Toptal: Senior Firmware QA Engineer

The Senior Firmware QA Engineer role requires extensive experience in quality assurance specifically focused on firmware development. A senior-level candidate is expected to have deep expertise in firmware testing methodologies, including functional, regression, integration, and system-level testing. Proficiency in developing and executing automated test scripts is essential, often using scripting languages or specialized QA tools tailored for embedded systems. Strong knowledge of embedded systems, microcontrollers, and hardware-software interaction is critical to effectively validate firmware performance and reliability. Experience with debugging tools, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, and test automation frameworks is highly valuable. The role demands a thorough understanding of software development life cycles (SDLC) and quality assurance processes within firmware projects, ensuring compliance with industry standards and best practices. Senior engineers should demonstrate leadership in designing test plans, mentoring junior team members, and collaborating cross-functionally with firmware developers, hardware engineers, and product managers to identify and resolve defects early. Familiarity with version control systems, continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines, and defect tracking tools is expected. While specific educational requirements are not detailed, a strong technical background in computer engineering, electrical engineering, or related fields typically supports success in this position. Overall, the ideal candidate combines advanced technical skills in embedded firmware QA with strategic oversight capabilities to enhance product quality and reliability in complex hardware-software environments.