Description

Staff Firmware DVT Engineer

Location: Austin, Texas (5 days/week on-site)

About Enphase Energy

Enphase Energy is the fastest-growing inverter and energy storage company in the world. By combining the power of solar energy with proven communications technology, Enphase makes solar power systems more productive, reliable, smart, and safe — increasing the energy harvest of solar panels by up to 25 percent. Our microinverter systems are fundamentally changing how solar systems function, and in doing so, reshaping the solar industry itself.

As we continue to grow, we're building teams of talented contributors and leaders who design, develop, and manufacture next-generation solar and storage technologies. Our work environment is fast-paced, collaborative, and full of exciting new projects.

About the Role

This position sits within our Testing group, where you will work with a small team to develop fully functional prototypes that demonstrate new, advanced operation and control for autonomous grid connection, management, and regulation.

As a Staff Firmware DVT (Design Verification Test) Engineer, you will own and drive the verification and test of Enphase's inverter firmware, gateway, and cloud functions and communications — ensuring they meet engineering requirements, design specifications, and worldwide safety and grid standards. You will also coach and mentor other engineers and contribute to the team's technical direction.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and drive test strategies and plans to verify that Enphase's inverter firmware, gateway, and cloud functions and communications perform per engineering requirements and design specifications.
• Develop and execute test strategies to ensure safety and optimal functionality of Enphase's firmware to meet worldwide standards.
• Design and implement automated test systems in Python and Ruby, enabling continuous integration for the firmware development team.
• Validate firmware communication interfaces and protocols (e.g., Ethernet/TCP-IP, Modbus/TCP, I2C, SPI, UART, SMBus, and power line carrier) using protocol and logic analyzers.
• Collaborate with hardware and firmware engineers to ensure firmware is designed for test.
• Confer with Quality Assurance, Development, and Product Management on project planning, and ensure effective testing of Enphase's firmware within design constraints.
• Use test automation, power meters, oscilloscopes, DC supplies, and other lab test equipment to ensure complete functional, efficiency, and safety test coverage for Enphase's hardware and firmware.
• Coach and train new members of the technical staff on Enphase's test equipment, procedures, and automation software.
• Provide technical leadership and mentor junior engineers.

Required Qualifications

• BS/MS in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, and/or Computer Science.
• 8+ years of experience in a similar role as an embedded firmware test/DVT/QA engineer.
• Strong Python programming for controlling test equipment, test framework development, and test automation, including Python bindings for Linux and communication packages (TCP/IP sockets, SMBus, pyModbusTCP, PiCloud, etc.).
• Functional validation experience with Ethernet/I2C/SPI/UART/power line carrier-based communication systems, and use of protocol and logic analyzers.
• Experience across the stages of embedded firmware (preferably Linux/RTOS-based) design, implementation, test, deployment, and maintenance.
• Experience with firmware integration and testing.
• Experience with 800V–1500V high-voltage DC and 277/480V three-phase AC voltages.
• Demonstrated technical leadership: leading firmware test strategy, influencing design-for-test, and mentoring engineers.

What Will Make You Stand Out

• Basic knowledge of relevant worldwide standards such as IEEE 1547, 1741 SA, CA Rule 21, HECO SRD 1.1, AS/NZS 4777.2:2015, SAND2013-9875, UK G83/2, and Sandia standards.
• Knowledge of worldwide advanced grid functions and fault conditions.
• Familiarity with AC grid simulators and solar panel simulators.

Work Location

This role requires being on-site at our Austin, Texas office 5 days per week.