Automation Specialist

To develop, validate, deploy, and maintain automated functional test software and integrated test systems for electronic products. The Automation Specialist bridges business operations and software execution by developing scripts, optimizing automated solutions, and translating operational needs and product requirements into reliable and efficient test sequences. This role diagnoses product and tester failures, enhances test coverage, improves production yield, and drives continuous process improvements while supporting engineering and manufacturing operations. The ideal candidate combines software development, electronics troubleshooting, networking knowledge, coding, test validation, automation optimization, and hands-on production support.

Test System Life Cycle Management

The Automation Specialist supports the full life cycle of automated test systems and software solutions, from requirements gathering and design through development, scripting, integration, validation, deployment, and continuous improvement. The role bridges business operations and technical execution by developing reliable automation solutions that improve efficiency, accuracy, and system performance. Responsibilities include optimizing test processes, maintaining data integrity, minimizing false failures, and ensuring consistent, repeatable results that meet production, quality, business, and customer requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Essential Functions:Develop, debug, and maintain automated functional test programs and scripts for electronic products and production test systems.

• Translate product specifications and engineering requirements into test sequences, test cases, acceptance limits, and pass/fail criteria.
• Integrate test software with electronic devices, test fixtures, instruments, scanners, databases, label printers, and production systems as required.
• Troubleshoot test failures at the product, software, hardware, fixture, communication, and network levels to distinguish device failures from tester-related failures.
• Perform root cause analysis, document findings and corrective actions, and verify solutions through repeatable functional testing.
• Develop and maintain software functions for device communication, command execution, response checking, timeouts, error handling, and recovery.
• Support test-system bring-up, integration, calibration, validation, qualification, and release to production.
• Respond to production-impacting test-system issues and restore test capability while protecting product quality and data integrity.
• Develop and improve test coverage, test efficiency, station reliability, and automated recovery without compromising acceptance criteria.
• Provide input to risk assessments and identify software, hardware, process, and reliability risks that could affect production operations.
• Provide technical guidance to Engineering Technicians, Test Technicians, and cross-functional engineering teams on test-system issues.
• Create and maintain reusable code, test libraries, configuration files, approved limit files, and version-controlled test releases.
• Support regression testing and ensure software or configuration changes do not introduce unintended test behavior.
• Serve as a technical escalation point for complex test software, communication, and integration issues.
• Promote consistent development practices, code review, test documentation, ESD practices, and quality standards.
• Take ownership of test-development problems from requirements review through implementation, validation, and production support.
• Evaluate build-versus-buy options and recommend practical solutions that improve test capability, maintainability, and cost efficiency.

Automated Test System Development – Broadband / Gateways

The Automation Specialist / Analyst will develop, integrate, validate, and maintain automated functional testing on ATSG systems for gateway models, including current platforms and future product introductions.

• Ethernet testing: Develop and maintain automated tests for Ethernet port operation(Byteblower), link establishment and negotiation, supported link rates, data transmission, packet integrity, and communication reliability across applicable gateway interfaces.
• Fiber-optic testing / OLT: Configure, control, integrate, and troubleshoot Nokia Optical Line Terminal (OLT) equipment or equivalent OLT systems. Develop automated tests for applicable PON/optical interfaces, including gateway discovery/registration, optical link establishment, signal diagnostics available from the equipment, and data connectivity.
• Wi-Fi testing / RF (e.g. Anritsu): Develop automated wireless functional and RF test sequences using Anritsu MT8000-series equipment where applicable, Anritsu MT8862A WLAN test equipment, or comparable test instruments. Configure and remotely control the selected tester to validate supported Wi-Fi bands and standards, SSID association, connectivity, transmit/receive performance, signal-level metrics, and stability according to the gateway specification.
• Test automation and instrument control: Build and maintain software interfaces, APIs, and communication protocols for OLTs, RF instruments, Ethernet switches, device interfaces, and supporting test fixtures.
• Multi-model ATSG support: Maintain model-specific configurations, scripts, firmware dependencies, limits, and pass/fail criteria so a shared ATSG platform can test the various gateway models.
• Validation and production support: Qualify test accuracy and repeatability, differentiate gateway defects from tester faults, analyze false failures, document troubleshooting procedures, and support deployment, recovery, and ongoing improvements.

