HW QA Engineer

Test & Validation Engineer Cardiff (site-based) 6 months initially (with strong likelihood of extension beyond 12 months) Role Overview An opportunity has arisen for a practical, hands-on Test & Validation Engineer to contribute to the verification and validation of a newly developed combined hardware and software solution. You will operate as part of a small, dedicated team tasked with building and delivering comprehensive quality assurance activities across the full product lifecycle. The role focuses on a top-down, user-centric testing approach, blending exploratory testing, full-system validation, and some level of automation to uncover issues that may occur in real-world usage before release. Core Responsibilities Carry out full system-level testing covering hardware components, software, and user interaction points Detect, document, and monitor defects and usability concerns from an end-user perspective Create, maintain, and execute test documentation, including plans, scenarios, and cases Undertake hands-on testing, including exploratory and black-box techniques Assist with automation efforts, such as scripting or simple hardware-assisted testing setups Configure and manage test labs and environments across different platforms Diagnose faults and collaborate with engineering teams to resolve issues Assemble and modify test setups, including basic hardware adjustments where needed Conduct regression testing to ensure stability ahead of releases Essential Experience Academic or practical background in electronics, electrical engineering, or similar discipline Proven exposure to system or product-level testing/validation A genuine interest in fault-finding and pushing products to failure points Confidence working across both physical devices and software interfaces Familiarity with scripting languages (e.g. Python) or entry-level automation tools Understanding of typical test environments, including operating systems and web-based interfaces Ability to manage workload independently with minimal direction Additional / Beneficial Skills Knowledge of automation frameworks or microcontroller-based testing Basic understanding of networked systems (IP connectivity) Experience working within Agile or Lean delivery models Practical lab skills such as soldering or basic hardware modification Key Attributes Naturally curious with a problem-solving mindset Detail-oriented, with a strong focus on end-user experience and quality Comfortable working in a fast-paced, self-managed team environment Clear and confident communicator, able to explain technical issues effectively