Hardware Validation Systems Developer
Heron Power· startup· Sep 25, 2026 · 1mo ago
Scotts Valley
In office
Full-time
Mid
$130K–$189K
Job description
WHAT TO EXPECT
Heron Power is a startup company building cutting-edge power electronics for the 21st-century grid. We aim to de-bottleneck the growth of electricity generation and consumption with scalable, innovative, and less costly hardware solutions, accelerating the electrification of everything.
Our first goal is to build better converters (inverters & rectifiers) to connect large-scale renewables, storage, and loads to the grid. Heron’s leadership team is made up of seasoned veterans who have designed and shipped gigawatts of power conversion products over the past decade.
We understand that no one individual knows everything. We will all learn a lot together and from each other. We strive to build a collaborative, enriching environment conducive to personal, technical, and career growth. You can expect to work in a dynamic environment, driven by first principles engineering, solving difficult problems—with a strong bias toward hands-on execution and learning by doing.
JOB OVERVIEW
High-reliability products are built on high-quality test infrastructure.
As the Hardware Validation Systems Developer, you will build the automated hardware test infrastructure that allows us to validate and ship at scale—from PCBA-level functional circuit testing through subsystem validation, end-of-line system testing and all the way to test systems developed for high volume manufacturing of low-voltage electronics and high-power converter assemblies.
You will architect and deliver complete automated test cells that integrate power hardware, instrumentation, control software, and data pipelines into reliable, repeatable production and engineering tools.
This role owns the lifecycle loop from:
test requirements → coverage strategy → test architecture → fixture/bench design → automation software → deployment → sustainment → regression and continuous improvement.
If you like turning “we need a test” into a working system that engineering and manufacturing can depend on, this role will feel like home.
HOW YOU WILL CONTRIBUTE
Test Strategy & Architecture (PCBA → System → EOL)
- Define functional test coverage for PCBAs, subsystems, and full systems.
- Architect test solutions balancing coverage, cycle time, cost, and maintainability.
- Partner with design engineering to drive Design-for-Test (DFT): test points, boundary scan, firmware testing , and observability.
- Define regression strategy to prevent re-learning the same lessons across builds and firmware releases.
- Establish pass/fail criteria grounded in real system performance and reliability goals.
High-Power / High-Voltage Bi-Directional Converter Testers
- Design and deliver automated bi-directional converter testers for AC/DC and DC/DC systems capable of source and sink operation.
- Architect high-power test cells including bidirectional AC/DC sources, regenerative loads, grid simulators (as needed), HV measurement chains, contactors and protection systems, interlocks and safe operating procedures, grounding strategy.
- Implement automated test sequences for power cycling, efficiency mapping, transient response, fault injection, protection validation.
- Ensure high-voltage testing is safe, repeatable, and production-ready.
Test Hardware & Fixture Development
- Design and build PCBA functional fixtures (bed-of-nails, pogo, interface boards), harness and connector validation fixtures, subsystem and system-level interface racks, and fault-injection rigs.
- Specify and integrate instrumentation including power supplies, electronic loads, DAQs, DMMs, oscilloscopes, power analyzers, CAN/Ethernet/RS-485 tools, and sensors.
- Deliver stations that are robust, safe, maintainable, and scalable.
Debug, Yield & Continuous Improvement
- Drive rapid debug loops when tests fail.
- Improve test observability and diagnostic resolution.
- Own station version control, calibration, uptime, and software releases.
- Partner with manufacturing to improve yield, reduce escapes, and accelerate learning loops.
- Close the loop with design and reliability teams.
What Makes This Role Different
- You will build the automated tester capability from the ground up.
- Real breadth: PCBA functional → engineering validation → high-power HIL → end-of-line testing → production.
- Direct ownership of high-voltage, high-energy automated test systems.
- High agency and high slope — the testers you build directly determine how fast we can iterate and ship.
WHAT YOU WILL BRING
We prioritize first-principles thinking, practical skill, ownership, and a proactive mindset. We care as much (or more) about how you work as what you already know.
We calibrate seniority based on demonstrated results, depth, and ownership — not keywords.
MUST-HAVE REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechatronics, or equivalent practical experience.
- Experience in designing and delivering automated test setups for high-voltage / high-power systems.
- Strong fundamentals in circuits and instrumentation.
- Hands-on experience with scopes, DMMs, power supplies, electronic loads, DAQs, and digital interfaces (CAN, Ethernet, SPI, I2C, UART).
- Demonstrated ownership of a test system from concept through deployment and sustainment.
- Ability to work cross-functionally and drive issues to closure.
NICE-TO-HAVES
- Experience with bi-directional AC/DC or DC/DC power sources and regenerative loads.
- Experience with HIL development or embedded firmware validation infrastructure.
- Experience with PCBA manufacturing functional test and yield improvement.
- Familiarity with production traceability systems and calibration discipline.
- Experience developing test systems for medium-voltage or high-power converter products.
If you are passionate about technology and enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, we would love to hear from you. Join us in accelerating the electrification of everything at Heron Power. Heron Power provides competitive compensation (salary and equity) and benefits. The salary for this role ranges from $130,000 to $189,000 per year.
Application prep
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- Platform
- ashby
- Effort
- quick