Hardware Test Engineer

• Build test systems that engineers rely on. Design and maintain test benches for Hub, power electronics, and integrated solar systems.
• Automate repetitive validation work. Develop automated test scripts, fixtures, instrumentation interfaces, and data collection systems.
• Measure what matters. Characterize electrical performance, efficiency, communications, thermal behavior, and protection functions.
• Find the edge cases early. Run functional, environmental, stress, and firmware/hardware regression testing.
• Make failures reproducible. Build hardware-in-the-loop or other automated system validation where useful.
• Turn measurements into answers. Analyze data, reproduce failures, isolate root causes, and partner with engineers on fixes.
• Work across hardware and firmware. Write repeatable test plans, acceptance criteria, procedures, and concise reports.
• Bring validation into production. Support certification testing, outdoor trials, and end-of-line manufacturing test.

• You have tested real hardware. 3+ years of hands-on hardware test, validation, or electrical engineering experience.
• You know how to measure electrical systems. Strong electrical fundamentals and ability to read schematics and debug circuits.
• You can write useful test automation. Experience with oscilloscopes, power analyzers, electronic loads, DAQs, and bench instrumentation.
• You are comfortable with lab equipment. Python proficiency for automation, analysis, and instrument control.
• You can debug across disciplines. Experience building test fixtures and repeatable validation processes.
• You know how to build repeatable tests. Ability to distinguish hardware, firmware, communications, and system-level failure modes.
• You own problems through resolution. Strong experimental rigor, documentation, and ownership.

Preferred skills

• Experience with DC-DC converters, solar, batteries, or embedded controllers.
• Familiarity with environmental chambers and accelerated reliability testing.
• Experience with SCPI, LabVIEW, CAN, UART, SPI, or similar interfaces.
• Experience building production test equipment and dashboards.

Additional requirements

• Willingness to work extended hours as needed to support critical milestones
• Everyone at Optivolt is required to participate in on call support for customers
• Must be based in San Francisco, CA

The estimated starting base salary range for this role is $150K-210K depending on level, location and experience, plus a generous pre-IPO equity package

Other benefits include comprehensive health coverage, unlimited PTO, plus extra fun perks!

Optivolt is a team of some of the best builders and doers in the world, drawing from incredible talent pools in aerospace, electrical engineering, design-led organizations. We ultimately will win by designing and building the world’s best solar energy products.

But chiefly important, our organization is a lab for those devoted to solving some of the toughest problems in energy. Everyone is expected to contribute to the mission meaningfully. Clear communication, rapid iteration, and strong work ethic is the floor for anyone on our team.

To date we’ve shipped over 20,000 units and have companies worth billions of dollars relying on our solar architecture.