Test & Validation Engineer
Cardiff (site-based)
6 months initially (with strong likelihood of extension beyond 12 months)
Role Overview
An opportunity has arisen for a practical, hands-on Test & Validation Engineer
to contribute to the verification and validation of a newly developed combined hardware and software solution.
You will operate as part of a small, dedicated team tasked with building and delivering comprehensive quality assurance activities across the full product lifecycle.
The role focuses on a top-down, user-centric testing approach, blending exploratory testing, full-system validation, and some level of automation to uncover issues that may occur in real-world usage before release.
Core Responsibilities
* Carry out full system-level testing covering hardware components, software, and user interaction points
* Detect, document, and monitor defects and usability concerns from an end-user perspective
* Create, maintain, and execute test documentation, including plans, scenarios, and cases
* Undertake hands-on testing, including exploratory and black-box techniques
* Assist with automation efforts, such as scripting or simple hardware-assisted testing setups
* Configure and manage test labs and environments across different platforms
* Diagnose faults and collaborate with engineering teams to resolve issues
* Assemble and modify test setups, including basic hardware adjustments where needed
* Conduct regression testing to ensure stability ahead of releases
Essential Experience
* Academic or practical background in electronics, electrical engineering, or similar discipline
* Proven exposure to system or product-level testing/validation
* A genuine interest in fault-finding and pushing products to failure points
* Confidence working across both physical devices and software interfaces
* Familiarity with scripting languages (e.g. Python) or entry-level automation tools
* Understanding of typical test environments, including operating systems and web-based interfaces
* Ability to manage workload independently with minimal direction
Additional / Beneficial Skills
* Knowledge of automation frameworks or microcontroller-based testing
* Basic understanding of networked systems (IP connectivity)
* Experience working within Agile or Lean delivery models
* Practical lab skills such as soldering or basic hardware modification
Key Attributes
* Naturally curious with a problem-solving mindset
* Detail-oriented, with a strong focus on end-user experience and quality
* Comfortable working in a fast-paced, self-managed team environment
* Clear and confident communicator, able to explain technical issues effectively