System Test Engineer

This open position is on the Quality Assurance (QA) team under the Research and Development organization of Checkpoint Systems. The System Test Engineer (STE) is responsible for validating complete hardware–software systems through rigorous system-level testing, with increasing emphasis on automation, repeatability, and integration with modern software development practices.

The System Test Engineer validates embedded Linux–based devices, including RFID readers and edge computing platforms, by executing and evolving test strategies that cover hardware, firmware, embedded services, networking, device configuration, upgrades, and end-to-end workflows. The role focuses on system behavior, robustness, performance, and risk-based validation, while incorporating automated testing and tooling where appropriate to improve coverage and efficiency.

The ideal candidate works across the full system stack—hardware, embedded firmware, Linux services, device management interfaces, APIs, and external integrations—and collaborates closely with Hardware, Embedded Software, Firmware, SDET, Mechanical, Manufacturing, Field Service, Product Management, and Compliance teams to ensure product readiness for internal release, field trials, and customer deployment.

This position requires strong analytical skills, structured test thinking, ownership of system quality, and the ability to troubleshoot complex cross-domain failures involving hardware, software, networking, and environmental variables. The System Test Engineer reports to the QA Manager and works in close partnership with development teams throughout the product lifecycle.

Job Duties:

• Develop, maintain, and execute system-level test plans, test cases, and requirement traceability matrices supporting validation of complex embedded systems.
• Perform end-to-end validation of device workflows, including provisioning, configuration, diagnostics, normal operation, upgrades, rollback, and recovery scenarios.
• Create and maintain manual and automated system test cases validating functional correctness, robustness, performance, stability, and error handling under real-world conditions.
• Collaborate with SDET and software engineering teams to extend automated regression coverage at the system and workflow level, including API-driven and scenario-based validation.
• Execute validation using real hardware, simulators, or hardware-in-the-loop configurations, as appropriate for test objectives.
• Validate embedded Linux services, startup sequencing, service dependencies, logging behavior, and system health indicators.
• Test system communications and integrations, including REST APIs, message-based protocols (e.g., MQTT), and device-to-device or device-to-cloud networking flows.
• Work with firmware and hardware engineering to validate low-level integration points, including drivers, sensors, interfaces, power behavior, and networking components.
• Perform regression testing to confirm functionality, performance, and reliability are preserved across software, firmware, and configuration updates.
• Support Manufacturing and Operations by validating factory provisioning, configuration, and installation processes for embedded devices.
• Participate in beta programs and field support by reproducing customer-reported issues, validating fixes, and converting high-value scenarios into repeatable test cases.
• Track, document, and communicate defects with clear reproduction steps, logs, measurements, and validation evidence, support triage and root cause analysis with development teams.
• Coordinate and participate in validation reviews, defect reviews, and release readiness assessments with cross-functional stakeholders.
• Document test strategies, test results, risks, limitations, and release validation status to support informed go/no-go decisions.
• Provide validation estimates, track progress, communicate risks, and support project planning and execution.

Education:

• Bachelor of Science degree in an Engineering discipline (Electrical, Computer, Software, or related), or equivalent professional experience.
• Candidates without formal engineering education must demonstrate that system-level testing or engineering work has been a primary professional responsibility.

Experience:

• 4+ years of experience in system testing, validation engineering, or QA roles involving integrated hardware–software systems.
• Experience testing systems composed of embedded devices, electronics, networking hardware, and software applications.
• Hands-on experience executing validation on physical hardware and diagnosing failures across hardware, firmware, and software layers.
• Prior experience working with test management tools (e.g., PractiTest or equivalent) is a strong plus.
• Exposure to test automation, scripting, or close collaboration with SDET / automation engineers is highly desirable.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: 

• Experience with embedded Linux (system services, boot/startup sequencing, package management, log analysis).
• Scripting or automation experience (e.g., Python, Bash) to accelerate validation, data collection, and regression testing.
• Experience with performance test tools.
• Familiarity with CI/CD concepts and integrating automated tests into build and release pipelines (e.g., Jenkins, GitLab CI, Azure DevOps).
• Working knowledge of networking fundamentals and troubleshooting (TCP/IP, DHCP, DNS, routing, firewalls; Wireshark/tcpdump).
• Experience testing REST APIs and message-based protocols (e.g., MQTT) using tools like Postman, curl, or custom clients.
• Exposure to hardware bring-up or debugging (serial console/JTAG basics), sensors/interfaces (I2C/SPI/UART), and power-cycle/upgrade recovery testing.
• Experience with virtualization/containers and test environments (Docker, VMs) to support scalable system testing.
• Domain exposure to RFID/IoT/edge devices, device management, and field deployment considerations is a plus.

Job Type: Full-Time - Exempt

Pay: $85,000 - $102,000

Benefits:

• 401 (k)
• 401 (k) Matching
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Discount
• Paid Time Off
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Savings Account

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In office; Thorofare, NJ