Senior Systems Test Engineer

Overview

TA Instruments, a leader in designing and developing high-performance analytical instruments, is seeking a Systems Test Engineer to join our dynamic engineering team. In this role, you will ensure our cutting-edge scientific instruments and systems' quality, performance, and reliability. You will work closely with hardware, firmware, and software engineering teams to develop and execute rigorous test procedures, ensuring our products meet the highest standards of precision and reliability.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the design, development, and execution of comprehensive test plans and strategies for complex scientific instruments, including thermal analyzers, rheometers, and dynamic mechanical analyzers (DMA).
• Perform integration, system, functional, and regression testing to validate the performance of instrument systems, including both hardware and software components.
• Develop and implement automated test scripts and tools to streamline testing processes and ensure consistency across test cycles.
• Collaborate with hardware, firmware, and software engineers to identify and resolve product design, functionality, and performance issues.
• Conduct performance and reliability testing for scientific instruments, ensuring that the instruments meet operational standards such as accuracy, precision, and stability under various testing conditions.
• Utilize advanced scientific measurement equipment (e.g., oscilloscopes, signal generators, temperature chambers) to troubleshoot and verify hardware components.
• Perform system-level testing, ensuring that embedded firmware and user-facing software interfaces operate seamlessly with the instrument hardware.
• Conduct testing for environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, humidity, vibration) to validate instrument performance.
• Mentor and train junior engineers and new team members in best practices for testing complex systems and scientific instrumentation.
• Document test results thoroughly, create detailed test reports, and present findings to internal teams and stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain testing tools, testbeds, and setups to ensure they are fully functional and up to date with the latest product changes.
• Support the development of custom test equipment or fixtures required for specialized product testing.
• Ensure all testing processes adhere to industry standards and regulations, including ISO 9001, GLP (Good Laboratory Practices), and other relevant quality standards.

Qualifications

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
• 5 years of experience in systems testing, preferably focusing on scientific instruments, precision equipment, or complex electromechanical systems.
• Strong experience with embedded systems testing, including firmware and software validation for integrated scientific instruments.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, C/C , or LabVIEW for automating test processes and data collection.
• Experience with scientific instruments and testing methods for thermal analysis, rheology, or mechanical testing (e.g., DMA, TGA, DSC) is highly preferred.
• Expertise in using advanced measurement tools (e.g., oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, and signal generators) to debug and validate instrument systems.
• Familiarity with testing methodologies, including functional, integration, stress, and performance testing for precision instruments.
• Knowledge of communication protocols (e.g., RS-232, USB, Ethernet) used in scientific instrumentation and experience validating data communications.
• Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills, especially in a multi-disciplinary environment.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work effectively across teams and present technical findings to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to mentor junior engineers, lead by example, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
• Experience with data analysis and report generation software (e.g., MATLAB, Excel, custom tools) is a plus.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with using environmental chambers, vibration tables, and other test equipment to simulate real-world conditions for scientific instruments.
• Knowledge of quality management systems (e.g., ISO 9001, Six Sigma) and industry standards for scientific instrumentation.
• Experience with LabVIEW or other software tools for test automation and data acquisition in a laboratory setting.
• Certification in testing methodologies (e.g., ISTQB, Six Sigma) is a plus.

Company Description

Waters Corporation (NYSE: WAT), the world's leading specialty measurement company, has pioneered chromatography, mass spectrometry and thermal analysis innovations serving the life, materials, and food sciences for over 60 years. With approximately 8,000 employees worldwide, Waters operates directly in 35 countries, including 15 manufacturing facilities, with products available in more than 100 countries. Our team focuses on creating business advantages for laboratory-dependent organizations to enable significant advancement in healthcare delivery, environmental management, food safety, and water quality.   

Working at Waters enables our employees to unlock the potential of their careers. Our global team is driven by purpose. We strive to be better, learn and improve every day in everything we do. We’re the problem solvers and innovators that aren’t afraid to take risks to transform the world of human health and well-being. We’re all in it together delivering benefit as one to provide the insights needed today in order to solve the challenges of tomorrow. 

Diversity and inclusion are fundamental to our core values at Waters Corporation. It is our responsibility to actively implement programs and practices to drive inclusive behavior and increase diversity across the organization. We are united by diversity and thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, our products, our customers and our community. Waters is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or protected Veteran status.