Sigma Design – Hiring for Prototype Software Test Engineer III @Burlingame, CA

About Company

Sigma Design is a heavy hitter in the product development world, based out of the Pacific Northwest but operating globally. They don’t just make one thing; they help diverse clients take ideas from a napkin sketch all the way to mass production. They are a firm of “makers” who value a “Concept through Production” philosophy. If you enjoy a culture of high standards, quarterly bonuses, and a competitive 401(k) match, this is a top-tier firm for engineering professionals.

Job Details

Job Description

As a Software Test Engineer III, you aren’t just running scripts—you are the Architect of Certainty. This role is specifically for the Prototype phase, which means you are working with hardware and software that might not even have a manual yet. You will lead the design of test systems that validate complex prototypes, ensuring they are scalable, reliable, and ready for the real world. Based in Burlingame, this is a hands-on, In-Office role where you will be the technical pivot point between hardware and software teams.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience: Minimum of 7 years of relevant work experience in software testing and automation.
• Programming: Advanced proficiency in Python (or similar high-level languages).
• Automation: Extensive experience designing and implementing automation frameworks and data pipelines.
• Hardware-Software Integration: Strong understanding of system-level debugging, embedded systems, and hardware debugging tools.
• Leadership: Demonstrated ability to own complex subsystems, lead technical efforts, and mentor junior staff.
• Communication: Excellent English verbal/written skills and the ability to engage directly with customers/stakeholders.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Architectural Design: Design and implement scalable test software frameworks from scratch for new prototype programs.
• Strategic Leadership: Define program-level test strategies, validation plans, and risk mitigation approaches.
• Advanced Automation: Develop automated test systems that can handle the unpredictability of a manufacturing/prototype environment.
• System Bring-up: Lead efforts to wake up new hardware, performing deep-dive troubleshooting and root cause analysis on complex failures.
• Data Pipelines: Architect and maintain pipelines to ensure test data is traceable, accurate, and usable for engineering teams.
• Design for Testability (DFT): Collaborate with product designers to influence the hardware/software architecture, making it easier to test and more reliable.
• Mentorship: Provide technical guidance to junior engineers and establish best practices for documentation and code quality.

How to Apply?

Role Summary

The Software Test Engineer III at Sigma Design is a “Hardware-Software Detective.” Because you are working on prototypes, the documentation is often thin, and the bugs are frequently deep in the silicon or the kernel. You are responsible for proving that the “impossible” concept actually works (or finding out exactly why it doesn’t).

Company Culture & Insights

Sigma Design maintains a culture of “Innovation and Accountability.” They offer the stability of an established firm with the “move fast” energy of a design consultancy. The Burlingame office environment is highly collaborative; because it is an in-office role, you’ll be hands-on with physical hardware daily. They value “Core Values”—which typically include integrity, respect, and professional excellence.

Why We Recommend This Job

• End-to-End Visibility: You see the entire lifecycle of a product, from a sketch on a napkin to a working prototype.
• Architectural Freedom: At Level III, you aren’t just following a test plan; you are building the infrastructure that defines how the test team operates.
• High Market Value: Experience in Prototype Testing and Hardware-Software Integration is a rare and highly sought-after niche in Silicon Valley.

Career Growth Potential

Staff Software Test Engineer: Overseeing multiple prototype programs and defining company-wide test standards.

Engineering Manager (Test/QA): Transitioning into people leadership while maintaining a high-level technical roadmap.

Systems Architect: Leveraging your deep knowledge of HW/SW failures to lead the actual design of future products.

Skills You’ll Gain

Salary & Benefits Info

• Salary Range: Typically $136,000 – $157,000 (Full range up to $178,000 based on experience).
• Retirement: 401(k) with up to 4% company match.
• Bonuses: Quarterly bonus program based on performance.
• Time Off: 15 days of accrued PTO plus 9 paid company holidays.
• Health: Multiple medical and dental options; voluntary vision, life, and disability insurance.

Interview Preparation

Frequently Asked Interview Questions

1. System-Level Debugging: “Walk me through your process for troubleshooting a failure where it’s unclear if the bug is in the firmware, the PCB, or your test script.”
2. Architecture: “How would you design a test framework that needs to be scalable across 10 different prototype iterations with varying hardware specs?”
3. Python Mastery: “How do you handle asynchronous hardware responses in a Python-based test framework? Explain your use of threading or asyncio in this context.”
4. Reliability: “If a prototype has a target reliability of $R$, how do you determine the sample size and test duration to prove it with a 95% confidence interval?”

Behavioral & Culture Questions

1. Mentoring: “Describe a time you had to guide a junior engineer through a complex technical roadblock without doing the work for them.”
2. Stakeholder Engagement: “How do you communicate a critical system-level risk to a customer who is pushing for a tight deadline?”
3. Core Values: “Sigma Design values teamwork. Tell me about a time you worked outside of your ‘official’ workgroup to ensure a project succeeded.”