Automation Test Engineer

Molex is seeking a motivated and self-driven Automation Test Engineer to join our team in Naperville, IL. This role is responsible for designing and developing End of Line (EOL) test solutions for various products and electronic assemblies on both flexible and rigid circuit boards. We are designing more diverse products that include wireless communications that require more complex automated test solutions. We are seeking someone with a passion for developing EOL test solutions using PC-based software to control test equipment. These EOL solutions will be stand-alone tests and others that integrate into an automated process flow that will include PLC-based robotic handling.

This role will report into the engineering team and will work directly with design engineers, process engineers, manufacturing integration engineers, and operators. As needed, the candidate will support existing test solutions and associated equipment. This person will integrate their test solutions into the manufacturing environment and will train operators to run the test. This person is hands-on with technical capabilities for designing, building, and debugging EOL test solutions.

Products that require testing include BLE smart labels, medical skin patches, and GPS tracking devices. Devices will have embedded microcontrollers, sensors, and wireless communications (BLE, Lora, cellular). Other types of products include user interfaces with membrane switches, dome arrays, capacitive touch, light sensors, and LEDs.

What You Will Do in Your Role

• Learn existing test solutions: Checksum system (bed-of-nails tester), a Mistrel system (legacy membrane switch test), and Cirrus tester (low level circuit resistance). The Checksum system resides at the end of an SMT line, while the other two are off-line test systems. All three legacy test systems have traditionally been used to test user interface products while newer products have required designing custom EOL solutions.
• Document & define custom test solutions prior to proceeding with design. Help make determination on whether to personally build the test solution, or work with outside suppliers to develop test solutions. In later case, challenge supplier during development process to ensure lowest cost and optimal solution.
• Estimate timelines for new test development based on existing project workload.
• Develop test firmware, build out test solutions and create unique EOL tests for a production test environment.
• Write custom test executables with simple GUI for operator use. Write code that controls test equipment to take critical data measurements. Setup process limits that ensure shipping good product while eliminating nuisance failures.
• Ability to analyze statistical data related to test measurements. Knowledge of six sigma principles such as Cpk, and ability to quantify and explain to others.
• Debug test solutions by stepping through code using a debugger and document and explain your software code to others.

• Provide directions to production personnel to hand off a validated final EOL test solution.
• Study specifications for electronic parts to understand how to program and/or validate.
• Research new technologies for test solutions and propose ideas to advance our capabilities to stay ahead in the market.
• Support performing bench level testing of prototypes with design engineers; assist execution of design validation (DV) and production validation (PV) tests.
• Create technical documents based on project needs such as a Test Plans, Test Reports, Instruction Line Docs, etc.
• Ability to use DMM, oscilloscopes, bench supplies, electronic loads, etc and knowledge of how to interface them with a PC running your test code.

The Experience You Will Bring

Requirements:

• Associate's degree in one of the following: Electrical Engineering Technology, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or similar.
• 5+ years experience
• Strong software coding experience for test development (C, Python, etc.)
• Experience designing EOL test solutions in an automated environment.
• Knowledge of six-sigma principles and analyzing test results.
• Understanding of circuits; ability to read schematics.
• Strong bench level skills: soldering, wiring

What Will Put You Ahead

• Batchelor's degree in one of the following: Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, Computer Science, or similar.
• 10+ years of experience
• Expert in writing software for test development.
• Experience with wireless product testing (BLE, Lora, Cellular)
• Certifications in Lean Six Sigma or Data Analytics
• Understanding of Silver Printed circuits and Flexible printed circuit technologies
• Experience with Circuit Debug Tools