embedded firmware, and integrated systems. 
• Establish functional, integration, regression, system, reliability, and exploratory testing practices. 
• Develop a strong automation strategy and continuously reduce dependence on repetitive manual testing. 
• Integrate automated testing into CI/CD pipelines. 
• Build a QE team capable of troubleshooting failures, performing root-cause analysis, understanding source code, correcting issues when appropriate, and validating fixes. 
• Introduce and expand the use of AI within Quality Engineering to improve test generation, automation, log analysis, defect investigation, and engineering productivity. 
• Work with Development teams to validate software and firmware changes at the end of each sprint. 
• Transform the current ad hoc validation process into a structured and predictable release process. 
• Drive the organization toward a quarterly software and firmware release cadence. 
• Establish quality gates, release-readiness criteria, test coverage expectations, and meaningful quality metrics. 
• Present quality results, risks, defects, and release readiness to Engineering leadership. 
• Foster a culture where Development and QE share responsibility for product quality. 

Required Qualifications 

• 7+ years of experience in Software Engineering, Firmware Engineering, Quality Engineering, Test Engineering, or related fields. 
• 2+ years of technical leadership or engineering management experience. 
• Strong experience with software and/or embedded firmware testing. 
• Hands-on experience developing and implementing test automation. 
• Programming or scripting experience with Python, C/C++, Java, JavaScript/TypeScript, C#, or similar languages. 
• Strong debugging, troubleshooting, and root-cause analysis skills. 
• Experience with Git, CI/CD pipelines, and modern software development practices. 
• Experience establishing structured testing, validation, and release processes. 
• Strong leadership and team-development skills. 
• Advanced English communication skills. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience testing embedded Linux, IoT, industrial, or connected-device products. 
• Experience with hardware/software/firmware integration testing. 
• Experience with automated systems, reliability, stress, or hardware-in-the-loop testing. 
• Experience applying AI/LLMs to software development or Quality Engineering. 
• Experience building or transforming a Quality Engineering organization. 
• Experience with Azure DevOps, Jira, Git, and CI/CD platforms. 
• Experience in the energy or renewable-energy industry. 

At Nextpower, we are driving the global energy transition with an integrated clean energy technology platform that combines intelligent structural, electrical, and digital solutions for utility-scale power plants. Our comprehensive portfolio enables faster project delivery, higher performance, and greater reliability, helping our customers capture the full value of solar power. Our talented worldwide teams are redefining how solar power plants are designed, built, and operated every day with smart technology, data-driven insights, and advanced automation. Together, we’re building the foundation for the world’s next generation of clean energy infrastructure.

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