Functional Tester Design Engineer

Base is America’s next-generation power company. We’re rebuilding the foundation of modern civilization–electricity–by deploying a vast network of distributed batteries that is transforming today’s fragile, centralized grid into a resilient and abundant system. We are engineers, operators, and creatives solving some of the most complex, interdisciplinary challenges of our time.

We are seeking a Functional Test Design Engineer to own the design, maintenance, and continuous improvement of end-of-line (EOL) functional testers for high-volume electromechanical assemblies. This is a hands-on EE role spanning the full range of test development—from standing up a prototype tester in two weeks to optimizing a high-volume station that is bottlenecked on cycle time. The majority of the work is keeping production lines running well: debugging failures, improving yield, and reducing false rejects, with new-tester development making up the remainder.

What You’ll Do

• Production Support (primary focus): Own day-to-day support of EOL functional testers on the production floor. Debug test failures, analyze yield, root-cause false rejects, and improve takt time to keep high-volume lines running reliably.

• Tester Design: Perform any EE design required to build a functional tester—schematic capture, PCBA design, fixturing, harnessing, power, and interconnect. Scope ranges from quick-turn prototype testers to cycle-time-optimized high-volume stations.

• Test Software: For prototype testers - develop and maintain functional test software, primarily in Python on Linux. For production testers - write requirements and work with vendors or other team members at Base for tester firmware.Scope for testers is typically: Implement the core test flow: power up the board, load firmware, exercise the board, verify outputs against spec, and upload results to the test database.

• Instrumentation & Measurement: Select and integrate the right measurement approach for each test—DAQ, programmable loads, source meters, sensors, and CAN/serial comms to the DUT. Apply sound judgment on how to implement and interface sensors of various types.

• Data & Traceability: Ensure test data is captured accurately and reliably uploaded to the test database - which may be local or at a supplier, supporting downstream yield analysis and traceability.

• Collaboration: Work closely with hardware, firmware, and manufacturing teams to define test coverage, resolve issues, and feed production findings back into product design.

What You'll Bring

• 2–5 years of experience designing functional or end-of-line testers for electromechanical assemblies, ideally in a high-volume manufacturing environment.

• Strong EE fundamentals with the ability to independently perform the hardware design needed to build a tester—schematics, PCBA, fixturing, power, and interconnect.

• Proficiency in Python on Linux for test automation, including instrument control and test sequencing.

• Hands-on experience with measurement and instrumentation: DAQ systems, programmable loads, source meters, and digital comms (CAN, serial) to a device under test.

• Solid grasp of functional test methodology—power-up, firmware loading, I/O exercise, and output verification against spec.

• Strong debugging skills across hardware, firmware, and software to quickly root-cause failures on a live production line.

• Attention to detail in test execution, data integrity, and documentation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience optimizing high-volume testers for cycle time and throughput.

• Familiarity with test data infrastructure and databases for storing and analyzing production results.

• Experience implementing and interfacing a variety of sensor types in a test context.

• Background reducing false-reject rates and improving yield through measurement and fixture improvements.

• Experience standing up testers quickly for prototype or early-production builds.

• Strong communication skills and a track record of cross-functional work with hardware, firmware, and manufacturing teams.

Please note: Base is a startup, which means priorities shift and evolve quickly. Your role may expand or change based on the needs of the business at any given time, so the responsibilities listed may not be exhaustive.

• First Principles Thinking: Question assumptions. Principles > rules.

• Operate at Base Pace: Focus on what matters, act quickly, and learn by doing.

• Give & Get Feedback: Be direct, be humble, and maintain a growth mindset.

• Everyone’s an Owner: Follow through on commitments and own results.

• Strong Opinions, Loosely Held: Drive clarity and make calls with imperfect information.

• Committed to the Mission: Rebuilding the grid is a big challenge. We work hard because we care deeply about the impact we’re creating. We work in-person. It’s not a 9-to-5. We are all-in.

• Fun & Optimism Coexist with Grit: Collaboration and celebration coincide with the intensity of building real things.