Systems Test Engineer

Job Title: Systems Test Engineer

Location: US-IL-Skokie

Job Type: Contract to hire

Overview:

We are looking for a Systems Test Engineer, that will be driving world-class audio performance!

Client is seeking a hands-onSystems Test Engineerto champion the performance, reliability, and overall user experience of our industry-leading professional wireless microphone systems. In this role, you will take ownership of end-to-end system quality, ensuring seamless integration across receivers, transmitters, RF performance, audio/DSP processing, firmware, networking, control software, and the broader ecosystem.

This is a unique opportunity to directly influence the performance and dependability of products trusted globally, driving innovation while upholding client s reputation for excellence in professional audio.

This position will be onsite (5 days/week) in our Skokie, IL office.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Wireless Communications, Music Technology, or a related field required. A Master s degree is a plus.
• 10+ years of experience in system verification, quality assurance, hardware testing, software testing, or related disciplines. Experience in professional audio, wireless systems, RF electronics, or similar industries is strongly preferred.
• Direct experience with professional wireless audio systems and/or RF products is highly desirable.

Technical Expertise

• Strong knowledge of UHF RF principles, wireless microphone systems, frequency coordination, spectrum management, TV band planning, intermodulation, and wireless deployment best practices.
• Hands-on experience testing wireless transmitters, receivers, battery systems, RF performance, range, diversity systems, antenna distribution, and diagnosing RF issues such as interference, multipath, and dropouts.
• Expertise in digital wireless audio systems, including digital modulation, error correction, latency analysis, dropout recovery, audio quality validation, and AES-256 encryption verification.
• Strong understanding of microphone acoustics, including frequency response, tonal consistency, self-noise, dynamic range, SPL handling, and low-latency audio performance.
• Knowledge of audio signal processing, including companding, A/D and D/A conversion, gain structure, DSP features, encryption impacts, and maintaining audio integrity.
• Experience with networked audio and device management, including Dante , AES67, QoS, device synchronization, remote configuration, firmware updates, and troubleshooting Ethernet/TCP/IP-based audio networks.

Testing & Quality

• Proficient in functional, regression, exploratory, stress, reliability, and environmental testing.
• Skilled at designing real-world test scenarios and evaluating complex interactions across RF, audio, and networking domains.
• Experienced with professional test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, audio analyzers, oscilloscopes, and network analysis tools.
• Proficient with defect tracking and test management tools (e.g., JIRA), with strong documentation and defect-reporting skills.

Professional Competencies

• Strong customer focus with a commitment to reliability, performance, and exceptional user experience in mission-critical environments.
• Passionate about identifying defects, validating edge cases, and proactively improving product quality.
• Demonstrated ownership, accountability, and commitment to continuous improvement.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly communicate technical findings to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively across Hardware, RF, Firmware, Software, Product Management, and Customer Support teams, using a data-driven approach to drive quality improvements.