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.
• 814+ 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 e 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 (MILSILPIL, 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.