Job Description:

Embedded Test Lead - Job Description

At Nextpower, we are leading in the energy transition, providing the most comprehensive portfolio of intelligent solar tracker and control software solutions for solar power plants, as well as strategic services to capture the full value of solar power plants for our customers. Our talented worldwide teams are transforming PV plant performance every day with smart technology, data monitoring and analysis services.

As a company driving the clean energy transition, sustainability is not just a word. It's a core part of our business and our operations. Our sustainability efforts are based on five cornerstones: People, Community, Environment, Innovation, and Integrity. We are creative, collaborative, passionate and problem-solvers from diverse backgrounds, driven by our shared mission to provide smart solar and software solutions for our customers and to mitigate climate change for future generations. Make your mark with Nextpower.

The Embedded Test Lead will be based in Hyderabad. In this position, you will report to the Senior Embedded Test Manager. You will provide technical leadership for firmware validation across NCU, SPC and other embedded controller platforms, owning test strategy, release qualification, execution planning, defect analysis and quality reporting. The role focuses on ensuring product quality and release confidence through functional, integration, regression, negative, cybersecurity and system-level validation across embedded Linux and microcontroller-based products using interfaces such as Zigbee, Bluetooth, RS232, RS485, Ethernet and Modbus.

We are looking for someone who demonstrates:

• Technical leadership, ownership and mentoring
• Passionate drive to improve product quality and test effectiveness
• Integrity, accountability and strong execution discipline
• Test Strategy, Release Planning & Risk-Based Validation
• Strong customer and product-quality focus
• Collaborative cross-functional teamwork
• Continuous improvement, learning and measurable delivery

Here is a glimpse of what you’ll do…

• Own end-to-end firmware test planning and release qualification for assigned embedded controller platforms, including scope definition, estimation, risk assessment, execution tracking and final test reporting.
• Lead functional, integration, regression, negative and system-level validation across multiple hardware and firmware versions, ensuring critical customer and field use cases are covered before release.
• Provide technical guidance to test engineers, review test scenarios and results, support onboarding and knowledge sharing, and help the team resolve blockers during high-priority release cycles.
• Drive requirements-based testing and traceability using JAMA or equivalent tools, ensuring new features, change requests, defects and firmware requirements are mapped to appropriate validation coverage.
• Lead validation of cybersecurity, communication and fault-handling features including port and service hardening, access/security behavior, Zigbee, Ethernet, Modbus, serial interfaces, weather inputs, stow logic and firmware upgrade/downgrade scenarios.
• Own defect identification, reproduction, triage and root-cause collaboration with Firmware, Hardware, Product, Security and Field teams; clearly communicate release risks, blockers and quality recommendations to stakeholders.
• Partner with automation engineers to identify high-value regression candidates, review automated coverage and failures, improve testability, and strengthen CI/CD-based validation while maintaining reliable manual coverage for hardware-dependent scenarios.

Here is some of what you’ll need (required)…

• Bachelor’s degree in Electronics, Electrical, Computer Science or equivalent discipline with 5-8yrs years of relevant embedded firmware validation experience and demonstrated technical ownership or lead responsibilities.
• Demonstrated experience leading firmware test execution across multiple projects or releases, including planning, work coordination, technical reviews, risk identification and stakeholder communication.
• Strong hands-on experience in embedded firmware testing covering functional, integration, regression, negative and system-level validation on Linux- or microcontroller-based products.
• Strong knowledge of embedded controllers, firmware architecture, hardware-software integration, firmware upgrade/downgrade, fault handling, device configuration and failure analysis.
• Hands-on experience validating communication protocols and interfaces such as RS232/485, Ethernet, Zigbee, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Modbus.
• Experience with requirements traceability and test/defect management tools such as JAMA, Jira or equivalent, including test-case reviews, coverage tracking and release reporting.
• Experience validating cybersecurity and robustness scenarios such as service/port restrictions, authentication or access controls, secure communication behavior and negative/fault-injection cases is highly desirable.
• Strong debugging, troubleshooting and root-cause analysis skills with the ability to reproduce complex firmware, hardware and system issues and collaborate effectively with development teams.
• Working knowledge of test automation, Python, LabVIEW/TestStand, CI/CD pipelines or automated regression environments is desirable, with the ability to identify suitable candidates for automation.
• Ability to mentor engineers, coordinate validation across concurrent releases, communicate technical risks clearly, and continuously improve test coverage, execution efficiency, defect detection and release quality.

Nextpower is an Equal Opportunity Employer and employment selection decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. Nextpower does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of: age, race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability, pregnancy status or any other status protected by law.

Nextpower provides reasonable accommodation so that qualified applicants with a disability may participate in the selection process. Please state your request for assistance in your message. Only reasonable accommodation requests related to applying for a specific position within NX will be reviewed at the e-mail address. Thank you for considering a career with Nextpower.

At Nextpower, we are driving the global energy transition with an integrated clean energy technology platform that combines intelligent structural, electrical, and digital solutions for utility-scale power plants. Our comprehensive portfolio enables faster project delivery, higher performance, and greater reliability, helping our customers capture the full value of solar power. Our talented worldwide teams are redefining how solar power plants are designed, built, and operated every day with smart technology, data-driven insights, and advanced automation. Together, we’re building the foundation for the world’s next generation of clean energy infrastructure.

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