Validation Test Engineer

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Kforce is seeking a full-time Validation Test Engineer to support our enterprise technology client based out of Austin, TX.

About the Role:
The Server Storage engineering team develops emerging server storage solutions spanning Hardware RAID, Software RAID, Backplane, and PCIe Switch products within the Company's Server and Infrastructure Systems organization.

As a Validation Test Engineer, you will work on special assignments and prototype projects of moderate complexity, executing both independent tasks and collaborative efforts with cross-functional teams including server, storage enclosure, operating system, systems management, and mechanical teams.

Key Responsibilities:
* Perform design verification and characterization on the company's server storage products
* Execute functional, stress, endurance, and corner-case validation (hot-plug, fault injection, power cycling)
* Troubleshoot and repair systems to the component level; Isolate issues across hardware, firmware, and software domains
* Set up, configure, test, and reconfigure prototype systems and software
* Triage issues found during testing and drive root cause analysis
* Capture and analyze protocol traces using industry tools (e.g., LeCroy/Teledyne, Saleae analyzers)
* Maintain lab infrastructure, ensure reproducible test environments, and track configuration changes
* Modify or extend Python scripts for test automation and execute automated test suites
* Document defects with clear reproduction steps, expected verses actual results, and supporting logs
* Assist other engineers and technicians in completing assigned tasks

REQUIREMENTS:
Desired Skills & Experience:
* Experience with Dell PowerEdge or similar enterprise server platforms
* Working knowledge of storage protocols (SAS, SATA, NVMe)
* Understanding of PCIe architecture, device enumeration, and link behavior
* Familiarity with SES, I2C, or enclosure/backplane management
* Familiarity with RAID implementations (hardware and software) and storage subsystem behavior
* Experience with Windows and Linux-based validation environments (RHEL, SLES, Ubuntu, VMware)

Debug & Validation:
* Ability to triage and debug failures using system logs, firmware traces, and protocol captures
* Experience with validation tools such as sg3_utils, storcli/perccli, nvme-cli, and iDRAC
* Ability to validate system behavior under stress and degraded conditions

Automation & Scripting:
* Ability to modify or extend existing Python scripts for test automation
* Ability to execute automated test suites and improve test coverage

Additional Desirable Skills:
* Ability to work independently on moderately complex assignments requiring judgment and problem-solving
* Proactive identification of gaps or issues in test environments
* Experience with PCIe switch technologies
* Exposure to performance validation tools or workload generation (e.g., fio, vdbench)
* Collaboration experience with firmware and hardware teams on early silicon and prototype validation

The pay range is the lowest to highest compensation we reasonably in good faith believe we would pay at posting for this role. We may ultimately pay more or less than this range. Employee pay is based on factors like relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, location, performance, union contract and business needs. This range may be modified in the future.

We offer comprehensive benefits including medical/dental/vision insurance, HSA, FSA, 401(k), and life, disability & ADD insurance to eligible employees. Salaried personnel receive paid time off. Hourly employees are not eligible for paid time off unless required by law. Hourly employees on a Service Contract Act project are eligible for paid sick leave.

Note: Pay is not considered compensation until it is earned, vested and determinable. The amount and availability of any compensation remains in Kforce's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified in its discretion consistent with the law.

This job is not eligible for bonuses, incentives or commissions.

Kforce is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.

By clicking ?Apply Today? you agree to receive calls, AI-generated calls, text messages or emails from Kforce and its affiliates, and service providers. Note that if you choose to communicate with Kforce via text messaging the frequency may vary, and message and data rates may apply. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. You will always have the right to cease communicating via text by using key words such as STOP.