Validation Test Engineer

DescriptionKforce is seeking a full-time Validation Test Engineer to support our enterprise technology client based out of Austin, TX.About the Role:The Server Storage engineering team develops emerging server storage solutions spanning Hardware RAID, Software RAID, Backplane, and PCIe Switch products within the Company's Server and Infrastructure Systems organization.As a Validation Test Engineer, you will work on special assignments and prototype projects of moderate complexity, executing both independent tasks and collaborative efforts with cross-functional teams including server, storage enclosure, operating system, systems management, and mechanical teams.Key Responsibilities:* Perform design verification and characterization on the company's server storage products* Execute functional, stress, endurance, and corner-case validation (hot-plug, fault injection, power cycling)* Troubleshoot and repair systems to the component level; Isolate issues across hardware, firmware, and software domains* Set up, configure, test, and reconfigure prototype systems and software* Triage issues found during testing and drive root cause analysis* Capture and analyze protocol traces using industry tools (e.g., LeCroy/Teledyne, Saleae analyzers)* Maintain lab infrastructure, ensure reproducible test environments, and track configuration changes* Modify or extend Python scripts for test automation and execute automated test suites* Document defects with clear reproduction steps, expected verses actual results, and supporting logs* Assist other engineers and technicians in completing assigned tasksRequirementsDesired Skills & Experience:* Experience with Dell PowerEdge or similar enterprise server platforms* Working knowledge of storage protocols (SAS, SATA, NVMe)* Understanding of PCIe architecture, device enumeration, and link behavior* Familiarity with SES, I2C, or enclosure/backplane management* Familiarity with RAID implementations (hardware and software) and storage subsystem behavior* Experience with Windows and Linux-based validation environments (RHEL, SLES, Ubuntu, VMware)Debug & Validation:* Ability to triage and debug failures using system logs, firmware traces, and protocol captures* Experience with validation tools such as sg3_utils, storcli/perccli, nvme-cli, and iDRAC* Ability to validate system behavior under stress and degraded conditionsAutomation & Scripting:* Ability to modify or extend existing Python scripts for test automation* Ability to execute automated test suites and improve test coverageAdditional Desirable Skills:* Ability to work independently on moderately complex assignments requiring judgment and problem-solving* Proactive identification of gaps or issues in test environments* Experience with PCIe switch technologies* Exposure to performance validation tools or workload generation (e.g., fio, vdbench)* Collaboration experience with firmware and hardware teams on early silicon and prototype validationJob TypeContractCompensation43 - $56