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