Sr Principal Software Test Engineer - Embedded Systems, Product Cybersec (VSE)

As a Sr Principal Software Test Engineer at our company, you will lead a team of test engineers, develop and implement testing strategies for embedded systems, and collaborate with cross-functional teams. Your role will also include designing comprehensive test plans, adopting automated testing tools, documenting defects, and conducting root cause analysis to improve product quality.

To qualify for the Sr Principal Software Test Engineer role, candidates should have at least 10 years of experience in testing embedded systems, a strong understanding of embedded programming languages like C or C++, and experience with testing tools such as LabVIEW and JTAG. A Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related field is also essential, along with excellent communication and leadership skills.

A strong candidate for the Sr Principal Software Test Engineer position will possess extensive knowledge in embedded systems testing, excellent problem-solving skills, familiarity with communication protocols like I2C and SPI, and experience with automated testing methodologies. Additionally, proficiency in Japanese for business communications is a plus.

Yes, experience with compliance regulations and security frameworks is highly valued for the Sr Principal Software Test Engineer position. Familiarity with standards such as ISO/SAE 21434, NIST, and HIPAA can give candidates a significant advantage and enhances their ability to contribute to security-focused projects.

A typical day for a Senior Principal Software Test Engineer may involve leading team meetings, prioritizing testing tasks, collaborating on test requirement planning, developing test cases, executing tests, documenting findings, and mentoring junior team members. Staying current with industry best practices is also paramount, ensuring innovative solutions are integrated into processes.

When answering this question, highlight specific projects you've worked on, the technologies involved, and the challenges you faced. Detail your role and contributions, focusing on how your experience aligns with the demands of the Sr Principal Software Test Engineer position.

Discuss the importance of understanding project specifications and stakeholder requirements. Outline your approach to risk assessment, defining test cases, and selecting appropriate testing tools to ensure comprehensive coverage of both hardware and software components.

Share your experience with specific automated testing tools such as LabVIEW or JTAG. Provide examples of how you’ve utilized these tools in past projects to improve testing efficiency and coverage, emphasizing the benefits they brought to the overall testing process.

Explain your process for identifying, documenting, and communicating defects with development teams. Highlight the importance of clarity and timeliness, and how you ensure that defect resolution is tracked effectively to maintain product quality.

Emphasize your belief in cross-functional collaboration. Discuss how working with software and hardware engineers enhances testing outcomes and leads to more reliable products, ensuring every team member's expertise contributes to the end goal.

Mention specific resources such as industry publications, conferences, or community forums that you follow. Explain how continuous learning helps you incorporate new best practices and technologies into your testing methodologies.

Provide a detailed account of a specific defect, the steps you took to identify its root cause, and the multi-step resolution process developed through collaboration with your team. This showcases your problem-solving abilities and your approach to continuous improvement.

Share a specific instance where you guided a colleague or a group of engineers. Talk about the methods you used, the topics you focused on, and the positive outcomes that resulted from your mentorship efforts.

Discuss how you view testing as an integral part of the product development lifecycle. Mention your commitment to thorough testing processes, proactive defect management, and collaboration as key factors in maintaining high product quality standards.

Explain the strategies you use to manage competing priorities, such as risk assessment or alignment with project timelines. Give examples of how you've adapted to changes while ensuring all necessary testing is completed on schedule.