Embedded QA & Validation Engineer (IoT Hardware & Firmware)

Department: Engineering / Quality Assurance & R&D
Reports To: Line Manager
Employment Type: Full-time
Location: Onsite – Gulberg III, Lahore

SmartEnds is a technology-driven company focused on developing intelligent, scalable, and sustainable smart-city solutions using IoT, embedded hardware, and software technologies. Collaborating with global partners, we deliver innovative products that address real-world challenges.

We are seeking a hands-on Embedded QA & Validation Engineer to ensure the quality and reliability of our battery-powered IoT devices throughout their lifecycle—from prototype development to field deployment. This role involves hardware and firmware validation, connectivity testing, power profiling, debugging, test automation, and long-term stability assessments. The ideal candidate will independently manage testing environments, diagnose technical issues, and work closely with R&D teams to maintain high product standards.

Key Responsibilities
- Develop and execute detailed test plans covering functional, integration, regression, hardware, firmware, connectivity, power, and field testing.
- Validate IoT devices, PCBs, RF modules, and embedded firmware against product specifications.
- Perform connectivity testing for NB-IoT, LTE-M, LoRa, and GPS, including network registration, signal quality, reconnection, GPS accuracy, and modem performance.
- Manage SIM accounts, analyze SIM usage, connection events, modem logs, and AT command traces to troubleshoot connectivity issues.
- Measure and analyze power consumption across various operating states using tools such as Joulescope and DMM.
- Validate battery performance, rechargeable batteries, solar charging systems, camera modules, and LED indicators.
- Conduct long-term stability and soak testing, monitoring device performance, resets, and failure rates.
- Debug hardware and firmware issues using schematics, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and interfaces like I2C, UART, and SPI.
- Build and maintain test jigs, fixtures, firmware toolchains, flashing tools, and independent testing environments.
- Perform PCB troubleshooting and prototype rework, including fine-pitch component soldering.
- Develop Python scripts and tools for test automation, data extraction, and log analysis.
- Identify root causes of failures across hardware, firmware, SIM/network, and server-side systems.
- Reproduce field issues in the lab, document bugs with clear evidence, and coordinate with engineering teams to verify fixes.
- Validate end-to-end device-to-cloud communication, including APIs and webhooks where applicable.
- Manage remote testing activities independently, including international test sites, and monitor setups remotely.
- Prepare test reports, release sign-off documentation, and support certification and pre-production testing.
- Participate in daily scrum meetings, reporting progress, blockers, and critical issues while managing multiple testing activities.

Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
- Strong working knowledge of C programming and practical experience with Python scripting.
- Hands-on experience with embedded microcontrollers, especially Nordic nRF, STM32, and ESP32 platforms.
- Solid understanding of embedded firmware, peripherals, interrupts, and low-power operating modes.
- Experience with firmware flashing and debugging tools such as J-Link.
- Proficient with communication protocols including I2C, UART, and SPI.
- Practical experience testing IoT hardware, PCBs, RF modules, and finished products.
- Knowledge of NB-IoT, LTE-M, LoRa, GPS, SIM management, and modem log analysis.
- Ability to read schematics, troubleshoot PCB faults, and perform hardware rework including fine-pitch soldering.
- Hands-on experience with oscilloscopes, DMM, Joulescope, and other hardware testing equipment.
- Experience in power profiling, battery validation, solar charging, and building test setups or fixtures.
- Strong skills in test planning, documentation, debugging, and root-cause analysis.

Preferred Qualifications
- Understanding of cellular network behavior, including 3GPP standards, PSM/eDRX, network registration, and coverage enhancement.
- Experience with edge devices and camera-based IoT products.
- Exposure to R&D, product development, and field deployment processes.
- Basic knowledge of REST APIs, webhooks, cloud platforms, and tools such as Postman.
- Familiarity with Git and bug-tracking systems.

This is an excellent opportunity for candidates passionate about embedded systems and IoT device quality assurance to contribute to cutting-edge smart-city solutions in a dynamic and collaborative environment.