Additional Technical Requirements

• Hands-on ability to configure and troubleshoot Nokia OLT equipment and its management interfaces for automated fiber testing.
• Ability to integrate and programmatically control Anritsu wireless/RF test equipment (including MT8000-series where relevant, MT8862A, or equivalent devices) for automated gateway Wi-Fi testing.
• Knowledge of Ethernet networking, fiber/PON communications, wireless networking, and automated production test software.

Secondary Functions:

• Troubleshoot network-connected products and equipment using Ping, IP configuration utilities, SSH, Telnet, and product-specific diagnostic tools.
• Develop or maintain test interfaces using applicable protocols and tools, such as TCP/IP, HTTP/HTTPS, serial communication, USB, UART, or APIs.
• Document test architecture, software behavior, failure symptoms, root-cause findings, corrective actions, and validation results.
• Maintain accurate test logs, parametric data, software revisions, limit-file revisions, equipment configuration, and qualification records.
• Follow engineering, quality, ESD, safety, cybersecurity, and production procedures.
• Develop and improve test procedures, work instructions, troubleshooting guides, test specifications, and technical documentation.
• Analyze recurring failures, false failures, first-pass yield, test time, and station performance; recommend data-driven improvements.
• Ensure test programs and equipment are validated against approved requirements before production release or return to service.
• Prepare engineering change documentation, qualification reports, status updates, and other technical records as required.

Position type

• Full time

Job Qualifications

Education/Certifications:

• Accredited college degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Mechatronics, or equivalent relevant experience.

Training:

• On-the-job training, technical training, and continued development in test automation, software tools, and product technologies.

Experience:

• 3+ years of experience in functional test development, test automation, software development, electronics testing, or a related engineering/manufacturing environment.
• Experience developing, debugging, and maintaining automated test software or scripts.
• Experience integrating software with electronic products, test equipment, fixtures, and production systems.
• Experience troubleshooting hardware, software, communication, and network-related test failures.
• Experience supporting high-volume manufacturing, production launches, or automated test stations.
• Experience performing root cause analysis, corrective actions, regression testing, and test validation.
• Experience creating and updating test specifications, work instructions, test procedures, and technical documentation.
• Experience with test-system integration, validation, qualification, and release prior to production use.
• Experience with version control, configuration management, test data collection, and controlled software releases.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Strong programming skills in Python, C#, C/C++, or a comparable language used by the engineering team.
• Ability to develop maintainable automated test sequences with clear pass/fail logic, logging, timeouts, exception handling, and recovery behavior.
• Understanding of functional test design, requirements traceability, test coverage, acceptance limits, and test data integrity.
• Ability to read and interpret product specifications, electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, fixture drawings, interface documentation, and software logs.
• Strong troubleshooting skills involving electronic hardware, computer-controlled test equipment, fixtures, Ethernet, and other communication interfaces.
• Knowledge of networking fundamentals, including Ethernet link speed, TCP/IP, DHCP, DNS, HTTP/HTTPS, and Wi-Fi as applicable to the products being tested.
• Ability to analyze test logs and parametric data, identify trends, investigate false failures, and improve first-pass yield and station performance.
• Ability to use Git or equivalent version control and maintain revision-controlled test code, configuration files, and limit files.
• Microsoft Word and Excel required; experience with data analysis tools, Visual Studio, VS Code, SQL, or automated test frameworks is a plus.

Preferred Skills and Qualifications:

• Python-based test automation and reusable test libraries
• Networking, Wi-Fi, RF, and telecom gateway testing
• Data analysis, log parsing, and automated reporting
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Self-directed, collaborative, and motivated to improve test quality and production performance

Preferred Experience:

• Experience supporting engineering, manufacturing, and customer-facing technical teams.
• Experience with telecom OEM products, gateways, routers, or connected electronic devices.
• Experience developing automated tests for high-volume electronics production or repair lines.
• Experience with robotic handling, automated fixtures, or multi-station test systems.
• Experience with firmware validation, production test qualification, first-pass-yield analysis, and test-system reliability improvement.

Physical Requirements: N/A

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical and Dependent Care)
• 401(k) Plan with Company Match
• Generous Paid Time Off
• 10.5 Paid Holidays
• Career Development Opportunities